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Microsoft Corp.

Browser Wars: A Call for Change in Web Standards

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A fierce competition between Microsoft and Netscape has led to browser incompatibility issues, making it difficult for Web content creators to reach a wide audience. To address this problem, influential voices in the Web development community, including Dan Shafer from CNET, Jeff Veen from Wired Digital, and Jesse Berst from ZDNet, are calling for a change in the way browser software complies with Web standards. The lack of standards has resulted in Web developers creating up to 10 versions of each Web page to accommodate different browsers, hindering the creation of a unified and accessible Web experience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft and Netscape's refusal to comply with Web standards has led to significant incompatibility issues between browsers, with the result being up to 10 versions of each Web page being created to accommodate different browsers.
  • Influential voices in the Web development community, including Dan Shafer, Jeff Veen, and Jesse Berst, are calling for a change in the way browser software complies with Web standards.
  • This competition has severely limited choice for Internet consumers and created havoc for Web developers.
  • As both browser giants prepare to release 5.0 versions, the need for compliance with Web standards is more urgent than ever.
  • The release of 5.0 versions by both Microsoft and Netscape is expected to exacerbate the problem unless significant changes are made to adhere to Web standards.
  • The industry players involved in the call for change include CNET, Wired Digital, and ZDNet.

Statistics:

  • Up to 10 different versions of each Web page are created to accommodate different browsers.
  • Only 5.0 versions of both Microsoft and Netscape's browser software are expected to be released soon, further exacerbating the issue.
  • The majority of the industry players have called for change in Web standards.
  • CNET's Dan Shafer, Wired Digital's Jeff Veen, and ZDNet's Jesse Berst have each offered diverse proposals for change.
  • A total of three influential voices have joined forces to call for an end to browser software's refusal to comply with Web standards.

Sources:

  • "Three columnists call for an end to browser wars" on CNET Builder.com
  • Wired Digital's Webmonkey ( http://www.webmonkey.com )
  • ZDNet Anchordesk ( http://www.anchordesk.com )
  • Dan Shafer, Editorial Director, CNET Builder.com
  • Jeff Veen, Director of Interface, Wired Digital Webmonkey
  • Jesse Berst, AnchorDesk, ZDNet
  • CONTACT: Karen Wood of CNET, Inc., 415-395-7805, ext. 1552, karenw@cnet.com, or Laura Wheless of Wired Digital, 415-276-8632, lauraw@wired.com, or Martha Papalia of ZDNet, 617-225-3340, martha_papalia@zd.com

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