Here is a proposal for a design of the default Ruby on Rails scaffolding. All files use the doctype XHTML 1.0 strict. XHTML 1.0 strict should be served with the correct mime type "application/xhtml+xml". This is not implemented in these samples. There are three sample screens:
What has been taken into consideration?
- I have tried to keep the design as simple as possible. This means a minimal amount of code and images.
- I have tried to create an application look rather than a "fancy web site" look. Users who try out Rails probably want to get the feel of an appliaction.
- Design and layout is completely controlled by CSS rules.
- Minor adjustments have been done to increase accessibility (a hidden table header text for the show, edit, destroy column in the list view).
- The width of the edit form is based on the recommended line length to facilitate easy reading of text.
Tested platforms
The design proposal has been tested successfully on the following browser platforms:
- Firefox 1.0 on Windows XP
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 on Windows XP
- Jaws 5.1 (screen reader) on Windows XP
- Safari 1.2.4 on Mac OS X 10.3.7
- Opera 7.5.4 on Mac OS X 10.3.7
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 on Mac OS X 10.3.7
Pete (pete@standards-schmandards.com)