- From: Al Gilman <asgilman@iamdigex.net>
- Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2000 09:50:28 -0400
- To: w3c-wai-ua@w3.org
At 01:58 PM 2000-08-29 -0400, Ian Jacobs wrote: >Hello, > [...] > >I propose that "rewind to the beginning" be changed >back to "rewind", since I believe the intent of the WG >was to have VCR-type controls. > I agree that "rewind to the beginning" is probably not the best statement of the function required. I believe that the term "rewind" by itself could be misinterpreted in this regard as being satisfied by a reset to the beginning of the program, so the text of the Recommendation should, close to the statement of the checkpoint if not in it, spell out that this requires progressive but rapid movement of the 'current' index point within the nominal play time axis of the program, and not simply an indivisible leap to the initial point. As I understand what you are saying, you mean 'rewind' to be a synonym for "fast reverse" and not "reset to the beginning." In fast reverse the 'current' pointer into nominal play time moves back toward the beginning at a fixed high rate and the play can be resumed from any prior point in the playlist or SMIL composite by using this function for the right length of time. On a physical tape medium, there is no way to reset to the beginning except as the limiting case of "fast reverse." The words used as text equivalents for the "<<" function may vary between players. When the current pointer is just an index into a dataset or random access secondary storage, either a rapid sweep back to the starting point or an instantaneous jump there is possible. Because the instantaneous reset is an option in our technology, we have to be clear about what we want. I believe that for a digital talking book the "fast reverse" function is viewed as a basic requirement. What about the controls that one gets with QuickTime, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Player? Is there a common core of tape-like functions? If there is a central tendency among the available players that meets our needs, we should align our definition with that, not just invent one. Al
Received on Wednesday, 30 August 2000 09:36:26 UTC