Re: [CSS21] Features at risk: quote in CSS or Q in HTML

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005, Karl Dubost wrote:
> 
> Q is unlikely to be implemented in browsers.
>
> What the author can do?

I don't know. The XHTML2 WG decided to revamp <q> in XHTML2, changing its 
processing model substantially. (The WHATWG has yet to come up with a 
solution for how to handle <q> in HTML5, but it is a concern there too.)


>     1. Use <q>« something here »</q>
>         Pb: Browsers usually do "" for the element q so it will give something
>         -> "« something here »"
> 
>     2. Use CSS to control the rendering of q with quote
> 
> If 2. is not implemented, we are in the case that we have now. quote is 
> dropped from CSS 2.1. ok.

You don't need 'quotes' from CSS to do quotes on <q>, as has been pointed 
out. The 'quotes' feature in CSS2.1 is for much, much more complicated 
scenarios than <q> (e.g. getting multi-paragraphs quote typographically 
correct).


> I then propose to coordinate with the HTML WG to "fix" HTML 4.01 and ask 
> browser vendors to not implement anymore the "" for q and leave freedom 
> to the authors. It will be a kind of pragmatic solution.

Sadly, the HTML WG has, as far as I can tell, abandoned HTML. I suggest 
you raise your suggestion with the WHATWG, though (whatwg@whatwg.org).

As far as CSS is concerned, however, I don't understand how any of this is 
the CSSWG's concern. 'quotes' aren't required to style <q> in HTML, so 
removing it doesn't change much. And we don't want to remove it anyway, we 
would only do so if we were required to do so in order to exit CR.

I guess I don't understand why what happens with the <q> element is 
relevant to us.

-- 
Ian Hickson               U+1047E                )\._.,--....,'``.    fL
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