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RE: Alt Tags length and Content

for

From: julian.rickards@ndm.gov.on.ca
Date: Aug 11, 2003 6:40AM

Terence wrote:

> Maybe these icons should have a longdesc and a 'd' link. The problem
> with the W3C icons alternate text is they are loaded with
> abbreviations
> or acronyms (which is which?) which, if explained, would make the alt
> text way to long, and if unexplained, make the alt text
> somewhat opaque
> as to meaning for the average user. Further one cannot use ABBR and
> ACRONYM elements in alternate text.

It is my understanding that HTML is an abbreviation and NATO is an acronym
the difference being that an abbreviation is spelt out and an acronym is
pronouced like a word.

No, you can't use <abbr> or <acronym> in alt text but if necessary, one
could use parentheses such as "HTML (HyperText Markup Language)".

Jules


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