Web Design Blog: 10/25/09

Sunday, October 25, 2009

HTML 5 versus Flash

The current standard: HTML 4.01

HTML 4.01, the current version of HTML that we use to create web pages and incorporate technologies such as CSS and JavaScript, has been around since December of 1999. The standard has certainly been a huge success, in that it represents a markup language which can work across all browsers and operating systems. Still, there are issues which HTML 4.01 simply wasn’t designed to address.

One of the most significant of these issues is the use of video on the Web.

If you want to include video on your Web page, HTML 4.01 provides no standardized way to do so. To display video, we’re dependant upon plugin applications, such as the Adobe Flash plugin (which plays .FLV formatted video), Windows Media Player (which plays .WMV formatted video), and Apple QuickTime (which plays .MOV and .MP4 formatted video).

In the end, this has created a difficult choice for Web designers. Using .FLV is generally considered the safest option, since the Flash plugin is so widely distributed (thanks to its use on sites such as YouTube and MySpace). Using MP4 is often considered the highest quality option, but that extra quality becomes irrelevant if your end user doesn’t have a browser plugin which can play MP4 video. As happens so often in Web design, we frequently compromise with a “lowest common denominator” solution: We use Flash. Even if your video has to take a quality hit, at least everyone will be able to play the video.

The HTML 5 proposal

HTML 5 proposes a unique solution to the video issue: include a video compression codec as part of the HTML standard. The codec will then be built into all new browsers. As a result, all browsers on all operating systems would be able to play video encoded using a single high quality codec. Video plugins would no longer be required, and proprietary formats delivering questionable quality (yes, I’m talking about Flash) would become a thing of the past. It would be a huge victory, not only for fans of high quality video, but for those of us who are also fans of open source and open standard development.

As you might have guessed, there is a stumbling block to be overcome: which codec should become the standard? Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mozilla, and Opera all have representatives participating in the HTML 5 discussions. The Register reports that Google, Mozilla, and Opera support using the Ogg Theora codec, while Apple supports using the H.264 codec, and Microsoft remains unusually quiet on the issue (perhaps because a standard codec could render their Silverlight plugin irrelevant). Alternatively, The Register suggests that Google could open source their recently acquired On2 codecs, thus providing a resolution, and playing the role of open source hero at the same time.

Looking ahead

HTML 5 is not something that we’ll be able to fully take advantage of in the near future. Of course, a part of the problem is debate among the companies that must accept the standard in order for it to work. But another major issue is that HTML 5 is not just HTML 4.01 plus video. HTML 5 is expected to include support for new and open source audio, 2D drawing, 3D animation, and even application building.

The complexities of HTML 5 have its implementation a long way off: a final standard isn’t expected until 2012. But you won’t have to wait that long to start experimenting with HTML 5 technologies. Apple has already begun implementing some proposed HTML 5 features in the Safari 4 Web browser (link requires Safari 4). Google has a YouTube page demonstrating HTML 5 features, including 3D animation (link requires Google Chrome or Safari 4). Also, Google’s AppSpot has an HTML 5 Adventures page which includes demos which work in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari, plus the Android 1.1+ and iPhone 3.x mobile devices.

Above: Google’s HTML 5 YouTube page.

If you’re a fan of Adobe, don’t feel too bad about their potential loss of Flash revenue. Just as Adobe markets Dreamweaver for HTML development, they will surely market an updated version of Dreamweaver for HTML 5 development, plus new tools aimed at designing for the HTML 5 drawing and animation features. The good news for all of us is that Adobe will have competition from both the corporate and open source communities, making HTML 5 design a much more level playing field than that of Flash design.

Sculpture design selected for Wheat Ridge public art

Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission selects sculpture design for mayor's public art Initiative

Sculpture will soar 17 feet in the future park at 38th and Kipling

The city of Wheat Ridge mayor's office in partnership with the Cultural Commission and the Wheat Ridge Foundation began fundraising efforts to acquire public art in 2009.

Over the summer, the Cultural Commission convened an Arts Selection Committee consisting of select members of the Cultural Commission, interested citizens, representatives from the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, an art consultant, a sculptor with extensive public art experience, and the sculptor, Kevin Robb.

The Commission selected the design for the sculpture from a wide array of sketches provided by the artist and determined the future placement of this sculpture in the future park at 38th and Kipling. The sculpture location is planned for the west side of the park.

The sculpture will soar 17 feet into the air and be constructed with stainless steel.

"The community is very excited about this sculpture," said Mayor Jerry DiTullio. "To date $10,265 in private donations has been raised and we need your support in raising additional funds."

Approximately $50,000 is needed in donations for the planned sculpture. In early 2009, Samuel, Son & Co., Inc., a local stainless steel supplier, made an in-kind donation of steel valued at $10,000 for the project. Approximately $29,735 is still needed to fund the creation of the Wheat Ridge sculpture. Citizens interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Mayor's Art Initiative can do so by making a check payable to the Wheat Ridge Foundation. Please note "Public Art Campaign" on the check. All donations can be mailed to: Wheat Ridge Foundation, Attn: Mayor's Office, 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

The sculpture planned for the future park at 38th and Kipling will be a new addition to existing public art pieces in the City. In 2002, the City established the groundwork for an expanded public art program which has enabled the City to implement the acquisition of artwork for interior and exterior locations accessible to the public. To view the City's Public Art Listing, visit the Parks and Recreation Arts and Culture page on the City Website at: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us.

The City plans to break ground on the construction of Phase One and Two of the park in late 2009. The park will be completed in three phases. Generally, Phase I will include utilities, storm drainage, site preparation, the parking lot, and interior walkways. Funding for the park construction has been leveraged through open space grant money funded by Jefferson County over a three year period. Additionally, the City received a $275,000 Joint Venture grant from Jefferson County and a $200,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant that will benefit the park project.

New CNN Website Design Launches

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Two days earlier than predicted, CNN has launched their brand-new website design. You’ll now notice the site’s header is more reddish with the prominent CNN logo displayed front and center, but that’s not all. The news network has split the homepage into three particular sections. Also, CNN will be focusing more on video content with this redesign, which is already quite apparent. But that’s still not all. Users can now set up personal profile pages and customize it with weather, and other things you may be in to (like iGoogle). Within these profiles, users can “follow a topic” to get the latest on it with relevant news stories.

NewsPulse Beta is CNN’s version of Digg, with stories being rated by popularity and category or even type (be it article or video) which is sure to keep your interest.

But there’s still more to be discovered. Users who would like to get a video tour of the “relaunch,” as CNN is calling it can watch this video, narrated by CNN’s own Anderson Cooper.

How do you feel about CNN’s new website design?