Google released a lovely guidebook to the Web today, “20 Things I Learned about Browsers and the Web.” It includes simple explanations and answers to questions that many of us get asked by friends, family, students, patrons, and perhaps even strangers in Panera! (happens to me when I have my laptop out – do I look like a friendly, techie, librarian type?)
The guide reminds me of the 23 Things learning programs that libraries all over the world have run for staff. Each of the 20 “things” in the guidebook address questions like:
- What is the Internet
- Cloud Computing, or why it’s ok for a truck to crush your laptop
- Validating Identities Online, or “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
- Browser Cookies,
- Web Apps
And perhaps most appropriate here, read the “thing” on HTML5, for this project was created using HTML5/JavaScript/CSS3. This ebook, has the page-flipping feel of a paper book but with some subtly animated illustrations. Other enhanced features include an offline mode so you can read it later when disconnected from the ‘net. There’s also “night mode” feature, so you can read under the covers. 
Viewing the book in the latest beta version of Google Chrome also demonstrates a new PDF feature – the PDF version opens in a Chrome window without the need for an additional browser addon for viewing PDF files. Handy.
So, do take a gander at this. You’ll be able to explore a bit of what HTML5 based web experiences are like and maybe you’ll be able to use the answers next time Aunt Madge or Cousin Rocky tries to stump you with tech questions at a family gathering!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and colleagues here in the US. And thanks to ALL of you, wherever you are, for your friendship.
For more on the creation of this guide, read these two Google Chrome Blog posts:
