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Relative vs. absolute units

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From: julian.rickards@ndm.gov.on.ca
Date: Jan 3, 2003 1:34PM

Hi:

WCAG 1.0: Checkpoint 3.4

"Use relative rather than absolute units in markup language attribute values
and style sheet property values."

I understand the purpose of using relative font sizes but WCAG 1.0
Checkpoint 3.4 does not make the distinction that it is referring to only
font sizes or if it is refering to any time a measurement is to be used. For
example, for usability issues, graphics should be sized with height and
width but graphics have a "physical" dimension and should be measured using
pixels, an absolute unit of measurement. In an instance where the left cell
of a layout table in which the left cell is the navbar for the page (and the
site), if the links are graphical links, then the graphics will have to be
measured using pixels and it makes sense to make that cell's width also
measured in pixels. However, I do agree that the table as a whole should be
sized using percentage (for example 100%) so that the right cell with the
content may expand or contract as the widht of the browser window dictates.

Is this a reasonable interpretation of checkpoint 3.4?

Jules

---------------------------------------------------------
Julian Rickards
Digital Publications Distribution Coordinator
Publications Services Section
Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Phone: (705) 670-5608
Fax: (705) 670-5690


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