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Re: button or link for downloads

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From: Dean.Vasile
Date: Dec 20, 2023 8:42AM

Peter
That was an excellent article.
However there were some areas of that article that actually support my position.
What I am running into on websites is static text that says click the button below
However, then that button happens to be a link
If something is going to be coded as a link, then all static text on the webpage needs to refer to it as a link
Subsequently if it is coded as a button, the static text should refer to it as a button.
So there are definitely situations where download links should be coded as links, but not referred to as buttons on the webpage
Dean Vasile


617-799-1162

> On Dec 20, 2023, at 10:23 AM, Peter Weil < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> Dean,
>
> I'm curious: why do you expect the download (link? Button?) to be a button?
>
> This is maybe the best write-up I’ve seen about this (by Eric Bailey):
>
> https://css-tricks.com/building-good-download-button/
>
> Also, it might be a little difficult to share a “download button” with someone, wouldn't it?
>
> - Peter
>
>> On Dec 20, 2023, at 9:10 AM, <EMAIL REMOVED> wrote:
>>
>> I have to disagree.
>> I am coming from the perspective of a screen reader user completely non-visual.
>> I expect the download button to be a button.
>> Because when I navigate by the letter B
>> I expect to find it if it is a link, I will not find it, and I will have to go looking for the download
>> I feel the same way about those elements along with edit buttons. Next buttons I keep running into situations where coders make them links, and it is very frustrating as a screen reader user trying to decipher what the developer intended.
>> Dean Vasile
>>
>>
>> 617-799-1162
>>
>>>> On Dec 20, 2023, at 9:38 AM, Geethavani.Shamanna < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>>>
>>> I would go with a Download button if the download starts immediately after the user clicks the button. On the other hand, if users are expected to provide some information before the download becomes available, then a link is better, as the link takes the user to another page where they then enter the requested details.
>>>
>>>