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Re: yet more questions

for

From: Paul Bohman
Date: Aug 17, 2001 11:55AM

In the context of my email, I used "more generic" to be a sort of synonym for "logical". The onSelect qualifies as a logical event handler because there are multiple ways to select something: kebyoard, mouse, etc. Event handlers such as onClick, onKeypress, or similar, are device-dependent. onSelect represents the logical action: I'm selecting it somehow, whether by keyboard, mouse, retinal scanning, puff-and-sip device or whatever else. The logical ("more generic") event is that of selecting. The device doesn't matter in this case.
A programmer may be able to give you a more technical answer, but that's the gist of it.
Paul Bohman
Technology Coordinator
WebAIM: Web Accessibility in Mind (www.webaim.org)
Center for Persons with Disabilities (www.cpd.usu.edu)
Utah State University (www.usu.edu)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Glenda Watson Hyatt" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
To: "WebAIM forum" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 11:29 AM
Subject: RE: yet more questions

>
> Thanks Paul, this does help. I'm not a Javascript expert either [am
> realizing I need to learn the basics], so I'm flying by the seat of my
> pants, which are wearing rather thin at the moment.
>
> I've figured out the device independent concept enough to bluff it. What's
> throwing me for a loop is "logical". What does that word mean in this
> context? You use "more generic". That makes sense to me.
>
> Cheers,
> Glenda
> >
> > In answer to your question about logical event handlers and embedded
> > interfaces:
> >
> > Logical event handlers:
> > Here is what the W3C specification says: "For scripts, specify
> > logical event
> > handlers rather than device-dependent event handlers. [Priority 2] "
> >
> > It's easiest to explain the term by first explaining what a
> > device-dependent
> > event handler is. The easiest examples are JavaScript commands (event
> > handlers) such as onMouseover. In the case of the onMouseover
> > event handler,
> > the event (moving your mouse over something) triggers another event (e.g.
> > switch images, show submenus, or other effects). Much of the time,
> > onMouseover events are not very important (as with images that appear to
> > glow when you move the mouse over them), but in other cases the events can
> > be very important (as when entirely new content appears when the
> > mouse moves
> > over a piece of text). It would be better to not rely on a
> > particular device
> > (e.g. a mouse) for these important events. A programmer could use other,
> > more generic event handlers, such as onSelect, which would be
> > activated with
> > either a keystroke or a mouse click. I'm not a JavaScript expert,
> > so someone
> > else may be able to further clarify which specific event handlers
> > should and
> > shouldn't be used.
> >
> >
> >
> > Embedded interfaces:
> > The W3C spec says: "Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user
> > interfaces."
> >
> > Things that qualify as embedded user interfaces include:
> > -java applets
> > -media players (Windows Media Player, RealVideo, QuickTime, etc.)
> > -Flash animations/scripts
> > -Shockwave scripts
> > -all other plug-ins
> >
> > The idea here is to make sure that you use plug-ins that are built for
> > accessibility. There are relatively few of them, especially when
> > it comes to
> > embedded plug-ins (see "To embed or not to embed" on the WebAIM site
> > http://www.webaim.org/Articles/embeddedmp.php). The guideline is just
> > telling us not to use inaccessible plug-ins and java applets, and not to
> > create them.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Paul Bohman
> > Technology Coordinator
> > WebAIM: Web Accessibility in Mind (www.webaim.org)
> > Center for Persons with Disabilities (www.cpd.usu.edu)
> > Utah State University (www.usu.edu)
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Glenda Watson Hyatt" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> > To: "WebAIM accessibility forum" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> > Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 12:39 PM
> > Subject: yet more questions
> >
> >
> > > Can anyone explain, in simple terms, "logical" event handlers?
> > >
> > > And "embedded" interfaces?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Glenda
> > >
> > > *********
> > > Glenda Watson Hyatt
> > > Soaring Eagle Communications
> > > "Creating freedom and power through accessible communications"
> > > E Mail: mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> > > Website: http://www.eaglecom.bc.ca
> > > Want to know how to make your website accessible to more people?
> > > Subscribe to our FREE newsletter by emailing
> > > mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> > >
> > > *********
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>