[whatwg] Thoughts on HTML 5 - dialog

Zachary Carter wrote:
> FWIW, in my first encounter with HTML5 <dialog> I assumed it meant a
> dialog box.

Yes, I assumed the same thing. I think it would be better to not use 
such an overloaded term for the stated purpose.

The spec itself uses "dialog" in both meanings:
  3.4.6 ... tabbed dialogs ... (= dialog box)
  3.9.5 dialog element (= conversations)
  4.2   ... showModalDialog (= dialog box)
  4.5.1 Simple dialogs (= dialog boxes)

I think it would be better to choose any other word from the
suggested ones, as I think most of them do not already have
another meaning within the HTML5 spec.
The first paragraph of 3.9.5 gives a hint:
  "The dialog element represents a conversation."
so my first recommendation would be to go for <conversation> and
live with its length.

Many other element names are abbreviated so could also opt for
that:
  <convers>
  <spkdlg> ("spoken dialog")
etc etc.

Ian Hickson wrote:
> I agree that the initial name, if that's all you see, has the 
> opportunity 
> to confuse, but once you read what the element was really 
> for, did the 
> confusion continue to be a problem?

Personally, I guess I can learn the intended meaning of the 
element. But, each time I see the element there is a feeling that 
this is wrong and I have to focus to remember the element's real 
purpose.
I guess this is what more people are feeling and that this is
why you are getting so much feedback on this fairly simple issue.

Best regards
Mike Wilson

Received on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 23:51:42 UTC