Re: Minutes from 19 May 1999 UA teleconference

At 01:51 PM 5/19/99 -0400, Ian Jacobs wrote:
>WAI User Agent Guidelines Teleconference
>19 May 1999
>
>JG: Three main conclusions:
>  a) Provide access to math document tree (preferably MathML).
>     Add this to current navigation techniques.
>  b) Recommend MathML if user agent/plug-in handles math.
>  c) Make math information available to assistive technologies
>     (e.g., XML tree).
>
>MR: The alternative to MathML is that authors create graphical
>    images of math, which is problematic. Can't we encourage
>    MathML more strongly? 
>
>IJ: Checkpoint that says "If you do math, use MathML" and motivate
>    this instead of requiring authors to use images.
>
>CW: What do we mean by "rendering" math?
>
>IJ: I think that we mean prefer MathML as a markup language.
>

I believe that in the discussion of the WCAG there was mention that LaTeX
has existing support (conversion to sound and Braille) that MathML lacks at
this time.
So an image with LaTeX in the markup is a better solution right now than
MathML.

Did Chris Weaver have anything to say about current LaTeX support and
transition strategies?

Al

>CW: What if a UA encounters a math document on the Web. Should
>    we recommend that UAs be able to read this, or is more
>    of the domain of plug-ins?
>
>JG: In Web Content, this was discussed and conclusion was that
>    math and science are part of a larger framework.
>
>IJ: The larger framework is "Use W3C Recommendations where available."
>    Maybe need a mirror checkpoint to "Implement applicable W3C
>    Recommendations". 
>
>JG: Say this in the Techniques document? 
>
>IJ: I think this can be said in guideline themselves.

>    E.g., may want to encourage support for deprecated features.
>
>
>PROPOSAL: Review WCAG checkpoints. See if this group covers all
>    of them or needs to mirror them. Checkpoint 11.1, if mirrored
>    by UAGL, would cover MathML (which could be listed as an
>    example).
>
>RESOLVED: Bring WCAG checkpoints from guideline 11 into
>    Guideline 7.1. In short, rework 7.1 based on that.
>    Ensure that Math is part of that as an example. SMIL
>    as well.
>
>CW: Is a similar concern being taken to the AU WG?
>
>JB: They will probably reference UAGL in this area.
>
>

Received on Wednesday, 19 May 1999 15:11:23 UTC