Re: FAQ - where are the FAQs for this list?

Here is my suggestion:

Q: What is an "alt tag"?

A: "Alt tag" is a commonly used slang term for the alt attribute. 
Technically, tags are things like <p> or </p> that you use to mark up 
your page and the alt attribute sits inside a tag, like this: <img 
alt="">, but you'll often hear people refer to this attribute as the 
"alt tag" and its contents as "alt text," so it's good to know this 
terminology. For more information, see "How do I use the ALT attribute?"

Q: How do I use the ALT attribute?

...

Or something like that?

Charles F. Munat
Seattle, Washington

Denise Wood wrote:
> Ineke, Bob, Steve, Al, Phill, Petri, Jukka, Seth, Jon, Simon (have I left any 
> one off the list of participants in this specific discussion????)
> 
> Thanks all for your contributions to discussions realting to the draft FAQs 
> that Chas posted to the IG for critique.
> 
> I cannot speak for the other "authors" of the draft FAQs but I do agree with 
> the points raised so far and am impressed by the amount of discussion this one 
> issue has generated. I believe the use of "alt tag" may have well been to 
> capture those in the community who have heard reference to this incorrect 
> terminology (it is unfortunately common usage in many non-Web designer circles 
> and why don't you all try doing a google search on "alt tag"). I wonder also 
> if the use of the term alt tag has arisen because the boxed text that appears 
> over the image in the browser looks like a tag (using Bob's definition of the 
> word "tag" not the Web definition). For example, if you read this definition 
> of "alt-tag" that I found on the BBC site after doing the fore mentioned 
> search to find out how frequnetly the term is mis-used, it almost sounds like 
> the definition is talking about the visible "tag" on the screen not the coding 
> that sits behind it http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/glossary/a.shtml?file=alttag
> Of course this definition is even more confusing and problematic because it 
> focuses on the visible "tag" which is not visible for at least one group of 
> people who benefit from the use of the alt attribute! BTW Steve I also tend to 
> use the tem alternative text to avoid confusing people who have no interest in 
> Web design but want to understand the issues confronting people accessing the 
> Web.
> 
> However I do agree using the term is confusing and needs 
> clarification/definition. Would an acceptable approach be to add another FAQ 
> such as "What is the difference between tags, attributes and elements?" and 
> then provide a clear definition with examples? If we did this prior to 
> presenting the question relating to the use of alternative text for images 
> then it should not be problematic for even novices to read an FAQ that refers 
> to the alt attribute rather than the incorrect term "alt tag". Of course each 
> FAQ needs to also stand alone as people may only look for the FAQ that is of 
> interest to them. Perhaps we could put hyperlinks then to the preceeding FAQ 
> which defines the term. Would that be a viable solution? If so, any volunteers 
> to have a go at writing the answer to the suggested additional FAQ?
> 
> Thanks all - I have enjoyed reading the trail of communication :-)
> 
> -------------------------------------------
> Denise
> 
> Dr Denise L Wood
> Lecturer: Professional Development (online teaching and learning)
> University of South Australia
> CE Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
> Ph:    (61 8) 8302 2172 / (61 8) 8302 4472 (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
> Fax:  (61 8) 8302 2363 / (61 8) 8302 4390
> Mob: (0413 648 260)
> 
> Email:	Denise.Wood@unisa.edu.au
> WWW:	http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/staff/homepage.asp?Name=Denise.Wood
> 
> 
> 
>

Received on Saturday, 23 February 2002 00:56:03 UTC