Updates Log
March-09 release
New standards & guidelines:
Self-voicing Guidelines v0.1
This document aims to help those considering the use of self-voicing on their website to choose the most appropriate and cost-effective production and delivery techniques in order to achieve the production of a site that is both accessible and delivers a good user experience. This guideline is a temporary measure and more complete guidance will be delivered when available.
Released: March 2009
Revised standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Guidelines v1.4
Clause 3.9 added requiring use of HTML text buttons. Use of new windows and pop-ups restricted to the presentation of media players only. Added requirement that A/V content must not autoplay unless announced as such.
Updated: March 2009
Use of Colour and Colour-contrast v1.5
Minor change: URL to Juicy Studio Analyser in section 3.1 updated to link to WCAG 2.0-compliant test. Explanatory notes also added.
Updated: March 2009
Browser Support v3.4
Internet Explorer 8 added, Firefox 1.0.x moved to level 3 support, testing must be done on Firefox 3.0.6 for PC only, recommended to test on Firefox 3.0.6 for Mac and additionally 2.0.16 for PC, Chrome 1.0.x added, sites now must be tested on Opera 9.64 for PC. Testing must be done for Safari 3.2.1 on Mac and should be done for Safari 3.2.1 and 2.x on PC.
Updated: March 2009
February-09 release
Revised standards & guidelines:
URL Requirements v1.06
Update to permissions required for URLs containing celebrity/personality names.
Updated: February 2009
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Use of Colour and Colour-Contrast v1.5
Minor change: updated URL to Juicy Studio Analyser in section 3.1.
Updated: February 2009
December-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Subtitling Guidelines v1.0
These guidelines provide information about the BBC's requirement to deliver subtitles for online A/V content.
Created: December 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
Global Visual Language Guidelines v2.0
Includes updates to: the global masthead design, including masthead modes (solid or semi-transparent) and using the masthead for internationally-facing sites; guidelines for using the local masthead; and information on standard fonts.
Updated: December 2008
Textual Equivalents Standards v2.5
Further details added on using sIFRs.
Updated: December 2008
XHTML Integrity Standards v1.3
Added information regards linking to filenames and including trailing slashes "/" in directories. Updated information on sIFR usage and using maps. Added link to the Handling Complaints website.
Updated: December 2008
November-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Multimedia Accessibility Standards v1.0
This standard defines how to ensure that any multimedia technologies used on BBC sites are as accessible as possible to all of our audience.
Created: November 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
URL Requirements v1.05
Added information about using well-known personalities' names in tlds, and public access to BBC online sites.
Updated: November 2008
October-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Mapping Usage Standards v1.0
This standard defines which mapping providers site producers can use on bbc.co.uk sites.
Created: October 2008
September-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Digital Identities Style Guide
This style guide describes how to reference our digital platforms.
Created: August 2008
Tone of Voice Guidelines
These guidelines are aimed at technical staff who occasionally write pieces of editorial content for bbc.co.uk, such as help text, or error messages.
Created: September 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
Audio-Video Addendum v1.5
Instructions on how to apply G for Guidance labelling, procedures to follow when syndicating content, and further definition around how to distribute Flash content outside the UK.
Updated: September 2008
Browser Support Standard v3.3
Support for FireFox v3, Chrome and Opera v9.52 added. Netscape column retired from table.
Updated: September 2008
File Extensions Standard v1.0.7
Minor revisions.
Updated: September 2008
HTML Metadata Standard v1.0.1
Minor revisions.
Updated: September 2008
August-08 release
Revised standards & guidelines:
Audio-Video Addendum v1.4
Use of the EMP further defined.
Updated: August 2008
July-08 release
Revised standards & guidelines:
Cookies Standard v2.0
Revised to include new cookie sizes and limits.
Updated: July 2008
Technical Implementation of DPA v1.1
Revised to ensure all personal data (sensitive and non-sensitive) is transitted securely.
Updated: July 2008
XHTML Integrity Standards v1.2
Section 5.2 modified to specify character sets used are
UTF-8.Updated: July 2008
June-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Screen-Reader Testing Guidelines v1.0
New guidelines around how to carry out screen-reader testing on bbc.co.uk sites.
Created: June 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Guidelines v1.3
Revisions made to section 8 on subtitling for AV content, and section 10 on providing accessible forms.
Updated: June 2008
Audio-Video Addendum v1.3
Revised to clarify section 5.1 about worldwide funding of Flash video content for an international audience.
Updated: June 2008
Browser Support Standard 3.2
Support for Internet Explorer on a Mac has been moved to level 3.
Updated: June 2008
Page Download Standards 1.1
Download limit for Barlesque-based pages using the Global Visual Language has been temporarily increased to 300KB.
