Netscape, MS face Web developer wrath

Executives from the Web browser teams of both Microsoft Corporation andNetscape Communications faced the music this week as they stood beforeheckling crowds at a Web development discussion panel, explaining how theircompanies would live up to the promise of a Web based on open standards.The event, hosted by the Web Standards Project, was aimed at letting Webdevelopers vent at the companies that most obviously are ignoring theirpleas.

"We assert that we have pretty complete HTML support, about 90% support forHTML 4.0," said Microsoft's director of standards activities Mark Ryland,who was largely drowned out by skeptical developers, clicking away onannoying little mice that were supplied at the event.

"How many people here want 94 percent compliance in their condoms?" askedWeb Standards Project cofounder Glenn Davis, to deafening cheers.

"This room cares about HTML and CSS, but you don't care so much about LDAPor IMAP, where Netscape has taken a leadership position," said Netscape'sAngus Davis. "In CSS, I'm not going to BS you. There's a lot of work to do."

Davis says that Communicator 5.0 will be "100%" compatible with standardssuch as HTML 4.0, CSS 1.0, XML 1.0, the new Document Object Model (DOM) andthe Resource Definition Format. By the time it comes out, however, thosestandards will likely be passé.