Pick Display Modes for HTML and XML

Firefox has several display options for web content. Here’s how to pick between them.

This hack explains how to specify a display contract between a web page and Firefox. A display contract is an agreement between the content author and Firefox that guarantees that the content will be displayed as the author intended, right down to the tiniest detail. That means no more guesswork about browser behavior. This hack applies to all Mozilla-based browsers, including Compuserve Version 8 and later, Netscape Versions 6 and later, the Mozilla Application Suite Versions 1.x, Camino, and so on.

To make a display contract, put hints and standards references in or near the content. Provided the content author puts these in, Firefox will fall into line with absolute predictability. You’ll need to add several types of hints.