MathML and TeX are fine as formats but what I'm looking for is a way to associate them with an equation image within HTML. Just as other microformats create invisible-to-the-user structure containing text that is visible to the user, I want to create invisible-to-the-user structure containing an equation image. The invisible-to-the-user structure in this case would contain the MathML and/or TeX language representing the equation. This way, one gets an equation image which is visible in all browsers but backed with useful equation structure.
This would be useful in a number of ways but here's two: 1) Accessibility of math to people with vision problems and/or learning disabilities is enabled by converting the MathML to speech or to braille. This technology is already available in my company's MathPlayer plugin for IE and it works with popular Windows screen readers. TeX can also be handled by first converting it to MathML. 2) Other math and scientific software can work directly with equations if the representation is rich enough. Obviously, an equation image won't work but MathML or TeX will. Embedding the MathML or TeX with the equation image in the HTML page will enable one to copy the equation to the clipboard and then into apps such as Mathematica, Maple, or MathType. The latest version of MathType includes a feature like this that allows the user to copy equations out of the many Wikipedia pages that contain equations. Luckily, Wikipedia exposes the TeX representation of the equations which enables this feature to work. Unfortunately, this is done in an ad hoc manner. Standardization of this is what I seek with an equation microformat. All of this would be unnecessary if browsers uniformly supported MathML in HTML but, as previously explained, they don't. IE requires a plugin and Firefox supports MathML only in XHTML, not plain old HTML. Other browsers don't support display of MathML at all. I hope I've made the situation clearer. Paul > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:microformats- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 8:17 PM > To: For discussion of new microformats. > Subject: Re: [uf-new] an equation/MathML/TeX microformat? > > From: Paul Topping <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: For discussion of new microformats. <microformats- > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Sent: Friday, 26 October, 2007 11:39:30 AM > > Subject: RE: [uf-new] an equation/MathML/TeX microformat? > > > > "Start the discussion before you start creating any pages on the > wiki." > > > > Let the discussion begin ;-) > > Why do you want an equation microformat? > hCard solved the problem of copying contact details to your address > book. > > What problem will an equation microformat solve? > Can it be solved already with the existing MathML and other formats? > > > -- > Paul Wilkins > > > > > _______________________________________________ > microformats-new mailing list > [email protected] > http://microformats.org/mailman/listinfo/microformats-new _______________________________________________ microformats-new mailing list [email protected] http://microformats.org/mailman/listinfo/microformats-new
