ATAG 2.0 Definition ideas

Hi,

I know that Karen and maybe others are working on definitions, but I 
thought I'd throw out some ideas for terms that were flagged as needing 
work.

---

Alert
[Recommend replacing use of term with "Inform"]

Configurable
A configurable authoring tool is one that provides the authors with 
sufficient preferences settings to accommodate a variety of authoring 
_workflows_.

Display
To display information is to make that information available via one or 
more output devices (e.g. screen, speakers, Braille devices). Accessible 
information can be displayed effectively on all output devices.

Element
(1) An "element" is an instance within _Web content_ of an "element 
type", a syntactic construct of a document type definition (DTD).
(2) More generally, an "element" is a type of content (such as video or 
sound) or a logical construct (such as a header, list, or table cell).
[adapted from UAAG]

Inform
To inform is to communicate a message to the author. The message may be 
implemented in a way that is either intrusive (i.e. author is required 
to immediately acknowledge the message) or non-intrusive (i.e. the 
author is not required to acknowledge the message). Non-intrusive 
implementations are recommended.
[Pairs with "prompt"]

Markup
Markup is a set of tags from a markup language that specify the 
characteristics of a document. Markup can be presentational (e.g. markup 
for colors, sizes, transparency), structural (e.g. markup for headings, 
list items) or semantic (i.e. markup for meaning).

Object
[Recommend replacing use of term with "Element"]

Prompt
To prompt is to elicit a response from the author (e.g. answer a yes-no 
question, provide a description, etc.). The eliciting may be implemented 
in a way that is either intrusive (i.e. author is required to provide 
the response immediately) or non-intrusive (i.e. the author is not 
required to immediately provide the response).Non-intrusive 
implementations are recommended in order to urge, suggest, and 
encourage, but not to force.
[Pairs with "inform"]

Property
A property is a characteristic of an element, for example structural 
information (e.g., first class heading, list item) or presentation 
information (e.g., bold font, 14pt font).

WCAG Techniques Documents
A WCAG techniques document is a document that identifies how each _WCAG_ 
checkpoint requirement can be satisfied by Web content in a particular 
_format_.

Web content
Web content (or just "content") is a term that covers any full or 
partial document or interface that is (or may be made) available on-line 
and is rendered via a user agent.
[WCAG doers not have a def'n yet :)]

---

Cheers,
Jan

-- 
Jan Richards, M.Sc.
User Interface Design Specialist
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC), University of Toronto

   Email: jan.richards@utoronto.ca
   Web:   http://jan.atrc.utoronto.ca
   Phone: 416-946-7060
   Fax:   416-971-2896

Received on Wednesday, 10 November 2004 22:31:10 UTC