- From: Matthew Raymond <mattraymond@earthlink.net>
- Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:56:49 -0400
Jim Ley wrote: >>> I'm pretty sure the HTML 4.01 specification suggests a visual >>>indicator for access keys, like underlining the character in the label. >>>I think this is more a failure on the part of UA vendors to implement it. >> >>It does[1]. It is not required however, but highly recommended. Maybe >>HTML 5.0 should make this a MUST rather than a SHOULD? > > No, HTML should not contain _any_ MUST on how something is rendered, > it has no rendering semantics, that's the point. Quite right, but I don't think it's unfair to say that the user agent MUST render or otherwise immediately indicate to the user what the access key is. Here's the HTML 4.01 text regarding this: http://www.w3.org/TR/html401/interact/forms.html#h-17.11.2 "The rendering of access keys depends on the user agent. We recommend that authors include the access key in label text or wherever the access key is to apply. User agents should render the value of an access key in such a way as to emphasize its role and to distinguish it from other characters (e.g., by underlining it)." I propose the following change to the last sentence: "User agents must render the value of an access key. Access keys should be rendered in such a way as to emphasize its role and to distinguish it from other characters (e.g., by underlining it)." The change is subtle, and doesn't by any means require underlining, but it does require the UA vendor to ensure that the access key is rendered in some fashion, which would most likely be accomplished by underlining. Oh! I just had an interesting thought: <label>Furry <accesskey>K</accesskey>ittens: <input type="text"></label> This takes a little bit of the flexibility with regards to the presentation away from the vendor, though...
Received on Friday, 20 August 2004 13:56:49 UTC