Microsoft.com adapts tableless Standards-based DIV/CSS layout
In a move that is consistent with the Web Standards and Accessibility friendly direction taken by Internet Explorer IE7, Microsoft has discontinued the use of table-based layout in favour of Web Standards and Accessibility conscious markup and CSS based layout and presentation of content on its website.
Trend to Web standards
Microsoft is often regarded as the nemesis of any organisation that seeks to selflessly champion standard practices and procedures. This is not without proof as the software monster is known for hijacking and attempting to make it's own versions of Javascript (Jscript), Java(J++) in a bid to 'embrace and extend' as coined by Jim Rapoza (eWeek). This notorious reputation makes many an Opensource advocate skeptical and even afraid to see Microsoft get on any bandwagon that he/she cares for (Anti-trust lawsuits, and their attempt to force feed us Activex and IE dominance still fresh in our minds).
To maintain a balanced opinion, one must admit that many standards conscious web developers and designers often have a problem with whatever Microsoft does. The more that Microsoft ignores Web Standards, the more it (Microsoft) becomes a weeping-boy for all the compatibility problems and proprietary practices on the Internet today. Conversely, the more Microsoft tries to adopt and support standards, the more weary we get that this software company has ulterior and selfish motives to take over standards to help feather its nest.
A weighted approach to this issue is to evaluate and see things for what they are without naively letting any player in the field of web and other open standards take ownership of the movement, and without letting suspicion hinder progress. I therefore welcome Microsoft's progress in the path of adopting Web Standards and demonstrating the same by converting heir website(s) from table-based layout to CSS based presentation.
Next Steps - Implications
We must expect and demand that they fully support Web Standards (W3C) and Accessibility (WAI). The day that this becomes a reality will be the end of non-standard and sloppy markup on the Internet. Microsoft is a leader and is unfortunately (until recently), an example to many when it comes to the standards to be used when creating websites.
Winners and Loosers
Needless to say, the above state of web nirvana has been achieved by a number of Web Standards pioneers such as Mozilla.com, W3C, ESPN.com, cmsproducer.com, boagworld.com; while able giants such as IBM, Sybase, DELL, Oracle as still using inaccessible table based layouts while they could quickly and easily upgrade their CMS templates. Like the innovative market leader that it is, Microsoft has made a timely move in the right direction by adopting tableless CSS based design that separates data from markup from design.
