JAB_Creations - 4:11 am on Apr 3, 2006 (gmt 0)

It was only a matter of time until I found this thread! ;)

You can use XHTML 1.0 Strict with text/html.

The text/html and application/xhtml+xml mimes will render exactly the same if you code correctly in both Gecko and Presto based browsers.

My site uses XHTML 1.1 with application/xhtml+xml. When you change the DTD or Mime (accessible via the personal toolbar) the rendering does not change. I've worked very hard to ensure it meets all the standards but keep in mind we all have different methods of coding.

So in that case has anyone noticed differences in rendering when changing their site (but not CSS) between HTML 4 and XHTML. I ask this question with one string attached, removing the trailing slashes when testing with HTML 4 that are required by XHTML.

While I have yet to do this specifically myself sites served as XHTML 1.1 with application/xhtml+xml should detect bots and serve the XHTML 1.0 Strict DocType as text/html. I am not aware of what bots support application/xhtml+xml and which do not but I currently do not run that chance. I simply serve bots XHTML 1.1 as text/html (until I have a chance to further address this in the future). The main point is that they are still able to read the pages and no harm (to my current understanding) is being done.

It's more of a bragging right to get on the edge but support legacy programs (such as IE6/7) and bots that do not recognize application/xhtml+xml.

I look at it this way, if they update a law in 2000 that says application/xhtml+xml is the legal HTML limit then that is what we should currently be doing. So in essence everyone using HTML 4 is breaking the law. But of course that is just an analogy and there are no such laws, just standards. Still I take standards seriously (sometimes more then that law ha-HA!)

There are downsides to XHTML. For example I am not a (good or well versed) web programmer. That means my forums and mail (are built by others until I know how to build my own and...) are currently XHTML 1.1 but served as text/html which is a no no of course. So it's important to keep working on it. If you are in the same position I simply suggest using XHTML 1.0 Strict as you are still allowed to use text/html and once you have updated your templates to change your DocType to XHTML 1.1.

DrDoc - Good point on IE's ability to handle application/xml. I'll have to look in to that myself. While I know everything I forgot most of it. ;) (JK of course)

John

PS - What is the difference between application/xml and application/xhtml+xml?