W3C validation badges
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- iamaracinghorse
Do you guys think it's ridiculous or unnecessary for a developer to put those little W3C validation icons on his or her portfolio site? I'm having a hard time deciding.
- ********0
they're ugly - if you want to prove yr conformance, I'd just add a text link
- juhls0
I can't decide either.
Maybe it demonstrates that you know how to make a site compliant.
I feel dirty when I am required to use one though.
- ETM0
Don't forget your Media Temple logo then.
The badge is pointless. Only other designers/ developers will even know what it's for, the average user could care less as long as the site does what they expect.
- welded0
I agree, it's pointless. The only people those badges might be relevant to don't need your reassurance that your markup is good or not. Whether it actually *is* good or not is a different matter.
- unless you're looking for a job building websites maybe********
- Which I sadly am, due to being cut to part-time at my day job. Seems like there are probably other ways to make it clear to potential employers that my sites are valid though...iamaracinghorse
- ...potential employers that my sites validate...iamaracinghorse
- Serious employers will review your code anyway. W3C badge or not.ETM
- unless you're looking for a job building websites maybe
- iamaracinghorse0
Seems like the consensus is that they're pretty pointless for the average user, which is the direction I was leaning. Thank you all for helping me come to a decision!
- ********0
In my opinion, it's only purpose is to prompt your future employer know into checking that care about writing valid code. Companies employing web-developers are not average users.
If you want to get a job building websites, I'd say add it.. basically because it's another feather in yr hat.
However, if I were you, rather than use the logo, I'd add a text link to the validation site ('Valid xHTML' < something like that)... it will be more discrete, and will still do the job.
- * "prompt your future employer into checking you care about writing valid code"********
- shame i can't write valid english********
- * "prompt your future employer into checking you care about writing valid code"
- Seanbot0
Just do a text-link if it's a site for a potential employer (only if you're a dev though)
- a_c0
Showing a knowledge and concern over validation is important to prospective employers, clients/agencies for someone working in web/digital, both developers and designers.
Deciding between using a badge (official or bespoke) or a text link is a matter of taste. Personally, I've used a bespoke, discreet badge. I felt that tucking it away in my 'about' section it needed a little highlight, hence the badge.
- airey0
the question does need asking, does validation matter in the least? certainly it's something for the hard-core developer to bang on about but a crap looking, poor content including, shitty navigation using, but validation site will probably not to the client the service they were hoping for.
- it does -> by producing valid code, you give your site the best chance of working across multiple browsers********
- and your client will probably want the site to be accessible to many users as possible********
- But, hacks to make sites work in IE 5x 6 etc can break validation in some cases.ETM
- put all your hacks in a separate file and use conditional comments -> this solves the problem********
- it does -> by producing valid code, you give your site the best chance of working across multiple browsers
- ETM0
Employers will review your code if they are interested in you, W3C badge or not. My concern would be clean, logical, well commented/documented code.
Things like how logically and efficiently you write markup, name css styles, understand CSS hierarchy, use of JS etc is more important, IMO. Code that just validates doesn't always mean its the best code.
- ETM0
@iamaracinghorse
Looking at your 'About', I would change a few things. One example, you say you know "a little PHP". You may want to say you have fundamental PHP skills or something similar. I would do the same with the ASP.net.
- Thanks, ETM. While we're on the subject, does anything else stand out to you? Or is that a can of worms that deserves it's own 'Site Crit' thread?iamaracinghorse
- ...own 'Site Crit' thread?iamaracinghorse
- iamaracinghorse0
Thanks ETM! I will change that right quick.
- benfal990
sometimes those small badges at the bottom of a website can act as graphics elements and are nice to look at as a whole thing with the layout of the page.