Different entry methods Re: [w3c-wai-gl] <none>

What is important is to support different entry techniques - including users
who know what option  is available and can enter free text, users who need to
select from a simple list or sequence, and users who are searfching for
something but need spelling suppor.

An example of the first is looking for a category in a directory of
businesses sorted by business type - I know that what I want is "plant hire"
while another person might want to enter "machines" becaseu they aren't
familiar with that part of the directory. Another person might enter
"mashine", and need a spellchecker. (Google has some spellchecking
suggestions, and lots of systems provide for free text entry and selection
from a list).

Anopther example area to look at is VOiceXML, which caters very well for
different styles of input. For people who are used to interacting with
systems on the telephone, think of systems where it is possible to skip
through quickly, or to get information on available options (although all the
systems I have heard in the US claim that the system changed againrecently so
it is important to listne carefully).

Cheers

Charles McCN

On Thu, 3 Jan 2002, Gregg Vanderheiden wrote:

  Here is a summary of the results of the telecon meeting today

  RE:  CHECKPOINT 2.7
  1- Success criteria do not deal with any errors but spelling
  2- it should should NOT require that a lit be used "INSTEAD of" text
  entry but rather "as well as". (User should have choice).
  3- Should not have a checkpoint that says "handle input errors".  Too
  open.  Too many types of errors and they are not even listed.  Also it
  is not possible to recover from or correct many types. (most errors?).
  What does "Handle" mean?

  CONCLUSION
  A - current guideline is unworkable as worded.
  B - good advice but not a checkpoint.
  C- not worded right even for advice right now.

  RECOMMENDATION:
  1- It be changed to advice
  2 - Reword as three pieces of advice as follows:
  "Where possible Provide suggestions when input is invalid due to
  spelling or other causes "
  "Where possible allow user to chose between selecting from a list and
  providing direct input"
  "Where possible User errors should be reversable or the user should be
  given a warning."

Received on Friday, 4 January 2002 04:26:37 UTC