- From: Al Gilman <asgilman@access.digex.net>
- Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 13:32:47 -0400 (EDT)
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
REF Associating HTML contents with external documents (and similar LINK and META extensions) BACKGROUND: This is a utility area. It is not associated with one particular user problem but provides capabilities that are used in solving various other problems. The H in HTML is for Hypertext, text with embedded references to other places in the hypertext that the user can select to go to. Hypertext is full of references to other resources: inline images and navigable links to other Web pages. In addition there are also needs for background links, informing the browser of resources that may or may not be used depending on the user interface media and preferences of the user. These include links to stylesheets which define tasteful presentation in one or more medium. They include links to acronym dictionaries which can be used to expand acronyms when speaking text in an audio browse mode. And they include links to data dictionaries to document the data usage within tables. Particularly in the case of data dictionaries that go with tables, one wants to be clear that the cited resource applies to part, not all, of the current document. In the "logical reading order" and TABLE problem areas, there are possible uses for markup that indicates a relationship from one element (tag or tagged portion) in an HTML document to another piece of the same document. PROPOSAL: To allow user-defined attributes and relationships to be annotated on pieces found in the HTML, extensions to the use and content of the LINK and META elements are suggested. This will allow external references and arbitrary metainformation to be associated with specific marked parts of HTML documents, and for arbitrary relationships between such parts to be documented. It is not entirely clear to the HC team how much of this capability will be provided, without the need for support in HTML, by services implementing the Resource Description Framework (RDF). A lightweight capability with the least waste motion and data is desirable. A balance of capabilities in and outside HTML should be sought in cooperation with the W3C Metadata Working Group developing RDF. QUESTIONS: There are various questions worth discussing in this area. For example: The META tag has been the door through which undesirable practices such as the REFRESH tag have been put into practice. Isn't this just a wide open invitation to abuse? How would you use this, anyway? The Web has had LINK statements and they haven't been used. Isn't this just beating a dead horse? Where will it get us? FOLLOW UP: Please discuss this issue by sending email to w3c-wai-ig@w3.org . Include the symbol REF&META in the subject heading of your message, to help other subscribers organize the volume of mail we hope this will generate.
Received on Thursday, 16 October 1997 13:33:08 UTC