It's a God-send. If only it had been properly explained sooner. Fortunately my recent conversion to virtually tableless websites means I do't have many changes to make. :)
-- Paul A Noone Webmaster, ASHM [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Vlad Alexander (XStandard) Sent: Thursday, 22 December 2005 9:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WSG] Best Web Standards thing I learnt in 2005. Hi Terrence, > The summary attribute is best used to describe the structure of the > table, not to summarise it's content. Thanks for sharing that with us. Can you please let me know the source of this info? Anybody else have an opinion on this? Regards, -Vlad http://xstandard.com -------- Original Message -------- From: Terrence Wood Date: 12/21/2005 4:22 PM > The best web standards thing I learnt in 2005 is: > > How to best use the summary attribute for screen reader users: > > The summary attribute is best used to describe the structure of the > table, not to summarise it's content. A longer summary is better > according to actual screen reader user testing. > > How do you know if your summary works, if you don't have any screen > reader users to test with? > > You need two people, someone to read the summary and someone to draw > the table. Read your summary aloud and see what the other person > draws. If the result resembles your table then you are on the right > track =) > > Example from complex financial table: > summary="There are 8 columns. Column 1 names the appropriation and > labels the row or rowgroup. Columns 2 through 5 report the numbers for > 2004/5, where column 2 is Budgeted Annual, column 3 is Budgeted Other, > column 4 is Estimated Actual Annual, column 5 is Estimated Actual > Other. Columns 6 through 7 report the numbers for 2005/6 where column > 6 is Vote Annual, column 7 is Vote Other. Column 8 contains narrative > on the scope of the appropriation. Rows are grouped by appropriation type." > > (yep.. "rowgroup" is jargon, but most people got it... you could say > "group of rows") > > HTH, please share your discovery in 2005. > > kind regards > Terrence Wood. > > ****************************************************** > The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ > > See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > for some hints on posting to the list & getting help > ****************************************************** > > ****************************************************** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help ****************************************************** ****************************************************** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help ******************************************************
