Mosaic has the capability to change the background color of a page in the
prefs. I asked NCSA if it was possible for their program to read a "page
color" tag, and then set the page color appropriately. They told me that
would take a change in HTML specs and only then will they support it.
So here i am...As just about any designer would tell you,Web pages
definately have their design limitations. Probably the single most
substantial addition to HTML at this point in time regarding designing
and appearance of pages on the Web, would be the addition of this capability.
I realize that there are many HTML "technical" additions that may
certainly take precidence over this matter. However, with the Web growing
in use as it currently is, this capabilty would do much to differentiate
pages from each other not just in content, but in appearance.. a change
in appearance that certainly takes less bandwidth than inline images.
Quality designers have been slow to embrace this new medium, and i think
we could all agree that in many cases, they have been sorely needed. :)
The more "tools" that we could give them the better the attraction to the
Web.
It could be the responsibility of the Web Browser to ascertain the color
capabilities of the users monitor to display the colors appropriately.
The current "red" and "blue" colors of the hyper links could be an issue
with someone wanting a page color that would conflict with these links,
however, MANY other color could be chosen that would do fine.
Bradford Bohonus
Semaphore Internet Services Corporation
Seattle, Washington