As, until recently, a government employee I was constantly harping on to my employers that as long as the core functionality is always there you can accept the fact that users are likely to have difference visual experiences across different browsers. When you go on to explain the likely cost of achieving pixel perfection across different user agents that can ‘lubricate’ your argument somewhat.

The main obstacle, however, is the pace with which public bodies themselves role out and upgrade their browsers. I can imagine most public sector bodies are locked down to the Windows environment, and a large proportion of those will still be running IE6 on most of their machines. When the decision makers are running relic software it does hamper your efforts to champion progressive enhancement in the visual design and delivery of public sector websites.

Christ! That’s what a real organisation should do, not what we’ve come to expect form the government. I need a lie down.

I know people have been pretty down on the web standards project since the debacle with the microsoft metatag, but this was a big win for the community, by the community. 400 people writing to the government with considered, reasoned objections led to something pretty damn decent.

I’m proud to have played a part in it.

If only the guidelines were mandatory!