I use the NoScript extension in Firefox for three main reasons. Firstly it adds another layer of security, allowing me to decide who can and can’t serve me Javascript. For this reason alone I would recommend it to anyone.

Secondly it works as a partial ad-blocker. I don’t mind adverts - websites cost money to run and money typically comes from adverts, however I object to my computer being filled with junk because of it.

The third and final reason I use it is so that I can see how my Javascript based sites function when Javascript is turned off. However this has led me to seeing how other sites function with it turned off and I must say that I am appalled at the number that fail to take the unavailability of Javascript into consideration.

I have spent today signing-up to pay-per-post blog services so I can hopefully make a little money from this blog. Out of about 10 sites, probably only 2 safely degraded so the site remained useful without script turned on. While I know it isn’t limited to these sites, it is a widespread problem with sites today.

For an example of proper degradation, have a look at Xpertwebsite.com. It is heavily dependant on Javascript as you can see. However if you turn Javascript off (manually or via NoScript), everything is still usable and accessible. Probably an extra hour of coding to make it that little bit more accessible.

Now look at the ReviewMe FAQ. All the Javascript is doing is showing/hiding the answers. Turn it off and you just get broken links that do nothing. Why? It isn’t hard to only hide the answers if Javascript is enabled. This is actually how the first version of Xpertwebsite.com worked (it was Javascript on a single HTML document, rather than AJAX). Adding a working link would be easier but just as good.

I know the majority of people have Javascript turned on, but it isn’t right to assume everyone does. Unless a site actually needs Javascript (which is rare) then it should degrade to a usable state. At the very least, a noscript tag should be utilised to inform the user that the site works best with Javascript enabled, yet most sites which use Javascript don’t even have that which is plain ridiculous! Even the newest of HTML coders could do it, yet these “big boys” can’t be bothered!

Rant over.