Yes, MathML is the "right" way to do equations, but after a decade of waiting it's time to go with what actually works. That said, even if we come up with a standard for associating MathML and TeX with images, I'm not going to stop pushing for MathML. Equations displayed (and spoken) directly from embedded MathML in the web page will have a number of advantages over any other scheme. Just off the top of my head, they include:
- The font used in the equation can be made to match that of the surrounding text in face, size, color, etc. - When the page is zoomed, the equation display won't look pixelated as with a blown up bitmap. - Client-side scripting can modify the equation and it will update accordingly. - When spoken, sub-expressions may be highlighted in synchrony. A good way to go for website designers is to do server-side browser detection to detect MathML support. If present, a page containing MathML equations may be returned. Otherwise, a page with equation images and attached or embedded MathML should be returned. Paul Topping Design Science, Inc. www.dessci.com > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:microformats- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 4:17 PM > To: For discussion of new microformats. > Subject: Re: [uf-new] an equation/MathML/TeX microformat? > > From: Paul Topping <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Instead of addressing the successes and failures of MathML, let's look > > at the many "solutions" to the equation display in a web page problem. > > There are many websites that represent equations as images. They do > this > > because of the universal browser compatibility of HTML with equation > > images. MathML is not a solution as it is not close to being > universally > > supported in browsers. This is a big issue in education which is > usually > > not in a position to dictate browsers and, perhaps more importantly, > > doesn't want to embrace any solution that might require the user to > > download plugins and/or fonts. Equation images are 100% reliable. > > Education places didn't want to enable javascript on their browsers > because that gave the illusion of greater protection. > Now they have and they are more the richer from the experience. > > MathML is a really good answer to the problem of displaying equations on > the web, but it won't be more widely used until it's more widely used. > There was a similar dilemma with shockwave flash, there has been an > ongoing issue with support for various browsers, and there is beginning > to be one once again with AJAX powered sites. > > With all of these, the consensus has been to use the more advanced > technology, but allow the user to use a lesser form should they desire. > > MathML has to be the primary notation, otherwise it just won't make any > ground at all. The TEX format if available can be incorporated as a > title attribute, or even in plain text on the screen, with a link to a > normal image for greater accessibility. > > Anyone who uses MathML regularly will have the greatest incentive to > update what's required so that they become able to use it. Those who > occasionally use MathML will realise after a few experiences that doing > some minor updates to their machine will bring greater usability for > them. > > If on the other hand we display images first and the more useful > information elsewhere, what incentive is there to hunt out that other > information. There is none. > > The MathML standard has been around for long enough now, it's about time > to start using it properly. > > > -- > 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
