RE: Discussion of DOM with Glen Gorden of Henter-Joyce

<<
Can you explain the value of such a feature? It seems to me that it is
only useful in understanding a particular visual layout (that of the
current display). 
>>

Sure, many screen reader provide a "review" system to allow the user to
freely move a cursor, sometimes the mouse pointer, over items that appear on
the screen.  The user can then request more information about the object.
The accessibility aid uses the "element from point" feature to get a
reference to the object at a particular location on the screen.

Screen magnifiers and alternative input devices also use this feature.
Mouse utilities also use this feature to "know" when to slow down over
certain objects.

<<
(By hit testing I am assuming you mean something like determining where a
mouse cursor was when it was clicked. I am not certain that this is what
you mean, which adds to my confusion.)
>>

That's a common use of hit testing, in addition to what I said above.

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles McCathieNevile [mailto:charles@w3.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 1999 1:17 PM
To: Charles Oppermann
Cc: WAI UA group
Subject: Re: Discussion of DOM with Glen Gorden of Henter-Joyce


Chuck,

Can you explain the value of such a feature? It seems to me that it is
only useful in understanding a particular visual layout (that of the
current display). I fail to see how that information is particularly
valuable in the context of a 'complete' Object Model which gives access to
the various components of the current document.

(By hit testing I am assuming you mean something like determining where a
mouse cursor was when it was clicked. I am not certain that this is what
you mean, which adds to my confusion.)

Charles McCathieNevile

  Charles Oppermann wrote:
  > A feature that Glen's product doesn't currently need, but others might
find
  > useful is the ability to get a element based on a X/Y coordinate.  Used
for
  > hit testing.  This is vital for screen readers that use the content of
the
  > DOM - not just manipulate it for a different visual display.

and On Thu, 4 Feb 1999, Ian Jacobs wrote:
  
  We should ensure that this is recommended to the DOM Working Group
  as a feature useful for accessibility.

Received on Thursday, 4 February 1999 16:29:54 UTC