Microsoft Endorses W3C's HTML 4.0
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Microsoft Endorses W3C's HTML 4.0; Announces Support in Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.0
REDMOND, Wash., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)
today endorsed the industry's new specification for HTML, a critical Internet
technology, and announced support for HTML 4.0 in its popular Microsoft(R)
Internet Explorer Web browser.
Earlier today, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) announced its
HTML 4.0 Working Draft. Microsoft said that it will support this
specification in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Preview 2, available later
this month, enabling content providers to use new HTML features. Microsoft's
announcement marks the latest delivery in its year-old pledge to honor all of
the industry's HTML standards for the Internet
(http://www.microsoft.com/internet/html.htm).
"The W3C specification announced today is a major step forward for HTML,"
said Dan Connolly, HTML working group chairperson for the W3C. "This working
draft is the result of strong teamwork and a willingness to collaborate openly
by all of our members. We appreciate Microsoft's participation in the W3C,
and its immediate support for the HTML 4.0 Working Draft in Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.0."
"HTML 4.0 is positive proof that the standards process works," said Brad
Chase, vice president, marketing, Internet client and collaboration division
at Microsoft. "We're fully committed to continuing our work with the W3C and
to supporting HTML 4.0 in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0."
HTML 4.0 Gives Industry Increased Flexibility, Power
The new HTML 4.0 provides additional features to content providers,
enabling them to build more powerful and flexible Web applications. Through
new forms capabilities, content providers can utilize keyboard shortcuts, add
labels to forms controls, group related controls together, and create rich
HTML buttons. Table enhancements allow improved column and border control.
Newly introduced HTML elements enable developers to incorporate scripts, style
sheets and framesets in their HTML documents in a standards-based way. HTML
4.0 also provides object support and file upload capabilities.
"With HTML 4.0, we can create standards-based pages that are more
appealing to our users and also more functional," said Paul Hess, chief
technology officer of Attitude Network Ltd., publisher of Happy Puppy and
Games Domain. "We're pleased that Microsoft is taking the lead in supporting
HTML 4.0 in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0."
"ExperTelligence WebberActive 4.0 is providing support today for
HTML 4.0 by automatically exposing all new elements and attributes for content
providers, and providing full validation for new HTML 4.0 elements," said
Denison Bollay, chief executive officer of ExperTelligence Inc. "This will
help authors and developers take advantage of the new capabilities in
HTML 4.0 quickly and easily."
Millions of Additional Users Can Now Access the Web
The HTML 4.0 Working Draft also gives international users and people with
disabilities greater access to the Web. This new specification enables HTML
to be used with all character sets. New form elements let users navigate more
easily using keyboard shortcuts. Other features make tables, forms and image
maps compatible with tools used by people who have limited vision or
dexterity, and allow sounds to be captioned for users who are deaf or hard of
hearing.
"Lack of accessibility has prevented visually impaired people from taking
full advantage of the Web," said Michael Paciello, executive director of the
Yuri Rubinsky Insight Foundation. "HTML 4.0 helps to remove this barrier,
making the Web a great professional and recreational resource for the
750 million people with disabilities worldwide."
For more information on HTML 4.0, visit the W3C Web site at
http://www.w3.org/.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for
personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services
for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it
easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corporation
CONTACT: press only, Joscelyn Zell of Waggener Edstrom, 503-245-0905, or
jzell@wagged.com, for Microsoft; or for online product information, Windows(R)
Internet Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/ /
(MSFT)