Are HTML5 CSS3 designs really necessary?

[marycontrary]

Hi guys! I have another recent thread where I am picking the brains of you kind folks as to why I cannot get about 75% of HTML5 CSS3 templates to even properly open in either MS Expressions 4 or Bluegriffon (which is HTML 5 compatible(.

Of course, the old school non responsive templates operate and open fine, it is just the HTML 5.

I am rebuilding a 110 page commercial/authority static website, and Joomla was a disaster, causing many duplicate pages, bizarre dynamic pages, canonical issues, and scripting errors. So called experts to help me have caused more problems than solved. Plus the templates are just ugly and non flexible. They are too hard to modify.

So I just wanted to redo the whole thing in regular HTML, as to have control over my pages, site structure, and the creative.

It really seems the HTML 5 is far more trouble than it is worth, as I have been trying to work with this format for a week, and I cannot get the templates operational.

I would really like your opinion, as if I had just stuck to the pre HTML 5 design, the website would be mostly done by now, and I could design it so that it would be acceptable looking on laptops, as well was mobile devices, though it would not be "technically" responsive.

Please advise.

[graeme_p]

It depends what you mean by HTML5. Does just using the HTML5 doctype cause problems? Using particular new elements? New selectors or complex media queries?

HTML5 is just HTML so there is not obvious reason using it should break stuff.

[not2easy]

I was curious in your other thread if your issues aren't because of trying to use Microsoft Expressions to edit normal html. MSExpressions was introduced to replace the old FrontPage software that is no longer supported and as such it most likely gags on anything that does not use the MS schema and their own version of html. If only the header of your pages is html5 (that is the only part shown in examples that I have seen) and the rest is MS flavored html, that can be a stumbling block.

Since you have installed your own WAMP server, you aren't tied to proprietary html editors and can use any text editor to edit your pages. There are any number of free text editors for Windows to help you use plain html. In your other thread, [webmasterworld.com...] it sounded as though you were building out a new website, not editing an existing site and advice and suggestions were based on that. It does make a difference in getting the most helpful suggestions if people know the entire question.

[drhowarddrfine]

It really seems the HTML 5 is far more trouble than it is worth, as I have been trying to work with this format for a week...

fwiw, my little company doesn't do anything but HTML5 and CSS3 anymore and have about 10 clients up and running that way without issue but we also don't, and wouldn't, use any Microsoft software of any kind.

[goon70056]

I'm still new to the world of web design. When I first started, I too wondered if hand coding everything was worth the effort. However, once I became accustomed to it, I wouldn't do it any other way. I seem to have more trouble using a CMS than creating all of the code from scratch.

[peten]

I converted my clubs web site to HTML5 CSS3 with no problem at all .

As drhowarddrfine suggests you will find your problems like in choice of system you use .
If you access to a Linux machine try using "bluefish" always gets the job done for me ..

[marycontrary]

Thank you guys so much...I am just trying to open responsive html5 css3 templates in both MS Expressions or Blue Griffon. Heck, I haven't even got to the point where I can edit most of the template.

I am just trying to teach myself various editing skill with these programs, as I have used Joomla for several years and it has driven me crazy with its issues.

[not2easy]

My understanding is that MS Expressions is a web document editor for MS proprietary version of html, so it is not surprising that MS Expressions isn't playing nice with a responsive template from somewhere online. From conversations with others using it, I get the view that MS Expressions edits FrontPage documents and its own documents.

When you mentioned in the other thread that you had imported a responsive template I foolishly thought that MS Expressions had decided to make alternative templates available, but this is not a MS Template and could be the cause of your problem with trying to make it work. And I could be a mile away, not being a MS Expressions user myself, but that would be my first thoughts.

[marycontrary]

This very well could be...but why the issue with Bluegriffon? This is open source. And MS expressions open old school non HTML 5/css3 templates downloaded from non MS places just fine. So does bluegriffon.

[tangor]

I am just trying to teach myself various editing skill with these programs, as I have used Joomla for several years and it has driven me crazy with its issues.

Before you worry about HTML5, or responsive templates, make sure you WAMP is set up properly and that you know where those files (your css and the html) are located and that you are calling them properly.

Quick test:

Create a ONE line/attribute CSS file (change a font, or change a color). close and save it (usually the top folder of the website, but can be anywhere)

Create an HTML file with one line:
call the css file created above in the head
<p>"Hello world!"</p>

And see if it works. If it does, then look at those paths in the responsive templates that do the same thing and make any adnjstments necessary.

No js, no other CSS. Just the above... Once you know your server is running correctly and you know the paths needed then things should begin to work.

I don't use MS expressions (still using HomeSite 4 ... grins), but can anyone tell if if MS Expressions can't edit an ordinary HTML file?

[lucy24]

HTML5 CSS3

Is this a CMS shorthand, as implied by the word "template"? HTML version and CSS version are separate and unrelated things: not "apples and oranges" but "apples and green".

[SteveMarsh]

HTML and Css 3 both are fully supported to all modern browser. Every browser Support to HTML 5, you should learn About HTML 5. CSS 3 generates gradient backgrounds and create drop shadow and animation.

[marycontrary]

Thank you guys so much! When choosing responsive templates, they are called html5 css3 templates. I totally got everything working. again thanks.

I am going with an old school xhtml template. I find those that are HTML5 with Css3 are ugly and very hard to work with, design wise. Totally got Xampp working, and can make changes via playing with "inspect element".

I would love to have a responsive design reflecting the most up to date advances, but I am really not impressed with HTML 5 templates. Just have a non responsive design that looks good on mobile. Not impressed at all.

[marycontrary]

Thank you guys so much! When choosing responsive templates, they are called html5 css3 templates. I totally got everything working. again thanks.

I am going with an old school xhtml template. I find those that are HTML5 with Css3 are ugly and very hard to work with, design wise. Totally got Xampp working, and can make changes via playing with "inspect element".

I would love to have a responsive design reflecting the most up to date advances, but I am really not impressed with HTML 5 templates. Just have a non responsive design that looks good on mobile. Not impressed at all.