Re: Informative (non-normative) explanation to accompany guidelines

I think that we need to try to meet this need with references to
the greatest extent possible.

Al

to follow up on what Jason White said:

> Earlier in the development of the guidelines, there was some discussion of
> including an informative explanation which would outline, in general
> terms, the different types of hardware and software that may be used in
> accessing the web, and their implications for the design of content.
> 
> Such an explanation might help to avoid some of the understandings which
> have been discussed on the list recently, with regard to the inherent
> universality of properly structured and marked up text, the need for
> device independence with respect to controls that require user input, the
> requirement that textual alternatives be provided as substitutes for
> controls that obtain user input, and the importance of presenting
> important information statically, through standard mechanisms, thereby
> avoiding the difficulties associated with client-side dynamism.
> 
> A brief explanation and rationale, in an informative appendix, would do
> much to clarify the guidelines for the benefit of the uninitiated.
> 
>