![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Why a New Template?
Why are we redoing a template that looks good, is rated as accessible, and we know how to use? It's going to take a lot of time and resources.
The simple answer: It's time to take advantage of cascading style sheets (CSS) and modern browsers to create a more corporate web site at EPA. Using a standard look-and-feel template that incorporates standard web practices, improves accessibility, and decreases file size and those associated costs moves EPA into a new generation of web work.
Template 2.1.1:
- forces users to download unnecessarily larger pages
- wastes server bandwidth
- inefficiently uses an abundance of tables and spacer gifs used to layout the page
- requires a special link to print pages
- lacks flexibility because it uses tables to create the layout
- locks font size (an accessibility issue)
- the CSS is only used for FAC. CSS can do more.
- to change the look-and-feel, every page has to be touched, which is inefficient and costly
- best available template in 2002, but it's time to adapt newer web practices
Template 3.2.1:
- adopts web industry standards, preparing the way for valuable upgrades
- pages load faster, making content easier to access
- saves EPA $$ on bandwidth and storage with smaller and fewer files
- improves accessibility
- content available to more devices (including mobile)
- improves user control (e.g., font size is adjustable)
- code better for assistive technologies (e.g., less "noise", improved organization)
- showcases the power of our new search engine, while adding common search interface across the site
- reduces furture effort for any look-and-feel change. Change a single file and the new look will be used by every page.
- prepares EPA for a move to a Content Management System (which requires the XHTML used in the new template)
- uses a consolidated javascript in the template, allows for agency wide action without a per page effort. (e.g., Agency wide announcements, customer satisfaction survey)
- and following an essential learning period, decrease the time developers spend on formatting pages allowing more time for quality content.
| Template 2.1.1 | Template 3.2.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tables used | 7 (4 nested) | 0 |
| Spacer gifs | 12 | 0 |
| Total <img> tags | 17 | 1 |
| CSS bg-images | 1 | 5 |
| Browsers supported | Most | Most modern* |
| HTML file size | 11.2 KB | 5.3 KB |
| File size reduction | - | 53% |
| * Non-so-modern browsers receive unstyled content | ||
Other differences between the new template and the old one (2.1.1).
