Explore JapanExplore Japan
As you can see in our video below, we here at Explore Japan are embracing new technologies constantly, including Flash Multimedia, in order to give you the best 'armchair' travel experience!
We will be introducing XML technologies through a staggered rollout, redesigning in turn the Home page, Links page and each of the 'city'pages - Kyoto, Tokyo, Sapporo and Takayama using XML. This is being done to improve the accessibility of our website and enhance its interactivity, particularly for users who use mobile technology such as smart phones. Websites designed using HTML limit users to view the site via particular browsers, and are therefore dependent upon specific hardware and software. These limitations will be removed by the redesign incorporating XML, as explained below.
Firstly, our content will be absolutely up to date, as XML allows the use of CSS style sheets. This means that the syntax and display elements are kept separate. Therefore we will be able to update our website with details more rapidly, as we will not have to work within the layout - we will be able to access the content separately, and make the necessary changes - which will be much simpler and faster!
Secondly, as XML is software and hardware independent, and is based on simple text files, it allows data to be shared between different devices and applications. This means that with our redesigned webpages, not only will it be possible to view the site on a variety of devices, we will be able to easily integrate more interactive tools for you to access.
One of the tools we will include using XML in the near future is an RSS (real simple syndication) feed on each of the city pages. This will mean that whenever we update a page, if you have subscribed to our RSS feed, you will receive this update in your RSS feed reader. The ability for the data to be communicated between applications in this way is what differentiates XML and XHTML from standard HTML.
Another addition XML will allow will be an online booking page, and we will be launching this next month. This will mean you will be able book your flights and accommodation to Japan directly from the city pages of this website. The ability for the data you enter on the website to be shared with external flight and accommodation agencies is possible by the interoperability of XML.
References:
Bray, T., Why XML Doesn't Suck. Available at: http://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/200x/2003/03/24/XMLisOK [Accessed October 3, 2010].
Morris, T., 2010. Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML 5th ed., Boston, Mass: Pearson.
XML Introduction - What is XML? Available at: http://www.w3schools.com/xml/xml_whatis.asp [Accessed October 3, 2010].
XML, XML Tutorial, XML Tutorial Online, XML Examples, XML Tutorial Example. Available at: http://www.roseindia.net/tutorial/xml/index.html [Accessed October 3, 2010].
This website has been designed with Accessibility in mind for all users.
Every image and decorative feature has alternative text to allow those using text readers to access all content on the page.
Each page has been checked using the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) at http://wave.webaim.org/.
Each page has also been designed to enhance Accessibility by using colours with good contrast and a similar navigation
layout on each page. The website has been designed to be perceivable, operable, understandable,
and with future XML implementation planned, robust.
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Copyright © 2010 James Cantwell
All images and multimedia remain the property of James Cantwell.
Email: jimbo@jimbo.net.au