It seems apparent that for the past several years web designers have become accustomed to the site rebuild (revamp). Not so much in an effort to keep up with client demands but rather to keep up with continuously updated proprietary browsers and new devices. As a direct result most web designers have become dependent on creating designs with complicated nested tables, introduced yet unsupported HTML tags, browser detection scripts and shared hacks while trying to look a little more organic in what has become an all to familiar boxed in table structure. These efforts are at best only marginally cross browser compatible and at times extremely complicated to update, inaccessible to those with disabilities and incompatible with new devices. The end result: inflated cost to the client to maintain image and content, creating undo stress in an already stressed economic environment and an insensitivity to the variety of devices and browsers used by end users.
Quote: "(WaSP) founded in 1998 - Web Standards Project is a grassroots coalition that has been fighting for standards that will ensure simple, affordable access to web technologies for all. The WaSP goal has been to reduce the cost and complexity of development while increasing the accessibility and long-term viability of any site published on the web."
Interesting concept: since the introduction of XHTML in January of 2003 and the release of new browsers that support the W3C CSS recommendations the concept of standardization may finally become a reality. Does this mean that the browser wars are finally over? That the original concept of separating content from presentation may be realized? Not without support! My hat is off to the WaSP for their endurance and efforts. But... For this concept to be successful designers and developers must commit to learning how to use web standards, and site owners and managers must be educated as to how these new standards can help their business. The revelation of web standards will not manifest itself on its own.