microformats Archive

Data Attributes in HTML and jQuery

Sometimes the existing HTML attributes aren’t sufficient for describing an element’s content. We can use class, ref, rel, title and more, but even so there are occasions where that’s not enough. HTML5 addresses this problem with the introduction of Data Attributes, which allow you to add simple metadata to individual elements, largely for the purpose of providing information to make JavaScript functions easier.

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Microformats on Safari/iPhone

I’ve become one of the ranked masses of iPhone users, and now that I’ve come to terms with its limitations I’m generally pretty happy with it. One thing that strikes me as pretty strange, however, is the lack of support for the common data formats iCalendar and vCard – and, as a result of that, the non-existent support of the hCalendar and hCard microformats – in Safari.

It seems to me that a device such as the iPhone, with its built-in calendar and address book, would be able to make great use of the above microformats to pull contact data and events from web pages; it is, in fact, almost the perfect device for doing so.

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Custom markup for Microformats

A mistake which seems to be fairly common when taking the first steps in learning about Microformats (and one which I have made) is to presume that the markup which is generated by the generation tools – for example, the hCard Creator – is the markup that must be used in the page.

That’s not the case, of course; with a few notable exceptions, the markup is completely customisable, and it is the order of the class names (and other attributes) which matters.

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Links Round-Up: Firefox, Microsoft, Yahoo

The last month has seen me completely immersed in User Experience theory and Information Architecture for my new role, and it’s been a very hectic time. While that hasn’t stopped me from keeping an eye on developments on the web, it’s given me less time to write about them.

Here’s a quick round-up of a few links that have grabbed my interest over the past weeks; I’d like to write more about them, but time forbids.

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Book review: Microformats, by John Allsopp

I’ve just finished reading John Allsopp’s book ‘Microformats: empowering your markup for Web 2.0‘, and thought it deserved a review here – marked up, of course, with hReview. I was given a free copy at the recent Microformats vEvent, but hope that hasn’t coloured my review at all. Markup for the review was generated by the hReview creator (and slightly modified by myself).

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hAtom implemented site-wide

Just implemented phase one of my mark-up plans, by implementing hAtom across the site; you can check it with Optimus, although be aware that it’s Optimus that’s producing the errors, not me! Of course there’s no massive benefit in my using hAtom at the moment, but a little further down the line I’m sure I’ll be grateful – plus, it’s good practice.


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Aside

I’ve updated my Speaking page to include more conferences, more videos, and a little on my speaking requirements and preferences. I’m planning to cut down on the number of talks I give in 2014 (twelve is too many), but am always open to interesting offers and opportunities, so please get in touch if you’re organising an event.

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