Sessions Fronteers 2008 conference

On September 11th and 12th, the Fronteers 2008 conference took place in Amsterdam.

The conference featured a main track in which ten industry leaders shared their thoughts on a narrowly defined topic of their own choice.

Internet Explorer 8: Microsoft Next Generation Browser by Pete LePage

Internet Explorer 8 will change the way designers and developers work, providing better standards support for CSS 2.1, HTML 4.01, and even features from HTML5. We'll also take a look at new features in Internet Explorer 8, like Accelerators and Web Slices, great new features that let you create persistent connection to your user.

Part 2 can be found on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1856210

Maintainable CSS by Stephen Hay

Given the current complexity of websites, it's becoming increasingly important to create maintainable code. Maintainable CSS is clean, easy to work with, understandable to other developers and relatively simple for others to change or build upon.

In this session, Stephen Hay shares ideas, tips and practical advice on the effective and maintainable authoring, organization and documentation of CSS code. From semantic HTML, template sets and multiple CSS files to code formatting, attribute order, version control and editor efficiencies, this session covers plenty of ground.

Maintainable JavaScript by Christian Heilmann

One thing to be aware of when writing JavaScript is that everybody thinks they can change your script. This session shows tips and tricks how to create JavaScripts that can be maintained by people who are not you and still produce working code. If you work in large or distributed teams, these are a real must to work effectively.

Part 2 can be found on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1919908

Object Oriented Design in Web Applications by Tom Occhino

Tom will talk about the various solutions to inheritance in JavaScript frameworks, and the pros and cons of using it. He will talk about how to use Object Oriented design to create more efficient and concise code for web applications.

Programming with XML and Javascript by Gerbert Kaandorp

In this talk the advantages and disadvantages of programming with JavaScript and XML are highlighted. We will discuss a number of XML standards, how they are used, and what they mean for your organisation. Also we will try to demonstrate a number of actual use cases for these technologies.

Secrets of JavaScript Closures by Stuart Langridge

Stuart Langridge talks about closures in JavaScript, what they are, how they trip you up, how you create them accidentally, and what a powerful tool they make. With great power comes great responsibility: here's how to do it right. Bring your brain, and a tolerance for jokes.

Part 2 can be found on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1966626

Standards compliance: why bother? by Raph de Rooij

As a cutting-edge web front end developer, you just know that web standards are the right thing to do. But it's not easy to convince others that they are important: the work of visual designers and other web specialists generally receives more appreciation.
With the Web Guidelines, the Dutch government has created a reference that recognises the craftsmanship of front-enders. And provides tooling for website owners to get a better grip on the process of realising web projects.

Part 2 can be found on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1974884

Understanding the CSS box model by Bert Bos

The CSS box model is basically unchanged since 1996. That doesn't mean it is always well understood nor that it is complete. A detailed look can reveal its power, but also missing features, e.g., w.r.t. centering, leading and vertical text. This talk explores the limits and necessary future extensions of the box model.

Video in HTML5 by Anne van Kesteren

HTML5 is the next version of HTML, one which you'll probably be using in a couple of years from now. This talk will focus on the new <video> element introduced by HTML5 and its associated API, though a short introduction to HTML5 as well as information on recent developments will also be provided.

Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards (CSS Positioning) by Andy Clarke

Do you think that you understand CSS Positioning and have pushed it beyond its limits? Or are you one of those designers or developers who have abandoned positioning for floats? In this packed, practical session, designer and author Andy Clarke will redefine how you think about positioning and will explain its possibilities through a series of easy-to-understand, original examples that will have you slapping your forehead thinking "why didn't I think of that?"

Panels

Fronteers 2008 also featured a secondary track that wholly consisted of specialist panels. These sessions were more interactive than the main ones. Although a few panelists had prepared a short, 5 to 10 minute presentation, the focus was firmly on questions from the audience. The panelists were here not to deliver their own presentations, but to answer your questions.