Re: [WSG] Correct use of fieldset
Many thanks for your advice on the subject. I guess kind of got caught up in the part that said the proper use of this element makes documents more accessible. I've never actually sat down and properly read through these documents cover to cover and so I've started picking a different chapter each month to read through. When I got to the fieldset section I got a little over-excited :-) Don't worry about it mate - this stuff takes a long time to sink your teeth into - just keep posting questions when you're not sure of something... as long as its not about font sizes :). Also bear in mind that there are rarely absolute right and wrong answers and its easy to get trapped in a cycle of navel gazing and splitting hairs - check http://www.simplebits.com/notebook/2004/08/04/sq.html for beautiful example. -- Mark Stanton Gruden Pty Ltd http://www.gruden.com ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list getting help **
[WSG] Correct use of fieldset
Hi all, This is my first time posting to this forum, so...hi there! Question: Is it acceptable to use fieldset tag outside of the form element? The official word from the W3C states: "The FIELDSET element allows authors to group thematically related controls and labels. Grouping controls makes it easier for users to understand their purpose while simultaneously facilitating tabbing navigation for visual user agents and speech navigation for speech-oriented user agents. The proper use of this element makes documents more accessible." (http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/interact/forms.html#edef-FIELDSET) They then go on to give an example using form fieldsetlegendPersonal Information/legend Last Name: input name="personal_lastname" type="text" tabindex="1" / First Name: input name="personal_firstname" type="text" tabindex="2" / Address: input name="personal_address" type="text" tabindex="3" / ...more personal information.../fieldset/blockquote Every example I've come across so far (and I've seen *a lot* of examples) has used it within this context. Is it just that grouping input is the most logical and common used example? Or can it be used in other contexts? For example, can it be uses to group a number of related links together? It could be that I'm thinking too hard about something that's really not that big an issue? But it just struck me as something I should look into. Cheers Brad Lucashttp://brad-lucas.org --- ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Correct use of fieldset
On 23/11/2004, at 2:32 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Every example I've come across so far (and I've seen *a lot* of examples) has used it within this context. Is it just that grouping input is the most logical and common used example? Or can it be used in other contexts? It's only intended to group form controls, and I think the spec is pretty clear on that. The FIELDSET element allows authors to group thematically related controls and labels. In the case of DLs, the spec gives a bit of leeway as to what they can be used for, but there's no such leeway here. Now, I can't see anything that implies the FIELDSET *must* contain FORM controls, but the only way to be sure you're valid is to validate the mark-up. Personally, I imagine that the FIELDSET tag would throw off a number of browsers, and most definitely confuse users relying on screen readers, etc, and don't see the point in bending a tag like this to do things it wasn't meant to do. For example, can it be uses to group a number of related links together? A better way to group links is in a UL or OL, then style to suit (even display:inline;) Justin French --- http://justinfrench.com http://indent.com.au ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list getting help **
Re: [WSG] Correct use of fieldset
Hi Brad Welcome to the list. According to the HTML 4.01 DTD, Fieldset can live outside a form block. But it you find yourself putting outside one you're probably due for a sanity check. Are you using it for semantic purposes or just for presentational purposes? If you're using it for semantic purposes (to group a set of fields together), you'll probably want to check why you are putting form fields outside a form - they are pretty useless out there! If you're using it for presentational purposes, then the hardcore standards crew will probably put a hex on you and your family. This is basically the same as using tables for visual layout. If you can do the same thing using more appropriate elements and some CSS, you'll be blessed with eternal good karma and will be worshipped as a standards guru by the millions of list members. Enjoy. -- Mark Stanton Gruden Pty Ltd http://www.gruden.com ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list getting help **
Re: [WSG] Correct use of fieldset
Sorry missed one part of your post: For example, can it be uses to group a number of related links together? I'd suggest that Fieldset in this context is meaningless - its not ArchorSet, its FieldSet - its for form fields. Use a list (ul or ol) for links. -- Mark Stanton Gruden Pty Ltd http://www.gruden.com ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list getting help **
RE: [WSG] Correct use of fieldset
Hi guys, Many thanks for your advice on the subject. I guesskind of got caught up in the part that said"the proper use of this element makes documents more accessible." I've never actually sat down and properly read through these documents "cover to cover" and so I've started pickinga different chapter each month to read through. When I got to the fieldset section I got a littleover-excited:-) Cheers Brad http://brad-lucas.org --- ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
