Validation result uri link encoding

[Sorry if this has been asked before, but the list search didn't show up a
similar enquiry.]

Three points of feedback:

1) I notice that the validator and the beta version v0.6.5 [Beta #1], in
the section:

"If you would like to create a link to this page (i.e., this validation
result)..."

an encoded version of the URL is given. e.g.

http://validator.w3.org:8001/check?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foobar.com%2Fpath

Is there any need for this? I.e. couldn't

http://validator.w3.org:8001/check?uri=http://www.foobar.com/path

be used instead? This would seem more intelligible and user-friendly.
Aren't / and : legal characters in <a href= > links?

2) There appears to be a space between check? and uri in the visible
(rather than underlying link) version of this text as it appears. This
makes cutting and pasting into HTML source potentially error-creating if
people don't realise. I don't see any reason for the existence of this
space.

3) The beta is a great improvement. My only comment would be to replace
the mailto: links on the right in fussy mode with a link to a feedback
form, which automatically carries the error number. Presumably you would
also get less spam that way, and not everyone has immediate access to a
MUA.

In doing this, you could also reduce this very verbose text and arguably
intrusive text box with a simple link saying e.g. "[Feedback - help
improve this error message]" and thereby remove the gray box by putting
this directly after the message itself in square brackets [].


Martin Lucas-Smith  ** www.lucas-smith.co.uk
Cambridge           **

Received on Sunday, 31 August 2003 08:10:33 UTC