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Review: XHTML Challenge

By Aigars Silkalns 1 min read

XHTML Challenge is a freshly launched project by Valentin Agachi, which enables you to create challenges between two websites. The script will analyze the sites’ XHTML markups and return a report for the visitors to vote. The signup process and overall workflow is very simple. Within a minute, I created a challenge between Best Web Gallery and CSS Remix (see the challenge).

bwg vs cssremix

I asked Valenin: "why did you create XHTML Challenge"?

agachi

I started this project because I wanted to have a place to check up sites quickly markup-wise. There’s a lot of CSS galleries out there, but not many look under the hood at the code and check them out. I plan to add a few other facts regarding the code of the sites challenged.

The site is created using a homemade PHP framework. The facts about the sites challenged are analyzed in the background after submission, and periodically after that. The thumbnails of the sites are taken from a 3rd party provider.

Valentin Agachi, XHTML Challenge

My thoughts…

The concept is fun and creative, however, there are areas that I think it could improve:

  • The voting system could be enchanced by Ajax. It is very annoying because the page reload every time I make a vote.
  • The site is missing a commenting system. People like to comment, who doesn’t?
  • The vote count should be based on user’s login, not cookie (and IP address I believe). This will prevent the same user from voting on the same challenge under different network or when the cookie is expired.

Check out some of the interesting challenges:

Mac OS X Leopard vs Window Vista
challenge

Del.icio.us vs. Digg
challenge

Facebook vs. Hi5
challenge

Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton
challenge

Firefox vs. Windows IE
challenge

Freelance Switch vs. Freelance Folder
challenge

Performancing vs. Problogger
challenge

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55 comments from the archive

  1. The concept reminds me of a deeper analyzed version of Command Shift 3.. where as there is more to vote on than just design.

  3. Thanks for the long awaited update :) You have a spelling mistake, though.

    “why did you created XHTML Challenge”?

    Should be:

    “why did you create XHTML Challenge”?

    :)!

  5. I love it!

    “Under The Hood” is right, and let’s face it, we work really hard on our website so we know who our competitors are. Let’s see how they stack up.

    I see a lot of room for new features, more ajax, comments too. But so far, this is a really great site.

    Nice find!

  6. “The vote count should be based on user’s login, not cookie (and IP address I believe). This will prevent the same user from voting on the same challenge under different network or when the cookie is expired.”

    I do not really agree with you ! If you do this, it won’t prevent user from voting on the same challenge under different account. I believe it’s easier to create several account than voting from a different host. Actually the best solution is to combine both solutions, don’t you think ?

  8. Glad you all like the site!

    The site supports commenting now. Also a few ajax enhancements are in the works, and will go live within the next few days.

  9. Interesting!
    As far as i notice people out there (including me) vote for their general preference.
    So for instance when i saw the Firefox vs IE i immediately voted Firefox (lol) lot of other designers did the same…

  10. Its good to see people who code using standards etc can get some recognition now

  11. Interesting concept, i will try to submit some of my websites.

    It seems the comments are now available.

  12. Wicked idea Valentin, and good on you for giving it a go.

    I think Alvin’s comment that people would vote for their general preference is valid. – I know that even if the IE website blew Firefox out of the water in it’s development, as a user I am still prejudiced to vote for my “favorite” – and not based at all on the compliance of their code.

    In my opinion, it’s very hard to separate design and development for rating. Based on the idea that the design is what most people have in mind when they think of a site. In this case, especially when there is a thumbnail present!

    Thanks for bringing this to my attention though Nick, it’s very interesting and I can imagine it’s an idea which will spawn a lot of new thought. :)

  16. Don’t you think this could be a little biased to compare sites like IE v Firefox?

    Im guessing people who use Firefox will vote for the site because they use it, not because it is a lot better in site comparison…. although i do use FF myself ;o)

  17. All of your examples are sites that are almost encouraging biased opinions completely irrelevant of the actual code and more about the content. People will always be biased in this way and therefore this site is pretty useless for anything other than sites that people have never been to or heard of before. Small portfolio sites for example.

  18. I like the site ;), the design is great but the sidebar with archive/advertisements/etc. is too empty…

    Nice review nick!

  19. I think the idea is good , but still am not sure most users would need this kind of web app, for validation you have WW3 , and yes it is nice to compare two different sites based on a voting system but well there benefits for the user and site owner.

  20. Could you please send to me the contacts of developer of your site? It looks so damn good!

  21. Hi from New York And thanks for the web site. It was just the thing I had been looking for. It has helped me no end. Thanks again

  22. I like your idea to challenge website, respect ;)

    Do you go forward to this project or do you finished already?

    Ralph

  23. I do agree with Fubiz, Valenin, could approach venture capitalist that way. “Think of it as HOT or NOT for websites. Great article Nick.

  29. Great Idea, a unique thought behind every big concept… And thats you have my dear…:)
    Web Designer India

  32. COOL! fantastic idea…. i think all sites will have stimuli to make valid xhtml/css code ;)

    Firefox vs IE – good compare and results

  39. Great Idea, a unique thought behind every big concept… And thats you have my dear…:)

  40. I really like the way you compare all these websites :)

  42. The designs showed here show what simple and tasteful design is all about. Another one to consider

  47. As iphone 4 white 3GS has something of non-update to the iPhone range, but there are finally decent alternatives in the smartphone market, with the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S leading the Android fight right to Apple’s door.

  49. The designs showed here show what simple and tasteful design is all about. Another one to consider

  51. These are really stunning, there are even some sites that are new to me. All the colour schemes complex 41are definatly brave but I really think they work to make the sites eye catching and engaging.

  52. The designs showed here show what simple and tasteful design is all about. Another one to consider

  53. Has something of non-update to the iPhone range, but there are finally decent alternatives in the smartphone market, with the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S leading the Android fight right to Apple’s door.

  54. All the colour schemes complex 41are definatly brave but I really think they work to make the sites eye catching and engaging.

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