XHTML Basic 1.1 and the "target" attribute

Dear members of the Mobile Web Device Description Working Group,
As you may know, XHTML Basic 1.1 is about to be released.

Since XHTML Basic is very oriented to mobile devices, I think it would be nice to hear your opinion about the introduction of
the "target" attribute in XHTML Basic 1.1
[http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/WD-xhtml-basic-20060705/#abstract].

I have to say that I am surprised, since the "target" attribute has never been strictly allowed (not in XHTML 1.1, XHTML 1.0
Strict, HTML 4 Strict, HTML 3.2, HTML 2.0). It was only in the transitional version of HTML 4 and XHTML 1.0, which were not
recommended.

The "target" attribute is known to be problematic for accessibility and for small devices. In particular, the target="_blank"
has a dedicated section in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
[http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-HTML-TECHS/#no-new-windows].


See also:
[http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/2004/xhtml-faq#target]
[http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/CR-mobile-bp-20060627/#iddiv351037376]

It is true that "target" can be used with e.g. <object> and not only frames, but the specification currently does not provide
any example or usage recommendation.

So, what do people from the Mobile Web Device Description Working Group think about the "target" attribute in the XHTML Basic
1.1 proposed recommendation?

Cordially,
Alexandre
http://alexandre.alapetite.net

Received on Friday, 28 July 2006 12:27:43 UTC