Updated: June 2008
Semantic mark-up v1.5
Information added about using microformats (section 9).
Updated: June 2008
Textual Equivalents Standards v2.3
Section 4.4 has been added on ensuring title attributes contain human-readable data.
Updated: June 2008
May-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
Brand Guidelines for the Digital Space
This describes the main guidelines to be considered when creating or adapting brands for web, mobile or digital TV platforms.
Created: May 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
Visual Language v1.0.6
Updates to the new design guidelines for bbc.co.uk page templates, including changes to the global masthead colour palette, and instructions on positioning Flash content.
Created: May 2008
April-08 release
New standards & guidelines:
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AV Addendum v1.0
Addendum to the existing Audio-Video Standard that provides the latest information on using Flash and the Embedded Media Player (EMP) for streaming video content on BBC websites.
Created: April 2008
Barlesque vs 1.0
New standard providing guidance on using the new Barlesque template for developing bbc.co.uk websites.
Created: April 2008
XHTML Integrity Standards v1.1
New standard that defines the XHTML standards to which you must adhere when coding bbc.co.uk sites.
Updated: April 2008
Revised standards & guidelines:
Customising Content Using Cookies, Registration and Single Sign-On (SSO) v1.2
Revised to include guidelines on using CAPTCHAs.
Updated: April 2008
HTML Integrity Standards v1.4
Revised to include guidelines on using Google maps and sIFRs.
Updated: April 2008
Textual Equivalents v2.2
Revised to include guidelines on using sIFRs.
Updated: April 2008
Visual Language v1.0.5
Updates to the new design guidelines for bbc.co.uk page templates. Design assets
have also been added to the site.Updated: March 2008
Dec-07 release
Revised standards & guidelines:
Browser Support v3.1
Revisions after quarterly review of browser use on bbc.co.uk
Updated: November 2007
Page Layout => Visual Language v1.0
New design guidelines for the widening of page templates across bbc.co.uk.
Replaces previous Page Layout Standards.
Updated: December 2007
JavaScript v1.1
Minor changes in section 2 to clarify progressive enhancement
Updated: December 2007
Use of Colour and Colour-contrast v1.1
Minor changes to make the standard more concise and clear
Updated: November 2007
Keyboard access v1.1
Removed access keys for the moment
Updated: November 2007
Accessibility Guidelines v1.2
Minor changes to clarify the standard, mostly around JavaScript
Updated: November 2007
Multimedia Plug-In Content v1.14
Updated to refer to the new Flash Accessibility and PDF Accessibility standards
Updated: November 2007
New standards & guidelines:
Flash Accessibility v1.0
New standards for assuring accessibility of Flash content
Created: November 2007
PDF Accessibility v1.0
New standards for assuring accessibility of PDF content, and guidance for producing accessible PDFs with Microsoft Word and Acrobat Professional 8
Created: November 2007
Apr-07 release
Revised standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Guidelines v1.1
Minor changes agreed in the work group to clarify section 3.1 and 3.1.2, as amended by Tech Forum
Updated: March 2007
Text Equivalents v2.1
Two additions to section 3. describing the use of title attributes, as amended by Tech Forum
Updated: March 2007
Jan-07 release
New standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Standard v1.0
re-drafted standard to ensure WAI priority 1 compliance and including some priority 2 and 3 requirements
Updated: November 2006
Updated standards & guidelines:
Semantic markup v 1.4
Further defining the semantics of specific HTML tags to ensure consistency and facilitate improved accessibility
Updated: November 2006
Text Equivalents v 2.0
Further development to separate and define the functions of alt and title attributes.
Updated: November 2006
Search Metadata v 2.0
A substantial refresh of these standards to improve findability.
Updated: December 2006
Text Links v 2.0
A general tightening up of this standard and support for a 'hack' to improve accessibility.
Updated: November 2006
Browser Support v 3.0
A redraft of this standard to redefine levels and objectives of support.
