Re: "TECHNOLOGY, Web Content" definition for ATAG2

I would recommend including the notion of encoded formats or content types 
that require a plug-in.  For example, many content types require a 
"plug-in" to render the content.  I suppose a plug-in is a user agent 
within a user agent that can't render the content type itself directly. 

I would separate your definition to distinguish or define interactive 
content types.  Such as forms and widgets that change the visual 
presentation, such as expanding or collapsing a tree view, something more 
than just "clicking on a link" to go to another content type page or view. 
 FLASH is an example of an interactive content type while an MP3 file is 
only "played" or rendered in audio by the player or plug-in.  You always 
interact with the user agent, but many content types include interaction 
inside the content rendered by the user agent.

I would strongly recommend NOT using the term "technology" to replace 
content type or format.  Technology, Information Technology, and 
Electronic & Information Technology (E&IT) are much higher level terms 
that often include the user agent, the operating system, and the hardware 
to render the information. 

I would NOT include the notion of "programming languages" in the 
definition of "content", but I agree it is part of the higher level term 
of "technology", because much of the "programming logic" can he hosted on 
the server or hidden on the client and is used to manipulate the content 
based on user interaction and outside inputs (i.e., RSS)
 
I copied Andi Snow-Weaver, a member of the WCAG 2.0 working group and 
co-chair of the 508 TEITAC Web & Software Subcommittee that is also 
dealing with definition.  The definition and terms need to harmonized 
across WCAG/ATAG as well as 508 and other standards.

Regards,
Phill Jenkins
IBM Research - Human Ability & Accessibility Center
http://www.ibm.com/able





Jan Richards <jan.richards@utoronto.ca> 
Sent by: w3c-wai-au-request@w3.org
07/25/2007 02:49 PM

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Subject
"TECHNOLOGY, Web Content" definition for ATAG2







Hi,

On Monday's call, the term "TECHNOLOGY, Web Content" was introduced as a 
potential replacement for "Content Type" in ATAG2 and "Technology" in 
WCAG (it came out of a meeting between Michael Cooper, Al Gilman and I):


TECHNOLOGY, Web Content

A mechanism for encoding instructions to be rendered or executed by user
agents. Technologies may include markup languages, data formats, or
programming languages that authors may use alone or in combination to
create end-user experiences that range from static Web pages to dynamic
Web applications. Some common examples of Web content technologies
include HTML, CSS, SVG, PNG, PDF, Flash, and JavaScript.


BTW: The issue of techniques for creating Web Applications using DOM 
manipulation is covered by this reading:
"programming languages" "executed by user agents" to create "dynamic Web 
applications".


Cheers,
Jan