Friday 13 February 2009

I Am an Opera Singer

“I am an opera singer / I sing in foreign lands / Most people seem to know my name / Or at least know who I am” – Cake

Today marks a major passage in my life, and I’d like to share it with you. At 13:00 hours on Friday the 13th of 2009, I formally became an employee of Opera Software, ASA. My position is Web Evangelist, working on the Developer Relations team. I will be based out of the Mountain View, California office, although I will continue traveling as well as doing workshops and conferences. My job description is exactly what my job has always been: evangelism and outreach for standards and an open, accessible, multi-modal Web.

What is astonishing to me is that for the first time in my career, I am with a company that specifically empowers its employees in regards to open standards. This is quite the change of pace, for as many readers are aware, through my former roles as a group lead for the Web Standards Project (WaSP) and then as a standards consultant to Microsoft, standards evangelism has been an uphill battle with no rest for the weary, no aid for the wounded.

Not so at Opera. I’m working with some of the most talented folks in the business. Henny Swan, Chris Mills, Bruce Lawson, Jon Hicks, and of course Hakon Lie and so many others. The contributions these people have made to the industry and to the world are a light of inspiration, and I am very honored to be part of a company whose core creed is an open Web, and whose developer motto “Follow the Standards / Break the Rules” fits a personality like mine perfectly.

My role at Opera will largely be meeting with people, providing resources on Web standards, organizing events that promote open Web and best practices, and essentially evangelizing the essential truths of the Web that I’ve always held dear: Platform agnostic, user agent agnostic, ability/disability agnostic. Anyone. Anywhere. That’s the vision, and now I have the resources, support and security of a company whose time has truly come.

Of course, this is also the same day that it’s been outed that Microsoft IE8 will blacklist sites where the IE7 compatibility button is used by many people. This means that if you want IE8 readiness, you have to get ready now, or you run the risk of having your sites be on this blacklist, forcing IE7 rendering even if you authored the sites using open standards. So while this post is a personal announcement, anyone working on the Web please read up on this issue and pre-empt a potential blacklist on your site.

People who know me and know the history of how the IE8 opt-in opt-out switch got all, well, switched around will see immediately the irony of today’s events. I really, really want to maintain the belief that when Microsoft made that impressive and unprecedented leap into shipping standards mode as default, that that meant something. That was the result of a lot of hard work, a lot of pain, a lot of fury, and at least one person (me) who is now sitting here wondering if anything I spent the last year and a half of my life doing was helpful. That I am a mix of emotions right now is logical, because I know so many good folks within the IE team who believe. Their struggle is a difficult one and I don’t envy them, but I think this is a significant wrongdoing. A dramatic analogy in my mind is hey, so if I keep stepping on the brakes in my car, eventually I’ll opt out of them working?

All the more reason I’m counting my blessings that I’m with a company that wants standards. I don’t want to battle anymore. I want no more browser wars. I want peace in all the land. Is this an impossible dream? I don’t know, but for the first time in my adult life I am actually an employee to a company other than my own, a decision that was not made lightly. In fact, this is the third time I’ve been offered a job at Opera, so I’m going to remain an optimist, do my vocal exercises, and continue singing for a useful, beautiful, meaningful and interoperable Web.

Filed under:   announcement, browsers, community, ie8, microsoft, professional, society, software, standards, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 21:04 | Comments (84)

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Aid for Victoria: SitePoint’s 100% Donation Sale

As many people are aware, the brush fires in Victoria, Australia have killed over 170 people with many more expected, and they’ve left thousands homeless and in need of emergency care.

It is one of the worst natural disasters in Australian history, and SitePoint, based in Melbourne, Victoria is stepping up to help out.

So a sale of any five SitePoint books for $29.95 USD is underway – that’s FIVE books for the price of one, people (and some great book choices there are, too) and 100% of the proceeds are going to bushfire relief. You can read more and get to ordering by visiting SitePoint’s sale site and buying some books!

SitePoint, you’re awesome for being such a caring company, and providing excellent, ongoing resources for Web folks everywhere. Best wishes from here at Molly.Com for comfort, relief and well-being for all.

