RE: text as images...

So here we have a dilemma. There is a loss of presentation quality if text
is rendered as images. There is a loss of presentation quality if people use
Netscape, and the author "correctly" uses CSS to style the text.

Do we have a mechanism for working out whether one of these is a bigger
problem in terms of accessibility?

chaals

On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 gian@stanleymilford.com.au wrote:

  I would argue that due to Netscape and its ability (or inability) to
  display CSS as required, using text in an image would not violate
  When an appropriate markup language exists and is supported, use markup
  rather than raster-based images to convey information.
  simply because it is "not supported".

  Gian

  -----Original Message-----
  From: wendy [mailto:wendy@w3.org]
  Sent: Friday, 25 January 2002 7:43 AM
  To: charles; Gian Sampson-Wild
  Cc: w3c-wai-gl
  Subject: Re: text as images...


  Please note that the following appears in the errata for WCAG 1.0:
  http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WAI-WEBCONTENT-ERRATA

  <quote>
  8. Text in images - clarification of checkpoint 3.1.
  Added: 3 January 2001
  Type: Clarification
  Refers to: Checkpoint 3.1 in 5 May 1999 version.
  Description (and correction). Checkpoint 3.1 should be reworded to read,
  "When an appropriate markup language exists and is supported, use markup
  rather than raster-based images to convey information. [Priority 2]
  For example, when supported, use SVG to create graphics, MathML to mark
  up mathematical equations, and CSS for text-oriented special effects.
  Avoid where possible using raster-based images to represent text -- use
  text and style sheets. Raster-based formats such as .gif and .jpeg paint
  the text as a series of pixels. When magnified the text becomes
  distorted. The ability to magnify text is critical for user with low
  vision.
  You may use text in images when:
  the text does not convey its literal meaning but has a more graphical
  function, such as a logo and
  the effect can not be achieved with CSS and
  you have provided a text equivalent for the image.
  Refer also to Guideline 1, Guideline 6 and Guideline 11.
  </quote>

  Does this help any?

  --wendy

Received on Friday, 1 February 2002 13:16:29 UTC