Re: [csswg-drafts] [css-ui-4] Change the pointer cursor to indicate any interactive element.

Ok, I'll quote from the description of this issue:

> this value is used by designers and developers not only for the “links” but for any other interactive element **that did not have any other cursor defined for them**, for example, for buttons.

I've highlighted there “that did not have any other cursor defined for them”. Text inputs, for example, already have a cursor: caret-like `text` one (there is ambiguity where both the non-interactive text can have a `text` cursor and textual inputs, but that's a separate issue altogether).

So, what I mean by “interactive elements” that should have pointer cursor (or, essentially, a cursor that is different from the default one) — any element clicking on which once with the primary click would result in an action. If clicking on it won't result in an action, then it shouldn't have a pointer cursor. If there is a more common or encouraged action that could happen when you interact with an element (like dragging for elements that also can be clicked), then, of course, the more fitting cursor should be applied.

And, yes, any button-y things like inputs with types `button` or `submit` or `image`, if clicking on them is actually doing something, then yes, they should have a pointer cursor. As well as labels for checkboxes and radio buttons (for those which would change the state, so the label for selected radio button shouldn't have a pointer cursor etc.)

Static text, whitespaces (uh), images — unless they're _interactive_, should have the default cursor (or more appropriate like the text one for text).

Labels for text elements or for other inputs that could get focus… I'd say pointer would be ok as well, but only if there'd be also a visual highlighting of the element which would become focused on hover.

And I think that cursor over labels is really important, as it would mean people would know that they could actually click on those labels to interact with the associated inputs. Otherwise, people who have used to badly designed forms that don't have interactive labels wouldn't dare to click on the labels and would spend more time struggling to hit the smaller radios or checkboxes.

Nobody is arguing that each HTML element should be used properly. That they should have all the available states designed nicely and distinctively. But the cursor should be one of those tools that developers and designers should be able to point to the interactive elements (sorry for the pun). Yes, this cursor won't help for those who're using alternative input methods. But if we can help those who're using mouses and trackpads — why not? And if we would have ways to find how to help in those alternative cases only — why wouldn't we use them? We should strive to make things better wherever we can, not discard those partial solutions that are obviously won't work in the conditions they were not supposed to.

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Received on Sunday, 5 November 2017 12:33:36 UTC