introduction: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:15, 17 December 2023

What are Microformats?

Microformats are a way of adding simple markup to human-readable data items such as events, contact details or locations, on web pages, so that the information in them can be extracted by software and indexed, searched for, saved, cross-referenced or combined.

More technically, they are items of semantic markup, using just standard "plain old semantic HTML" (i.e. "POSH") with a set of common class-names and "rel" values. They are open and available, freely, for anyone to use.

Why Microformats

Why did we come up with microformats?

In short, microformats are the convergence of a number of trends:

a logical next step in the evolution of web design and information architecture
a way for people and organizations to publish richer information themselves, without having to rely upon centralized services
an acknowledgement that (outside of specialist areas) "traditional" metadata efforts (e.g. meta tags) have either failed or taken so long to garner any adoption, that a new approach was necessary
a way to use well formed HTML for data.

The Appeal to Simplicity

Microformats are a simple effort which has appealed to many frustrated with previous complex efforts.

One parallel that has been drawn is to REST in the API / web services world - for more on REST see suggested reading on REST.

Get Started

It's easy to get started with microformats:

get-started with adding microformats to your HTML

Learn More

Learn more about microformats from the microformats.org

External Resources

Emily Lewis's excellent series of articles:
- A Blog Not Limited: Getting Semantic With Microformats Series
Sitepoint has a nice introductory tutorial:
- Microformats - Plugging the Gaps in HTML
Premasagar has written up
- some nice microformats examples with source.

Translations

introduction-pt-br (see also introduction-pt-br-2)
...

