[thelist] Quoted attibute values

[L. Floyd]

My understanding is that proper HTML has quotes around tag attribute
values like:
<form method="post" action="snickersnick.pl">.  However, it seems like
most browsers don't seem to care about quotes unless the attribute value
has a space in it.  So, enlighten me.  When/why are the quotes needed? 
Is it just to uphold a standard?

Don't get me wrong.  I'm neither for or against them.

- larry