I for one would not implement or use CSS1 if it offered no features not
implemented in existing browsers.
Clearly CSS1 even with the changes I suggested still offers features not
available in most existing browsers; namely, the ability to use a style
sheet on a per document basis. By itself, this is significant. I would think
that this would be the most important goal of CSS1 rather than introducing
flashy new formatting features beyond the most commonly used set.
As I see it, CSS is going to be doomed if convergence isn't reached quickly
on the basic framework. Once that is in place, adding new style properties
is doesn't require much work in terms of syntax or specification language.
I should think CSS1 would limit its scope to the basic framework in order
to reach quick consensus and get implementations out the door. Of course,
nobody who bothers to do CSS1 is going to stop there. But, with all the
continual changes and additions of "this is a neat formatting trick, let's
put in a property for it", nobody is going to commit to CSS at all.
Our viewer already supports many style properties beyond CSS1 but I'm
not trying to force them on everyone at this point. I'd be happy to
have people using a limited set of properties just to get them used to
the idea of style sheets, etc.
If you want to pick a couple of neat properties just to add flash to
CSS1, then that's fine. But let's agree up front what they are and
stop trying to add too much. If I was to pick one or two, I'd choose
dropped caps and first line small-caps. But, please, let's leave animated
background lighting out of CSS1.
Regards,
Glenn Adams