Fwd: WG Decision on referencing the Image Description (longdesc) extension

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Adrian Bateman <adrianba@microsoft.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 17, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Subject: WG Decision on referencing the Image Description (longdesc)
extension
To: "tink@tink.uk" <tink@tink.uk>, public-webapps WG <public-webapps@w3.org>,
"public-html@w3.org" <public-html@w3.org>


The chairs have published details of the Working Group decision
on referencing the Image Description (longdesc) extension in HTML.
In short, most of the CfC carried without objection but there were
some objections related to the longdesc examples.

For convenience, the decision text is pasted below but the full text
including links is posted at [1].

Thanks to everyone who participated in the CfC discussion.

Adrian, on behalf of the WPWG chairs.

[1] https://github.com/w3c/WebPlatformWG/blob/gh-pages/
decisions/imagedesc-08-2016.md


Working Group Decision on referencing the Image Description (longdesc)
extension in HTML

Question before the working group

The HTML 5.1 draft added normative references to the Image Description
(longdesc) Recommendation including IDL definitions. The CfC issued on 5
August 2016 proposed:

1. Remove the longdesc attribute from the table of attributes in HTML core.
2. Remove the IDL information for the longdesc attribute from HTML core.
3. Keep the longdesc examples in HTML core.
4. Create a WG Note listing known extension specifications.
5. Include a link to the HTML Extension Specifications Note from HTML core
(probably in the index).

Consensus

There were expressions of support and no objections for #1, #2, #4, and #5.
These steps reflect the consensus of the group.

Objections

There was disagreement on #3 namely whether to keep non-normative examples
for longdesc in the specification. In summary, the concerns raised here are:

* Some people indicated that the HTML 5.1 spec should not include examples
for technology that is not normatively defined in the spec itself.

* Some people indicated that non-normative examples necessarily rely on
technology that is not defined in the spec, though no examples were cited.

* Some people indicated that editors should have editorial freedom over
non-normative text including examples.

Separately, a concern was raised that whatever decision was taken for
longdesc should also apply to other features such as RDFa and the rev
attribute.

Decision of the Working Group

Principles

The Working Group has not yet chosen an approach for how to modularise the
HTML specification. This topic will be discussed at TPAC 2016. Until this
is decided, the chairs intend to implement the following principles:

* The Working Group SHOULD NOT incorporate features from HTML Extension
Specifications that have independently reached Recommendation status into
the main HTML Specification.

* The Working Group SHOULD maintain a list of applicable HTML Extension
specifications as a Working Group Note.

In addition:

* The Working Group provides editors the freedom to enhance specifications
with non-normative text that improves readability and makes documents
easier to understand without seeking approval from the working group.
However, members of the Working Group MAY express an opinion on this text
and seek consensus to change it.

Summary of Arguments

In the judgement of the chairs, the strongest argument for not
incorporating longdesc in informative examples is that the feature does not
exist in the HTML 5.1 specification and isn't necessary for the rest of the
example to be valid. It may be true that some examples rely on technology
not defined in HTML 5.1 but in general this should only be done when it is
necessary for the example to be easily comprehended.

In this case, the weakest argument for leaving the informative examples
intact was that this is a decision left to the editorial team. While we
don't intend to micro-manage the great editorial work contributed by the
editors, in this instance the argument to avoid technology defined
elsewhere if feasible is more persuasive.

By applying the principles above, we must consider whether other parts of
the HTML 5.1 draft also incorporate features from other W3C
Recommendations. The chairs agree that the RDFa examples are part of a
Recommendation and must also be removed.

The rev attribute was previously described in HTML 5.0 and the HTML 5.1
draft defines this content attribute in a more formal way. The rev
attribute does not need to be removed.

Decision

The Web Platform Working Group adopts parts #1, #2, #4, and #5 of the CfC
proposal. Further, the Web Platform Working Group rejects #3 and adopts the
decision to remove longdesc from the examples in HTML 5.1. This reverts the
document to the same state as HTML 5.0 for this issue.

The Web Platform Working Group will also apply this decision to RDFa and
will remove the RDFa examples.

Next steps

The chairs will ask the editors to remove the longdesc content that was
added through PR #441 and PR #449 and the similar RDFa content.

The chairs and Team will work with the editors will to create a Working
Group Note listing the applicable HTML extension specifications.

Appealing this Decision

If anyone feels they have not received due process, or that their concerns
have not being duly considered in the course of reaching this decision,
they may make their concerns known to the Team Contact (Philippe Le
Hegaret) who will notify the Director.

If anyone strongly disagrees with the content of the decision and would
like to raise a Formal Objection, they may do so at this time. Formal
Objections are reviewed by the Director in consultation with the Team.
Formal Objections are normally reviewed as part of a transition request.

> On Fri, Aug 05, 2016 at 10:17:17, Léonie Watson wrote:
>
> Hello WP,
>
> This is a Call For Consensus (CFC) on the following proposal for
> referencing the Image Description (longdesc) extension specification
> [1]. The CFC is posted to public-webapps@w3.org because this is the
> official WP email list, and copied to public-html@w3.org.
>
> The proposal:
>
> 1. Remove the longdesc attribute from the table of attributes in HTML
core.
> 2. Remove the IDL information for the longdesc attribute from HTML core.
> 3. Keep the longdesc examples in HTML core **.
> 4. Create a WG Note listing known extension specifications ***.
> 5. Include a link to the HTML Extension Specifications Note from HTML
> core (probably in the index).
>
> ** Examples throughout the HTML specification are informative, and we
> include informative examples and information for other specifications
> and extensions
> elsewhere in HTML core.
>
> *** We anticipate that the Note will be updated as we identify new/other
> extension specifications.
>
> We are still exploring different ways of responding to a CFC. Please
> choose one of the following methods:
>
> 1. Reply by email to this thread.
> 2. Reply or +1 to the original proposal comment on Github [2].
>
> There is no need to use more than one method. The WP chairs will collate
> the results across all channels.
>
> Please respond by end of day on Friday 12th August. Positive responses
> are encouraged, but silence will be taken as consent with the proposal.
>
> Thanks
> Léonie on behalf of the WP chairs and team
> [1]  https://www.w3.org/TR/html-longdesc/
> [2] https://github.com/w3c/html/issues/507#issuecomment-237068400
> --
> @LeonieWatson tink.uk Carpe diem





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Principal Accessibility Strategist
Deque Systems Inc.
john.foliot@deque.com

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