Re: Layout versus data tables proposal for null summary attribute

david poehlman wrote:
> If you decide that your
> image has no meaning, why put it up at all?  same for other nulls.  I know,
> the arguments against this proposal, but it makes perfect sense to me not to
> use something if there is no real cause to use it other than for passing
> some sort of test...

There are some valid uses for decorative images. They can be used to 
round off corners and other visual flourishes. CSS can be used for a lot 
of these, but occasionally you might find browser support tricky, so 
resort to a foreground image.

Giving them any real description would probably drive screen reader 
users up the wall, so applying a null alt text should save a few walls ;)

Whether null table summaries become standard may depend on how the user 
agents deal with them, including the accessibility checkers. If bobby is 
going to insist on you using a summary on every table to 'pass', people 
are going to add summaries. Rather than having "this is a layout table" 
read out 15 times per page, null would be better. Wouldn't it?

-Alastair

-- 

Alastair Campbell   |   Director of Technology

Please refer to the following disclaimer for this message:
http://www.nomensa.com/email/disclaimer.html

Received on Friday, 27 August 2004 16:15:59 UTC