browser compatibility using css3 js [closed]

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Im embarking on a project to build a new website.

From what I can see a lot of people are just going straight for css3 and ajax nowadays and not bothering to support browsers that dont have JS installed. They are using a number of workarounds such as enabling css3 through javascript in older browsers

Is this the ideal way now?

Answer 1

This really depends on the case. If you need to support older browsers like IE<9 and you need to do some fancy stuff not supported you can use a set of libraries 'faking' this new features for you. If you do not have to support older browsers or don't need to do fancy stuff you do not have a problem really. Check out http://www.caniuse.com to quickly see what features is supported in what browser (versions).

Answer 2

my suggestion would be what is called "progressive enhancement":

Progressive Enhancement means that each layer (content, followed by markup, styles, and then behavior) builds upon the next, ensuring that the core content is accessible along the way for less capable browsers and devices. It’s not about specifics like whether your website works with JavaScript, CSS3 Animations, or icon fonts. It’s not even about technology. At its core, Progressive Enhancement means thinking about a web page from the content out.

http://cognition.happycog.com/article/progressive-enhancement-its-about-the-content

start simple, and add Unobtrusive JavaScript and Css3 in a manner that, if not supported, they don't block the user from being able to navigate and use the website.

Answer 3

The question of cross-browser development, JS and CSS3 support, fallback, workarounds and degradation is the question of time and money. In some cases supporting of the old or non-trivial browsers could take about a half of the time you spent on development. Time is money. If you not sure such browsers will share a lot of the amount of visitors (which are your potential customers), should this time to be spent?

At the moment even IE8 shares only 4.31%. And it supports JS.