ZERO HOUR & Co.

To us, making the best use of our own website means that aside from using it to show our wares, it also exists to experiment with new web technologies, extending both our toolbox and showcasing new possibilities.

Earlier in 2011 we implemented the latest of CSS3 and HTML5 trickery into the ZHC website, and as advanced as it was, the obvious drawback was accessibility.

Aside from cross-browser and operating system issues the more relevant concern in the age of roaming users is mobile compatibility. There are of course ways to counter these issues but is building three websites to do the job of one always necessary? For our own showcase website we think not, that said, the experiments are truly valuable.

In some cases using advanced trickery is ok, some concept websites sit nicely at the lead edge based on their core market and objectives. Since applying some fairly advanced techniques to the recently launched vtalk website we have returned our own website to simplicity and minimalism. This time round, from the outset, we shifted our focus to mobility.

This continual experimentation inevitably leads to progressive enhancements as each time some new innovations remain, working happily alongside the “tried and tested”.

Accessibility is a concern we often discuss, and of course it depends on a website's purpose, but it is not necessarily the fault of a user as to what technology or connection speed is available. Moreover, the internet should on the whole remain inclusive not exclusive.