Propose closing Issues 734 and 739

I would like to propose closing Bugzilla issues #734[1] and #739[2] 
relating to the CSS technique concerning color.  The original technique 
recommended using numeric color values rather than color names when 
specifying colors. There has been a significant amount of discussion about 
whether or not this is an accessibility issue or not do to varying support 
for color names in browsers.   I did some investigating of color name 
support in some screen readers and browsers and found that most support 
the full 140 color names specified in CSS 3[3] as well as numeric color 
values.   CSS technique 7.1[4] has been updated to state: 

Use CSS color keywords or a numerical hex value to specify colors. 

And now includes User Agent specific information about support of colors 
by JAWS and WindowEyes.   While the technique is somewhat ambiguous - you 
need to use color names or numeric values (although the technique favors 
numerical hex values over decimal rgb values)- I think it is worth keeping 
since the additional User Agent information is helpful. 

I propose adding additional, general browser information to the User Agent 
section of this technique and closing issues #734 and #739:
<proposal>
When using color names, use only those from the x11 color names list in 
the CSS3 Color Module spec[3]  or the basic 16 HTML 4 [5] color values. 
Using numeric color values generally provides the best support across user 
agents. 
</proposal>


The alternate option is to close the issues AND remove the CSS technique 
since it is more informational than a specific requirement. 

Are there objections to closing the issues and keeping the technique?
-becky

[1]http://trace.wisc.edu/bugzilla_wcag/show_bug.cgi?id=734
[2]http://trace.wisc.edu/bugzilla_wcag/show_bug.cgi?id=739
[3]http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-css3-color-20010305#x11-color
[4]http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-CSS-TECHS/#number-not-name
[5]http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/types.html#h-6.5

Becky Gibson
Web Accessibility Architect
                                                       
IBM Emerging Internet Technologies
5 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA 01886
Voice: 978 399-6101; t/l 333-6101
Email: gibsonb@us.ibm.com