[whatwg] Suggested changes to Web Forms 2.0, 2004-07-01 working

[Matthew Raymond]

Jim Ley wrote:
> For example hundreds of millions of transactions have
> succesfully gone through HP openskies CGI scripts, which uses a simple
> double select drop down (and optional javascript approach if you need
> the datetime).   This is a known UI and very successful, how does a
> datetime control really improve the user experience in this case?

    It improves it in two ways. First, it allows the UA to present a 
standard control regardless of what web server is serving it up. This 
prevents the user from being confused about how a specific site's date 
picker works. Second, it allows the user to choose a theme or UA that 
suits them best. If they don't like how the date picker works in 
Firefox, they can change the theme or download a plug-in. Power goes to 
the user rather than the web developer.

    This also benefits the web server. By using a standard control, the 
servers no longer have to worry about serving up additional markup and 
Javascript for the date picker, which reduces load. It also allows the 
websites of smaller businesses who can't afford large web development 
budgets to provide a more professional and robust date picker rather 
than a text box or similar setup.