What we’ve done

The site was launched publicly a year ago today and what a year it’s been. We could never have expected the level of interest we’ve had nor that the site would be so well received. We’d like to thank you all for reading, commenting and linking to our articles. We intended the site to have a community feel and feel we’re continuing to work towards that.

Having met through twitter and then in person at FOWD 2009 the idea was formed over a few beers. The name derives from a certain Mr Zeldman’s “Ask Dr Web” (“A complete guide to web design”). You can find a little more on our history over on the about page.

We started with five doctors (Jack, Tom, Mike, Bruce & Rich), which became six just before launch when Remy came on board. We’ve since grown to seven with the indomitable Mr Studholme joining our ranks several months ago. Extra credit should also go to Brandan Lennox who knuckles away in the background studiously editing our copy. Between us we’ve managed to crank out more than a post a week, which we hope will increase in the coming year.

We’ve also had several guest authors who have covered some great topics such as audio in the browser, why designers should care about HTML5 and data attributes so thanks to Mark, Cennydd & Chris.

Last November we launched the glossary which offers an introductory view to HTML5 elements with code examples and links to our more in depth articles. It’s been a well used resource and we’re adding to it all the time, slowly building it up to be a complete resource.

In terms of events at least one of our team has spoken at a number of events in the past year, not least Bruce (with Martin Kliehm) being voted the 4th best talk at SXSWi. Also, earlier this month we ran a HTML5 clinic at Web Directions @Media in London. I think we managed to help quite a few people out down there. Remember to get in touch if you’re looking for someone to talk HTML5 at your event or you feel you need an emergency clinic setting up.

Future Plans

That’s enough looking back, now let’s start looking forward. We’ve got some cracking posts and super developments in the works for the coming months. I can’t say much more than that right now but I can tell you we’ll have articles on web forms, canvas, microdata and taking your applications offline in the not too distant future.

What we’d really love to do is to start writing articles that you, our readers want. So here’s your chance, if you’ve got a topic you’d like us to cover or an idea for the site then please leave a comment below. We’ll take a look through them and get writing.

A small gift

Everyone likes to receive a present on their birthday right? Well for our birthday we decided to give you a present, in the form of a handy flowchart to help you choose the most semantically appropriate HTML5 element. Those lucky folk who attended @media already received have a hard copy but here’s the electronic version you asked for.

Inspired by an original version sent in by Piotr (one of our readers) and developed by Oli the chart helps guide you through those tricky differences between header, footer, aside, section, article, figure and yes, div. It’s available in either pdf or png format.

We hope you find it useful and we’d love to hear any feedback you might have.

All that’s left for us to say is thanks for a great first year and here’s to the next one!

Happy 1st Birthday us originally appeared on HTML5 Doctor on June 29, 2010.

A Note about Web Directions @media

Founded in 2005, @media is recognised as one of the world’s leading conferences for web professionals. We pride ourselves on keeping up to date on the latest developments in the design and development world. That means HTML5 has a big presence in our program of hand-picked world-leading experts this year. Here’s a taste of some of the HTML5 related talks and workshops that are taking place:

• HTML5 Doctor Bruce Lawson gives the lowdown on HTML5 for web designers, covering new semantic markup features, the HTML5 video and audio elements, and much more
• Fellow clinician Remy Sharp gets out his scalpel and dissects what HTML5 has to offer for application developers. He’ll also be delivering a full-day workshop on the same topic
• Jeremy Keith delivers a full-day workshop on semantic markup featuring HTML5
• Jonathan Stark looks at how you can use web technologies including HTML5 to build native applications for platforms like Android, iPhone, and iPad
• Matt Biddulph, founder of Dopplr, looks at adding geolocation to your web applications

Plus much, much more! For a complete rundown on what’s going on, see the full @media schedule.

HTML5 Clinic

All of us at HTML5 Doctor are very excited to announce that there will also be a special HTML5 clinic as part of the @media Expo. Led by various HTML5 Doctors, we’ll help cure what ails you when it comes to HTML5. Full details of the clinic will be made available shortly. We’ll be sure to let you know first.

Discount Codes

We’ve managed to get you a great discount on both the workshops and conference attendance. All you have to do is use the discount code ‘HTML5Dr‘ when booking and you’ll be eligible for the following:

1. HTML5 Doctor Remy Sharp’s “HTML5 for Web App Developers” workshop for £275 (£50 off)
2. Jeremy Keith’s “Get Semantic with Microformats and HTML5″ for £275 (£50 off)
3. Conference attendance for £399 (before discount period ends [around May 7th])
4. Conference attendance for £449 (after discount period ends)

So be sure to get the best deal on tickets and book before May 7th! If you’re going, let us know by leaving a comment below. We hope to see you all there!

HTML5 Doctor at Web Directions @media originally appeared on HTML5 Doctor on April 29, 2010.