Filed under:   announcement, community, society, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 01:54 | Comments (3)

Thursday 8 January 2009

Web Standards for Web Applications

At the upcoming Web App Summit 2009, I’ll be presenting an all new workshop, “Web Standards for Web Applications.” The fabulous and ever-smooth Jared Spool interviewed me recently about the topic, covering issues such as HTML5, The rise of JavaScript, the integration of proprietary and standardized technologies and of course, browsers. We also had a few laughs along the way.

Listen to the audiocast, visit the Web Apps Summit page, and leave me some comments. I feel I’ve neglected this blog so much, so shout out your thoughts!

Filed under:   ajax, announcement, browsers, conferences, innovation, javascript, software, standards, w3c, web design and development, whatwg
Posted by:   Molly | 13:34 | Comments (18)

Thursday 11 December 2008

W3C Validators in Jeopardy

As many folks who follow the W3C are aware, financial and bureaucratic issues have challenged the organization for many years. But one thing the W3C has held steady with is its validators, which are regularly and freely utilized by Web designers and developers world over.

It’s come to pass that the funding necessary to maintain and grow validation services at the W3C has become overwhelming to the W3C’s operational budget. As such, the validators are in jeopardy.

But there are ways to help, and this post is a call to action to do just that.

We’ve set up a donation system to allow for a number of different donations concepts: Donor, Sponsored, Community Fundraising, and in the spirit of open source and standards, plenty of opportunity to give of your time and knowledge to assist with the work.

It works like this:

• Donor: A donor is anyone interested in donating money to the cause. A micropayment of 1.00 USD if the validator “saves your day” can be very helpful!
• Sponsor: A sponsor is a company or organization that donates to the W3C
• Community Fundraising: There are two badges available at the W3C that link to the fundraising page. If you support the validator, encourage others by placing a badge on your site and blogging about the topic
• Time Not Money: If you cannot or do not wish to donate money, your time is as or even more valuable. There are opportunities to help the W3C maintain and grow validation services.

That we’ve had the use of validation tools via the W3C for so long and without cost has been a significant component in the teaching and evangelism surrounding Web standards and best practices. To lose these tools would impact that message, not to mention take a certain amount of quality assurance away from the process.

For more information about the validator services concern or to become involved, please visit the W3C Validator Donation Program page.

Filed under:   announcement, community, professional, society, software, standards, w3c
Posted by:   Molly | 12:37 | Comments (85)

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Registration for January HTML Course Open

The HTML 4.01 Foundations course is available in a new format for January!

Read all about it and get signed up at WebWithMolly. If you have any questions or concerns you can ask them here or at the email provided on the sign-up page.

New year, new fun

Filed under:   accessibility, announcement, browsers, microsoft, professional, software, standards, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 14:03 | Comments (30)

Sunday 7 December 2008

Web Courses Update: Minor Model Change

Just to let folks know we’ve had a small group of people for the first class testing the system.

I’ve decided to make some changes that will allow more people access to the classes and live support by modifying the model slightly as follows:

• Students will be able to self-study any time
• I will have live discussion groups three days a week at diverse times to accommodate international student time concerns and so on.

The other advantage of this is there can be more courses going on at once too. The costs will remain the same for typical courses.

More info soon!

Filed under:   announcement, professional, software, standards, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 12:26 | Comments Off

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Finally, Affordable Web Training!

Finally, Web design and development courses that you can do right from the comfort of your own home! After years of traveling the world doing workshops and presentations, I’m getting a little world-weary and would like to focus more on teaching rather than the latest and greatest in best packing techniques!

This is not to say you won’t see me at public venues, because you will. But after years of providing a variety of educational materials I’m finally going to try out something that will make learning fun and affordable, and bring me some income without having to get out of my pajamas (I really like my pajamas).

I’m building a new site dedicated to providing beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert-level courses in HTML, XHTML, CSS, Web Design, Universal (Accessible) Design, Project Management, Content Development and a range of other topics.

Course features include:

• Live, direct teaching with me via chat (typical courses run 1 hour per week and are based on a day/time agreeable to all students)
• Small courses: Only six total students per course, plus 1 intern
• 1/2 hour one-on-one assessment chat at end of course
• 24/7 moderated forums
• PDF and HTML-based course material
• Course slides where appropriate
• Articles and helpful resource packet for all registered students
• A certificate of completion (upon completion of course!)
• Books, software and other awesome schwag as available

Course costs:

Each five week course (described above) costs 125.00 USD. This amount is non-refundable, but if you miss a session or are unable to make a course, you will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. Course payment: Payment is in advance via PayPal. You may also use direct deposit transfers or certified checks if you prefer, just let me know privately. There are other course types in the running, as well as one-on-one courses, full day workshop intensives and courses taught by others.

