The "data" prefix is indeed for the sake of namespacing. This is actually quite useful since you can validate and e.g. find typos in ordinary attributes while s

The "data" prefix is indeed for the sake of namespacing. This is actually quite useful since you can validate and e.g. find typos in ordinary attributes while still having your custom data attributes. If you have some good ideas for HTML5, you just post a well-argued message on the open mailing list (http://www.whatwg.org/mailing-list http://www.whatwg.org/mailing-list), and it will be considered.