Links (with an I), Lynx (with a Y) and inaccessible sites

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Regarding

The problem is not so much javascript, per se, but the fact
that web designers do not include an accessible version of
their sites.

Example: Javascript is used on many sites for implementing
"roll-over" animations: graphical text (a small gif file,
usualy) that changes color when a mouse pointer is on it, to
create a "glow" or a "shadow" effect. I have also seen drop-
down menus implemented in Javascript. This is TOTALLY
useless, and most web sites should provide a text equivalent
to these functions.

Example: Let's say you have three main links on a page,
which are "Home", "Products" and "Order". Instead of
having pretty javascript all over the place, just include
these three links at the bottom of the page, and be done
with it!!!

The worst offenders, as far as I am concerned, are sites
that use Javascript to point to cgi/bin scripting. This
completely breaks down compatibility as far as alternative
(Lynx/Links) web browsers are concerned, while they can
(usually) be implemented with simple HTTP POST/HTTP GET
forms and functions.

Same thing for Flash animations. I have seen too many sites
that use fairly advanced (and very large) flash animations,
without even offering the possibility of skipping the anim
and move to a low-res www site.

In short: don't blame Lynx/Links for not supporting Javascript,
blame &#!!!@!%! web designers who are too lazy to design
and code their web sites properly, and include a text only
or low graphic low-eye-candy version. This is plain stupid.

On the other hand, a site like http://news.bbc.co.uk is
truly how it should be done. Click on "Low Graphic" and
every single piece of information available on the normal
site is now presented in a very accessible manner.

Why can the BBC do it and not everybody else, like USPS?
Because you have to protest again and again, until all
sites become more accessible. US sites are pretty bad,
as far as I am concerned, maybe because of the enormous
marketing machines that all US companies have these 
days... Marketing types loooooove eye-candy! <grin>

Just my US$ 0.02...

-- 

Gil Andre          gandre@arkeia.com
         Technical Writer
Arkeia Corp.   http://www.arkeia.com





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