Internetships:

Each course can accommodate up to one intern. Internships are really scholarships, the intern must come from circumstances that prohibit payment, show strong initiative, and have excellent online skills. Additional internships are available for folks interested in answering questions and monitoring forums. Please respond directly to me mollyatmollydotcom if you want to be considered for an internship.

Inaugural course: HTML 4.01 Foundations

Whether hand-coding or using applications such as Dreamweaver or Expression Web, understanding HTML (and how browsers understand it too!) gives designers and developers the ability to problem solve and innovate.

This course provides students with a comprehensive study of HTML as a language. From DOCTYPEs and DTD’s to syntax and semantics, participants will take from this course a very strong understanding of HTML.

The course is limited to a total of six (6) registered attendees, plus 1 intern. It is taught directly by me and will commence Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at a time agreed upon by all attendees (due to global nature of course).

Students should have some familiarity with HTML and general Web design.

Talk to yer Mols

If you have interest in this course, or are interested in future courses, please post in the comments.

Filed under:   announcement, professional, standards, w3c, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 09:09 | Comments (53)

Thursday 23 October 2008

Molly.Com, Inc. No More?

Today I learned that my company, Molly.Com, Inc. goes the way of poor banks and bad stocks.

People forget to pay, I forget to ask, and I’ve never been audacious enough to ask for donations for I have no idea what I can return.

Molly.Com won’t be going anywhere, but the company itself as a U.S. incorporation is no more. I’ve now returned to the life of a sole proprieter.

It was a grand few decades.

Filed under:   announcement, general
Posted by:   Molly | 09:01 | Comments (22)

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Web Standards 2008: Three Circles of Hell

Over on A List Apart there’s a recent article of my musings of the current state of Web affairs. Check out the Three Circles of Hell and take some time to share your thoughts and opinions!

Filed under:   WaSP, accessibility, ajax, announcement, browsers, how we will be, javascript, microsoft, molly asks you, professional, standards, w3c, web design and development, whatwg
Posted by:   Molly | 08:29 | Comments Off

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Saturday Morning Bagels

There are six seats to this one day free Web standards, development and browser discussion in Tucson, Arizona.

We will talk code and eat great food.

Sign up at Upcoming.Org

Hope to see you then!

Filed under:   announcement, standards
Posted by:   Molly | 22:43 | Comments Off

Sunday 14 September 2008

Announcing The World Wide Web Foundation

Only a mere few hours ago Tim Berners-Lee at an event in Washington, D.C. announced The World Wide Web Foundation.

The mission of the foundation is:

• to advance One Web that is free and open,
• to expand the Web’s capability and robustness,
• and to extend the Web’s benefits to all people on the planet.

All well and good, of course, but wasn’t that supposed to be part of the W3C’s mission, too? The difference here is that the foundation is essentially about funding (which is something the W3C dearly needs).

“The Foundation will raise funds through a multi-faceted strategy, beginning with a $5 million seed grant over five years from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.”

There’s a fairly good overview of the program on the site, give it a look-see. I would love to feel optimistic about this, but at this point I’ve really decided that creating more groups is just adding layers of problems on top of what we’re already doing.

On the other hand, if this empowers greater outreach, education and fosters real influence in returning to the core ideals of an interoperable Web for all, then I’m all for it.

Filed under:   accessibility, announcement, browsers, how we will be, society, software, standards, w3c, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 18:09 | Comments (27)

Friday 12 September 2008

Accessibility Storm Hits Texas: Millions Jeopardized

While Hurricane Ike’s eye hovers over Galveston, and the country has basically come to a standstill as planes are grounded and people (myself included) can’t get home to loved ones until the storms pass, there is an equally disturbing issue that’s surfaced in recent weeks regarding the acclaimed University of Texas.

This year, the world lost a great leader in John Slatin, who along with colleagues was able to create the Accessibility Institute at the University of Texas and make real inroads in training people about accessibility and universal design.

