So true. I was learning html a few weeks ago, and was struck that I spent most of my time learning about conventions rather than actually designing stuff.
I know this guy that says "Why do you bother with Firefox? IE still dominates..."
I respond with "It's about the standards. I want to know, if it's only for myself, that I write valid code."
When I go to a website and see the little html validation icon turn green I smile with respect to the develop/designer. It truly is a task to have a large site be 100% valid.
