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Re: complex layout tables

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From: Nathalie Sequeira
Date: Jan 29, 2014 3:03AM

Hi Olaf,

Am 29.01.2014 08:20, schrieb Olaf Drümmer:
> so why not introduce a rule such that AT should skip 'announcing'
> (does that apply to anything other than screen readers?) the
> table-ness of layout tables, and just progress through the layout
> table's cell in the intended order?

But... what IS the "intended order"?
Screen readers just linearize table contents.
There is no mechanism in HTML to define which table cell comes first
should that (in a Western context) default left-to-right top-to-bottom
order lead to incoherent reading order - and why? Because thats not what
tables are there for!

Yes, accomodations have been made all over based on the fact that many
adamantly insist on still using tables for their layouts.

But in 2014, we can build sites with slim, lightweight HTML styled by
CSS - that ALL browsers understand, and insisting on using table layouts
IMHO is a sign of ignorance and laziness to learn state-of-the-art
(goodness, theyre not even that, just plain middle of the road
actually!) techniques.
Today, there is NO reason to be using a technique that bloats page size,
is difficult to maintain, potentially creates problems for a whole
segment of users and is not at all in tune with the reality of an
increasing variety of devices being used to access the web.

Bottom line: it is up to webpage-creators to kick their antiquated
habits. Enough excuses have been made and it really is time to change.

Cheers,
Nathalie