Updated: November 2006
Oct-06 release
New standards & guidelines:
Application Usage Tracking (dot metric) v1.0
Last updated: October 2006
Semantic Mark-up v1.0
Last updated: October 2006
Updated standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Checklist v1.1
Last updated: September 2006
Use of Colour and Colour-contrast v1.02
Last updated: September 2006
Audio-Video Standards v1.55
Last updated: September 2006
HTML Integrity Standards v1.3
Last updated: June 2006
File Extensions Standards v1.06
Last updated: June 2006
Page Layout standard v1.1
Last updated: July 2006
URL requirements v1.05
Last updated: September 2006
Jul-06 release
New standards & guidelines:
Technical implementation of DPA v 1.0
Last updated: June 2006
Updated standards & guidelines:
Server-Side Application Development Standards v1.08
Last updated: June 2006
Audio-Video Standards v1.54
Last updated: June 2006
Apr-06 release
New standards & guidelines:
Designing for interactive television
Design standards for BBCi
Version: 1.0 (2006): Last updated: March 2006
Javascript standard
Technical standard for bbc.co.uk
Version: 1.0 (2006): Last updated: March 2006
Updated standards & guidelines:
Cookies standard
Version: V1 Last updated: March 2006
Cascading Stylesheets
Version: V1.1 Last updated: February 2006
File extensions standard
Version: V1.04 Last updated: March 2006
HTML integrity
Version: V1.1 Last updated: February 2006
Multimedia Plugins standard
Version: V1.13 Last updated: March 2006
RSS
Version: V1 Last updated: March 2006
URL standard
Version: V1.1 Last updated: November 2005
Jan-06 release
New standards & guidelines:
iTV Technical Guidelines
General technical guidelines for third parties developing services for BBCi
Version: 1.0: Last updated: June 2005.
iTV Content Interface Schema v1.6
Interactive TV Content Interface Specification (iCI)
Version: 1.6: Last updated: June 2005.
Designing for interactive television
Design standards for BBCi
Version: 1.0: Last updated: July 2005
Styleguide for producing red triggers and bridge graphics
Design standards for BBCi
Version: 1.0: Last updated: Nov 2005
Email standard
Standards for collecting collection of user email addresses and formatting, processing, delivery of email for bbc.co.uk.
Version: 1.0: Last updated: Nov 2005
Updated standards & guidelines:
Browser support standard
Version: V2.12 Last updated: Nov 2005
File extensions standard
Version: V1.03 Last updated: Nov 2005
HTML integrity
Version: V1.08 Last updated: Nov 2005
Server-side Application Development
Version: V1.06 Last updated: Nov 2005
Apr-05 release (first non-draft release)
New standards & guidelines:
Database Design & Development Standards v1.00
Standards for designing and developing live database (backed) applications on bbc.co.uk.
Keyboard Access (Access Keys) Standards v1.00
Standards for enabling keyboard navigation of bbc.co.uk pages and use of Access Keys.
Customising Content for users - use of Cookies, Registration and Single Sign-On v1.00
Standards for customising users' experiences of sites on bbc.co.uk using cookies or registration.
Page Layout Standards v1.00
Page Layout standards for bbc.co.uk sites and pages.
(Implementing Page Layout Standards Using) Barley v1.00
Guide on how to use the bbc.co.uk standard Barley templating system to create bbc.co.uk sites which comply with the bbc.co.uk Page Layout Standards.
Updated standards & guidelines:
-
Link Standards v1.12
Standards updated to give clearer indication of requirements (esp. from accessibility) [replaces old Appendix C].
Accessibility Checklist v0.20
Now links to Links Standards and Keyboard Access (Access Keys) Standards.
HTML Integrity Standards v1.07
Standards updated to link to new Page Layout and Barley documents, and with new requirements for handling Personal Information [now encompasses all useful information in old Chapter 4].
(Server-Side) Application Development Standards v1.04
Standards updated to include application submission/approval procedure, use of Script Wiki and CVS, link to new Database Standards, new requirements for handling Personal Information.
-
C++ Coding Guidelines v1.07
Best practice C++ coding guidelines for bbc.co.uk projects (old coding standards downgraded to guideline status) [replaces old Appendix B].
-
Perl Coding Guidelines v1.09
Best practice Perl coding guidelines for bbc.co.uk projects (essential standards moved to App Dev Standards, this doc not contains guidelines only) [replaces old Appendix A].
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Audio-Video Standards v1.53
Standards updated to include non-streaming download media (MP3s and Flash Video download); also include file-naming convention to handle music reporting, and more information on handling live events.
Multimedia Plug-In Content (Flash) Standards v1.07
Standards updated to include requirements and constraints for support of Flash Video downloads.
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Development, Testing, Installation and Maintenance Standards v1.19
Old standards brought up to date and out of draft by NM TDA [replaces old Chapter 5].
-
Supported Software on Standard www.bbc.co.uk Infrastructure v1.31
Old standards brought up to date and out of draft by NM TDA [replaces old Chapter 3].
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Third Party Hosting Requirements v1.14
Old standards brought up to date and out of draft by Info Security, NM TDA, and Head of Tech iF&L [replaces old Appendix D].
Legal & Business Considerations v1.22
Old standards brought up to date and out of draft by NM Business Affairs [replaces old Chapter 1].
Information Security & Privacy v1.22
Old standards brought up to date and out of draft by Info Security [replaces old Chapter 2].
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Communities v1.2
Summary of issues related to proposals for creating online communities on bbc.co.uk [replaces old Chapter 6].