It appears that the University of Texas would like to honor his memory by dismantling one of the highlights of John’s life works. To lose such an institute at this time demeans whatever progress has been made in the light of accessibility.

Universal access is something we cannot afford to stop worrying about. Our communications systems rely on our ability, no matter our ability, to communicate need.

During a time so frightening and confusing as a massive hurricane like Ike, nothing seems to shine a brighter light on this important facet of our daily lives. With universal access, many people will be empowered to get help more efficiently. Without it, certain individuals will be locked out of some of those resources.

That the University of Texas could even consider dropping such a core and critical program is tragic. The act removes educational resources that in turn create the resources that can help us all during difficult times as well as those more pleasant.

Please raise your voice and request that the Accessibility Institute be reopened! Sign the petition at Save The Institute.

Stay safe, Texas. And do the right thing.

Filed under:   accessibility, announcement, community, how we will be, policies, professional, society, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 23:21 | Comments (16)

Friday 5 September 2008

Core CSS Part I Reference

Along with the good folks at DZone, I’ve been working on a series of reference cards. Refcardz are “cheat sheets” that offer quick but key aspects of various languages, techniques and methodologies. The first of my three part Core CSS reference is available for free download to registered members (registration is free too, of course) and there are very stylin’ print versions of the cards available as well.

“In this foundational reference card, you’ll find not only a bit of history and rationale for use, rule structure and syntax, but also a thorough resource as to the Cascade, inheritance and specificity – core principles of CSS that will expand and strengthen your professional ability to work with CSS.

Features include CSS Rationale and Use, Understanding Style Rule Syntax, Inheritance, Style Sheet Types, Application Hierarchy and Sort Order, Hot Tips and more.”

Special thanks to Ross Bruniges, Norm Francis, Bryan Veloso and Dan Rubin for their review assistance. Any errors or flaws in logic remain mine alone

I hope you find this reference useful!

Filed under:   announcement, professional, standards, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 22:32 | Comments (43)

Saturday 12 July 2008

Web Standards Curriculum at Opera: A+

Just read Chris Mills’ opening words in his introduction to the newly launched Web Standards Curriculum at Opera and you’ll immediately know that this is material brought to us with great passion as well as experience.

Reading through what’s currently available (mostly “standards” philosophy and HTML so far) has been pretty amazing. The content has been organized by Mills, but authored by a variety of very strong and experienced real-world developers including Mark Norman Francis, Christian Heilmann, Linda Goin and Paul Haine.

The impressive aspect of the curriculum as it is now is that it’s comprehensive, including foundational topics such as Internet and Web history and evolution. Educators understand that history provides context for real learning. Sadly, this is an area often not available in books and online tutorials because readers typically want to dive right in and learn a given technique.

I’ve long held as a core belief that proper education includes those details. What good is a technique without context?

I applaud Opera Software, and Chris Mills, and all who are working so hard to create a really well-organized, well-crafted and completely free series addressing both the conceptual and pragmatic.

Well done, my Operatic friends! You get an A+.

Filed under:   announcement, community, professional, standards, web design and development
Posted by:   Molly | 01:31 | Comments (10)

Thursday 10 July 2008

Of Rich Web Experiences

If you want best practices, best information, best people and you care about code the place for you is the Rich Web Experience this September.

Early bird discounts apply right now – go check it out! If that sounds like marketing speak, say so! I’m working on my diversity skills. Last year I was honored with the same spot but health issues prevailed so I could not participate. This year, I’m raring to go and excited to be talking to as many Web developers and professionals as I can. Particularly application developers.

Interestingly, today is the day my relationship with Microsoft really, really ends (last check deposited to my account). Today, I stumble toward a “rich web experience” despite concerns about standards, agendas and linear thinking.

You can read about my Keynote and other sessions at the RWE web site. There’s an early-bird registration discount too! The richest Web experience I know is ironically off the Web. Face to Face, that’s the magic place.

I hope to see you at RWE!

Filed under:   accessibility, ajax, announcement, browsers, community, conferences, how we will be, ie8, innovation, javascript, microsoft, policies, rails, society, software, standards, w3c, web design and development, whatwg
Posted by:   Molly | 11:12 | Comments (9)