What's up, DOCTYPE?

Advocates of Web standards now warn that a heavily used technique for switching between standards-based browser rendering and, well, everything else -- called the DOCTYPE switch -- is broken.

OK, so that last sentence is meaningless to you if you don't work often in Web design or development. Even more meaningless would be any attempt I make to explain it for general audiences.

So, my advice:

If you're a Web developer, check out Aaron Gustafson's description of the problem, consequences and possible solutions at A List Apart. Then read Eric Meyer's take on it, with lots more background and debate over solutions.

If you're not, but know someone who is, refer that someone to the articles. This stuff will matter to him or her sooner or later. Then you can return to your regularly scheduled programming.