Adhering to the established web standards can go a long way toward expanding your audience, especially to Linux users. Presented at OpenBeta 3.

1. Linux Users areLinux Users are
People, Too!People, Too!
Charles SoutherlandCharles Southerland
Stuph LabsStuph Labs
OpenBeta3OpenBeta3
The Importance of OpenThe Importance of Open
Standards in the WebStandards in the Web

2. So what is the problem?So what is the problem?
Simply put, if any potential user of aSimply put, if any potential user of a
website is unable to see or use anywebsite is unable to see or use any
aspect of that website in the exactaspect of that website in the exact
manner in which it was designed, thenmanner in which it was designed, then
the website isthe website is brokenbroken..

3. Unfortunately, many Linux users haveUnfortunately, many Linux users have
become used to broken websites.become used to broken websites.

4. Admittedly, the side-effects of certainAdmittedly, the side-effects of certain
broken websites can be good for us...broken websites can be good for us...

5. ...but broken websites are never a good...but broken websites are never a good
thing for business.thing for business.

6. Many websites that look fine on oneMany websites that look fine on one
particular platform...particular platform...

7. ……do not look fine on another.do not look fine on another.

8. These broken websites often effectThese broken websites often effect
users of other operating systems, too.users of other operating systems, too.

9. Of course, the issues with brokenOf course, the issues with broken
websites are a two-way street...websites are a two-way street...

10. Not even Windows users are immuneNot even Windows users are immune
to the plague of broken websites.to the plague of broken websites.

11. Broken websites very rarely look goodBroken websites very rarely look good
on mobile devices.on mobile devices.

12. Web crawlers and screen readers onlyWeb crawlers and screen readers only
see text and relative position.see text and relative position.

13. What ever can we do, oh wise one?What ever can we do, oh wise one?
Here are 5 easyHere are 5 easy
steps you can takesteps you can take
that will make athat will make a
huge difference inhuge difference in
usability for thoseusability for those
of us on otherof us on other
platforms.platforms.

14. Step 1: ALT/TITLE TAGS!Step 1: ALT/TITLE TAGS!

15. Step 2: Test Multiple PlatformsStep 2: Test Multiple Platforms
(Not Just Multiple Browsers)(Not Just Multiple Browsers)

16. Step 3: Hold Back on Flash, Java,Step 3: Hold Back on Flash, Java,
Silverlight, Proprietary Formats, etc.Silverlight, Proprietary Formats, etc.

17. Step 4: Design Belongs in CSSStep 4: Design Belongs in CSS

18. Step 5: ValidatorsStep 5: Validators

19. In Conclusion:In Conclusion:
Small steps like these can make a hugeSmall steps like these can make a huge
difference in the usability of yourdifference in the usability of your
website on other platforms. Even thewebsite on other platforms. Even the
smallest amount of effort to fix yoursmallest amount of effort to fix your
broken website will be appreciated.broken website will be appreciated.

20. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
Stuph Labs is a new GNU/LinuxStuph Labs is a new GNU/Linux
consulting and support companyconsulting and support company
based in Oklahoma City.based in Oklahoma City.
For more information, visit our websiteFor more information, visit our website
atat http://stuph.net/http://stuph.net/, or email me at, or email me at
charlie@stuphlabs.comcharlie@stuphlabs.com..