Re: Adding label to other list elements?

Ben Meadowcroft wrote:

> In a recent post entitled "XHTML 2.0 List Module negates the semantic
> usefulness of definition lists." I mentioned that the specification lacked a
> "more general/neutral list element
> that relates two items together (like a DT DD pair)". The motivation for
> this was to reduce the need for authors to "abuse" the definition list to
> model labelled dialogues for example.
> 
> Having thought about it I would like to propose that the label element
> introduced with navigation lists be introduced into ordered and unordered
> lists. The motivation for this is that these more content neutral elements
> will now be able to utilised instead of wresting the semantics of a
> definition list. We will now have a proper mechanism for associating labels
> with normal list items.
> 
> Use Case: modelling a dialogue.
> 
> <ol>
>  <label>Dave</label>
>  <li>Hi, how are you doing?</li>
>  <label>Kieran</label>
>  <li>Fine Thanks, and you?</li>
>  <label>Dave</label>
>  <li>Doing well, I got that job I applied for at CERN so I am really
> pleased.</li>
> </ol>
> 
> produces (with suitable css of course)
> 
> Dave
>   Hi, how are you doing?
> Kieran
>   Fine Thanks, and you?
> Dave
>   Doing well, I got that job I applied for at CERN so I am really pleased.
> 
> 
> So does this idea have legs then? Perhaps a different element name than
> label(although I think it's quite neat)?

Well first off, while I can see the desirability of having an element 
to indicate a semantically important marker that is associated with a 
list item, it shouldn't be placed outside of the list item or you are 
just getting a <dl> with different element names.

In fact since your example is not a list, using an <ol> is just as bad 
as using a <dl>.

Rather, I'd use:

<div class="dialogue">
 <div>
  <cite>Dave</cite>
  <blockquote>Hi, how are you doing?</blockquote>
 </div><div>
  <cite>Kieram</cite>
  <blockquote>
   Fine.
   Thanks.
   And you?
  </blockquote>
 </div><div>
  <cite>Dave</cite>
  <blockquote>
   Doing well.
   I got that job I applied for at CERN, so I am really pleased.
  </blockquote>
 </div>
</div>

Now if there were a Diologue Module with specific elements for this 
sort of thing, it would be even better, but do dialogues occur often 
enough to justify it?

Received on Saturday, 31 May 2003 12:02:29 UTC