Re: HTML Action Item 54 - ...draft text for HTML 5 spec to require producers/authors to include @alt on img elements.

On May 13, 2008, at 11:09 AM, Steven Faulkner wrote:

>> the AI54 proposal says non-empty alt is mandatory for any image that
> is not purely decorative.
>
> well no it does not, it does not MANDATE anything as it clearly states
> that the advice in informative not normative.

It does have the following mandatory conformance requirements:

"The alt attribute must present and must contain a text alternative  
that serves the equivalent purpose as the image. What is to be  
considered an equivalent purpose, depends on the way an image is used."

Then the advice expands on what is considered equivalent for different  
uses of images. The only case where empty alt is suggested is for  
purely decorative images.

Robert said: "According to the new draft section, the alt attribute is  
not to be used for description of photographs that are critical  
content."

Would you agree with Robert's interpretation of the AI54 proposal  
(this is what he meant by "the new draft section")?

Regards,
Maciej

Received on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 18:23:49 UTC