- From: david poehlman <david.poehlman@handsontechnologeyes.com>
- Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 11:00:28 -0500
- To: "Katie Smith" <ksmith@no10.x.gsi.gov.uk>, <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
This is wonderfull information but all that imagery goes away when there are no images. Johnnie Apple Seed ----- Original Message ----- From: "Katie Smith" <ksmith@no10.x.gsi.gov.uk> To: <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 10:07 AM Subject: RE: Alt is not a description (was Re: when to use longdesc for im ages) Speaking as a marketing person I'm not entirely sure I agree there is a difference between "eye candy" and "mood setting" imagery. Making something visually appealing is, in itself, a mood setting action. I would use image and colour to: - Illustrate a story (therefore it should be relevant to the story) - To display data in a more instant (tho not accessible) format (ie graphs) - To convey the values (brand) of the organisation the website represents (ie, set the mood) Presumably, for a visually impaired user, an organisation's values and brand are just as important in making a decision about whether to purchase, for example? Katie Smith -----Original Message----- From: Andy J. W. Affleck [mailto:aaffleck@gmail.com] Sent: 21 December 2004 14:48 To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Subject: Re: Alt is not a description (was Re: when to use longdesc for images) I've always taken the approach that there are three levels of non-text content on a site: Eye-candy: things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there may be value to a sighted user in that some of the eye candy can be used to help denote the navigation system in a way that makes the site easier to use -- but I do not mean the actual navigation, that is not included in this grouping). Mood-Setting: This is the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are important in that they help frame what is going on. Content. This includes the actual navigation as well as actual content. Given those three, I never alt-ify the first group unless there is something there which will enhance the usability of the site for someone using a non-visual user agent. I alt-ify the second group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be time when doing so may be annoying or detrimental to other users and I'll avoid it. But usually, it's important to get this content in there for all users. And, obviously, content should always be fully available. -A
Received on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 16:01:01 UTC