Jan-05 release (v0.16)
New standards & guidelines:
Use of Colour, Colour Contrast Standards v1.00
Standards for the use of colour on bbc.co.uk, with specific regard to choosing colours which are suitable for those with low-vision (colour-contrast) and those with some form of colour-blindness.
Updated standards & guidelines:
AV Streaming Standards v1.47
Now with info on new formats (Real v9 and Windows Media v9), Media Selector
Multimedia Plug-Ins Standards v1.03
Now allows Flash v9 content
Browser Support Standards v2.11
Now requires Firefox to be supported
HTML Integrity Standards v1.04
Minor updates for accessibility
Accessibility Checklist v0.19
Now links to Use of Colour, Colour Contrast standard
Jul-04 release (v0.15)
New standards & guidelines:
HTML Integrity Standards v1.00
Summary of standards for HTML pages on bbc.co.uk, including: doctypes; validation; HTML code style; separation of semantics from presentation (accessibility); use of fonts, images, image-maps, tables, forms, page colours, frames, pop-ups, JavaScript, and file/directory names.
Updated standards & guidelines:
Accessibility Checklist v0.19
Now links to accessibility sections in HTML Integrity Standards.
Chapter 4 - Designing & Coding bbc.co.uk sites v1.36
Now links to HTML Integrity Standards for more information.
Apr-04 release (v0.14)
New standards & guidelines:
Multimedia Plug-In Content (Flash) Standards v1.00
Standards for the use of multimedia plug-in content on bbc.co.uk, including: approved formats; advice on the choice of Flash version; requirements on the provision of alternatives to plug-in content; how to optimise, test, deliver and embed plug-in content.
Textual Equivalents Standards v1.00
Accessibility standards for the creation of textual equivalents (alt-text) for all non-text objects on bbc.co.uk.
Flicker Guidelines v1.00
Accessibility guidelines aiming to ensure that animated content on bbc.co.uk does not flicker in the ranges which would adversely affect users with photo-sensitive epilepsy.
XML Standards v1.00
Initial standards for the use of XML on bbc.co.uk - includes: XML vocabularies, use of Schema languages, and creation and use of XML Namespaces.
Updated standards & guidelines:
File Extensions Standards v1.02
Updated to add support for .vbs, .jad; and made .wml a server-parsed type
Oct-03 release (v0.13)
New standards & guidelines:
Download Standards v1.00
Standards for designing and developing live database (backed) applications for bbc.co.uk.
Accessibility Checklist v0.15
Summary of existing and forthcoming accessibility standards & guidelines for bbc.co.uk.
File Extensions Standards v1.00
Standards specifying valid file extensions served from www.bbc.co.uk and news.bbc.co.uk.
Updated standards & guidelines:
Browser Support Standards v2.07
Minor revisions
May-03 release (v0.12)
New standards & guidelines:
Target Delivery Platform v0.1
Summary of the Target Delivery Platform that services and/or products delivered to the BBC for inclusion on bbc.co.uk must be compatible with.
Accessibility Checklist v0.15
Summary of existing and forthcoming accessibility standards & guidelines for bbc.co.uk.
File Extensions Standards v1.00
Standards specifying valid file extensions served from www.bbc.co.uk and news.bbc.co.uk.
Aug-02 release (v0.1)
Original draft release of Wed Development Guidelines (forerunner to this site), including:
Chapter 1 - Legal & Business Considerations v1.13
Summary of BBC-specific contract requirements and issues related to DPA and IPR.
Chapter 2 - Security & Privacy v1.14
Summary of Information Security issues that are relevent to bbc.co.uk projects (including detail on DPA obligations).
Chapter 3 - Supported Software on Standard www.bbc.co.uk Infrastructure v1.22
Summary of current supported software that is available for system developers for www.bbc.co.uk.
Chapter 4 - Designing & Coding bbc.co.uk Sites v1.26
Standards for designing websites and multimedia content, and for coding pages and scripts on bbc.co.uk.
Chapter 5 - Development, Testing, Installation and Maintenance Standards v1.12
Summary of www.bbc.co.uk development environments; processes for acceptance testing, installation of content and applications; and support and maintenance considerations.
Chapter 6- Communities v1.06
Summary of issues related to proposals for creating online communities on bbc.co.uk.
Appendix A - Perl Coding Standards v1.06
PPerl coding standards for bbc.co.uk projects.
Appendix B - C++ Coding Standards v1.05
C++ coding standards for bbc.co.uk projects.
Appendix C - Link Standards v1.05
Standards for graphically identifying text links on bbc.co.uk.
Appendix D - Third Party Hosting Requirements v1.05
An overview of security issues relevant for third party hosts, including the level of service required.
© MMIX