Web Standards
Structure and Presentation
This site is built in compliance with the standards created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Valid Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML) has been used to construct a meaningful structure for each page, while centralized Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) files control the layout and design. This approach eliminates the need to use deprecated markup tags or misuse valid tags simply to achieve a desired appearance.
Why?
This approach produces a site which is easier to use and maintain in several ways:
- Faster Browsing
Page browsing is much faster at every connection speed because less unique code is needed on each page. - Improved Accessibility
Content is more compatible with PDAs, screen-reading software, and all Web browsers, including those used by the visually or physically impaired. - Forward Compatibility
Adhering to standards ensures the site is as compatible as possible with past, present and future browsers. - Easier Maintenance
Design changes can be made instantly through a few centralised files.
Browsers
Generally speaking, the vast majority of browsers in use today are capable of rendering this site exactly as intended. But some older browsers such as Netscape Navigator 4 do not support Web standards enough to properly display the layout and design of the site.
Still, the entire content of this site is available in every commercial browser. Older non-compliant browsers will simply display the "raw" content, without the benefit of the more advanced CSS which drives the look of the site.
Upgrade
If you would like to be able to view this site (and others like it) as it is intended to look, consider upgrading your browser. If you are unwilling or unable to upgrade your browser, then rest assured knowing you aren't missing any content – only the layout and design are different in a standards-compliant browser.
Standards compliant browsers include the latest versions of the following:
Please note this is not an exhaustive list of standards-compliant browsers, nor should it be interpreted as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular manufacturer's browser.