ERDivaLook

Version 115.1 by Ravi Mendis on 2009/04/23 03:31

What is ERDivaLook?

Much like ExcelLook, that vends excel pages, Diva look generates a Web 2.0 interface for DirectToWeb.
More specifically, it generates pages that are:

  • Semantically-rich or tables-less
  • XHTML 1.0 strict compliant
  • Sans images, inline styles or presentation attributes
  • Require a CSS theme

Why Table-less Markup?

Scriptaculous, jQuery effects, etc work by manipulating CSS attributes.
Mostly they don't work very well on tables, if at all.
Furthermore, the more sophisticated widgets (like accordions) make use of effects and so don't function as they should without.

This is even more true for unobtrusive javascript for which table-less markup is usually a prerequisite.
Like jQuery, which takes this a step further, by applying functionality via CSS selectors.
(So for jQuery it is an absolute requirement).

Therefore, if you are developing a Web 2.0/Ajax UI, the transition to table-less markup is an imperative.

What is a Diva Theme?

In ERDivaLook, or Diva look for short, your application is not complete without a CSS theme.
All images, layout, colors and font information are maintained in the CSS.

All your customizations to the look and layout of your application is also done in the CSS (and via D2W rules).

Example Diva look themes:

         Neutral                                              WebObjects                                               Simple                                     Organica                   
 Picture 1.jpg                             Picture 2.jpg                                Picture 3.jpg             slides_directtoweb_04.jpg.jpeg 
 D2W Neutral look reverse engineered
as a Diva Theme 
 D2W WebObjects look reverse engineered
as a Diva Theme 
 'Simple' theme from csszengarden.com  'Organica' theme from csszengarden.com