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<entry-title>Introduction to Microformats</entry-title>
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Introduction to Microformats}}
-__TOC__
+== What are Microformats? ==
-== Tips for Selecting a Search Engine Marketing Company  ==
-Perhaps you have just launched a website or you have been working for some time trying to perfect the art of search engine optimization (SEO) but you have decided that you would like some professional help. If you are wondering how to choose a Search Engine Optimization Company, you have come to the right place. SEO is a powerful tool in improving the visibility of your site and ultimately your business or yourself. SEO can be a time consuming process, which is why a qualified SEO company can be a valuable resource. But beware! Not all Search Engine Optimization Companies are equal, so here are some tips about how to choose right one.
+Microformats are a way of adding simple markup to human-readable data items such as events, contact details or locations, on web pages, so that the information in them can be extracted by software and indexed, searched for, saved, cross-referenced or combined.
-There are a massive number of Search Engine Optimization Companies that can be found by simply conducting an internet search. Of course, this does not necessarily help you when it comes to choosing a company that is right for you. More importantly, there are a number of firms that promise services they cannot provide. Nevertheless, if you know what to look for, you will find an effective Search Engine Optimization Company.
+More technically, they are items of semantic markup, using just standard "plain old semantic HTML" (i.e. "[[POSH]]") with a set of common [[class-names]] and "[[rel]]" values. They are open and available, freely, for anyone to use.
-'''Tip # 1: No SEO Company can Guarantee a #1 Ranking.'''
+== Why Microformats ==
-Many Search Engine Optimization companies will promise you top ranking on Google or other search provider searches. It is impossible to guarantee a #1 ranking and you would have good reason to doubt the qualifications of any SEO firm that makes such a promise.
+Why did we come up with microformats?
-'''Tip #2: Get Recommendations.'''
+In short, microformats are the convergence of a number of trends:
+# a logical next step in the evolution of web design and information architecture
+# a way for people and organizations to publish richer information themselves, without having to rely upon centralized services
+# an acknowledgement that (outside of speci<span class="notspam">alist</span> areas) "traditional" metadata efforts (e.g. meta tags) have either failed or taken so long to garner any adoption, that a new approach was necessary
+# a way to use well formed [[HTML]] for data.
-Nothing beats word of mouth recommendations when it comes to finding qualified professionals that provide valuable services. Speak to friends, colleagues, and even other business owners about their experiences with different companies.
+== The Appeal to Simplicity ==
-'''Tip #3: Research the Company.'''
+* Microformats are a simple effort which has appealed to many frustrated with previous complex efforts.
-Make sure to do your research on the history and successes of any potential Search Engine Optimization Company before you decide to do business with them. A simple online search can provide a wealth of information about SEO companies, including comments in forums from past clients.
+One parallel that has been drawn is to REST in the API / web services world - for more on REST see [[suggested-reading#REST|suggested reading on REST]].
-'''Tip #4: Ask for a Proof.'''
+==Get Started ==
-If you plan to hire a company to optimize your site, it only makes sense to have a look at other sites they have worked on. If a SEO company is not willing to share other sites that they have worked on, this should be a warning to you. Websites are not confidential, so you should be able to ask for a few examples of past work.
+It's easy to get started with microformats:
+* [[get-started]] with adding microformats to your HTML
-'''Tip #5: Check their Own Site.'''
+==Learn More ==
-If a SEO company has done a poor job of optimizing their own site, this is an indication that they will not be able to help you. Alternatively, if their site ranks well in searches and is optimized for keywords, you know they know their business.
+Learn more about microformats from the microformats.org
+* [http://microformats.org/about/ about page],
+* [http://microformats.org/ blog],
+* [[faq|FAQ]],
+* [[articles]],
+* [[press]],
+* [[presentations]],
+* [[books]],
+* [[podcasts]],
+* [[screencasts]],
+* and more [[suggested-reading|suggested reading]].
-'''Tip #6: Consider the Cost.'''
+==See Also==
-Obviously, every business has a budget so you need to make sure the SEO company you choose fits into y our budget. Still, a high price does not necessarily guarantee quality and a cheap price may also indicate poor quality. While your budget needs to be a consideration, you should put more weight on the qualifications and success record of a particular SEO company. In addition, you should not expect to get a professional SEO company for pennies. A qualified SEO professional should quote a realistic price.
+* [[testimonials]]
+* [[implement|So you want to implement microformats?]]
-For more information, please visit http://www.vnwebsolutions.ca/services/search-engine-optimization.html
+== External Resources==
-== Why Microformats ==
+* Emily Lewis's excellent series of articles:
+** [http://ablognotlimited.com/articles/tag/Getting+Semantic+series/ A Blog Not Limited: Getting Semantic With Microformats Series]
+* Sitepoint has a nice introductory tutorial:
+** [http://reference.sitepoint.com/html/microformats Microformats - Plugging the Gaps in HTML]
+* Premasagar has written up
+** [http://premasagar.com/microformats/compound/ some nice microformats examples with source].
-Why did we come up with microformats?
+== Translations ==
-In short, microformats are the convergence of a number of trends:
-# a logical next step in the evolution of web design and information architecture
-# a way for people and organisations to publish richer information themselves, without having to rely upon centralized services
-# an acknowledgement that (outside of speci<span class="notspam">alist</span> areas) "traditional" metadata efforts have either failed or taken so long to garner any adoption, that a new approach was necessary
-# a way to use [[(X)HTML]] for data.
-== The Appeal to Simplicity ==
-* Microformats are a simple effort which has appealed to many frustrated with previous complex efforts. One parallel that can be drawn is to REST in the web services world - for more on REST see [[suggested-reading#REST|suggested reading on REST]].
-* See: [http://www.justinleavesley.com/journal/2005/7/28/web-services-and-the-innovators-dilemma.html Web Services and the Innovators Dilemma] by Justin Leavesley
-==See also==
-* A list of [[notable-users|some notable users]].
-* Recent [[press]] interviews and [[articles]] are also a good introduction.
-* See microformat [[presentations]] for more background and introductory material on [[microformats]].
-* Listen to [[podcasts]] about microformats.
-* Read the [[faq|FAQs]] for general microformat queries.
-* More [[suggested-reading|suggested reading]]
-* [[implement|So you want to implement microformats?]]
-* [[presentations]]
-* [[podcasts]]
-* [[testimonials]]
-== external ==
-* Sitepoint has a nice introductory tutorial: [http://reference.sitepoint.com/html/microformats Microformats - Plugging the Gaps in HTML]
-* Premasagar has written up [http://premasagar.com/microformats/compound/ some nice microformats examples with source].
-== Translations ==
 * [[introduction-pt-br]] (see also [[introduction-pt-br-2]])
 * ...