Simple Markup

on February 4, 2006

Chris notes his predilection for simple markup. At CentreSource, we have used a few different products that use methods for simple markup, including mediawiki. I like the idea of a simple markup language, but the reality is that they are implemented in an obscure and often counter-intuitive fashion. That, combined with the fact that nearly every product has a different markup style, makes it very difficult for people to adapt to.

I think that a standardized, simple markup language with an emphasis on being intuitive would help. However I think it’s an issue that will quickly be made moot, as the quality of embedded editors like FCKeditor improve and become ubiquitous, allowing people to use HTML. I don’t know if FCKeditor supports this now, but it’s very easy to imagine an AJAX layer of something like FCKeditor that auto-saves content on the fly, as well, eliminating the chances of an untimely browser crash wiping out your unsaved content.

CHRIS is best identified by the ubiquitous camera around his neck. A true local, Chris is from Nashville, TN. He once had an ongoing argument with an artist behind an online political comic that lasted for several years. It turned out that their families were holler neighbors from many years ago, a modern-day Hatfields & McCoys. (If you understood any of those last two sentences, you are clearly from the south.) Two more fun facts just because: Chris bought one of his first cars from Dean Ween from the band Ween and he will beat you at chess.