Re: [html4all] HTML5 Alternative Text, and Authoring Tools

Henri Sivonen wrote:
>> In doubt, the default should be not to change HTML4.
> 
> 
> FWIW, I have a different view of what to do when in doubt:
> 
> When in doubt, do what doesn't cause harm.
> 
> I think experience (yes, not written down quantitatively) with HTML4 
> validation shows that casting an *accessibility* requirement into a 
> simplistic presence/absence *syntax* requirement does both good (reminds 
> some people to provide useful alt who somehow wouldn't otherwise) and 
> harm (induces people to pollute non-graphical presentation with 
> duplicate data, useless data like "image" or make the context less 
> understandable by concealing the presence of images).
> ...

Just for the record: I was talking about what I think should be the default.

In *this* case (alt attribute), I agree that this is a good change.

BR, Julian

Received on Saturday, 3 May 2008 10:17:14 UTC