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Re: Upload file or files. Examples needed.

for

From: Jukka K. Korpela
Date: Apr 25, 2005 2:28PM

On Mon, 25 Apr 2005, Patrick H. Lauke wrote:


>> just using the standard file upload form widget (plus of course the
>> usual label etc) should be all that's needed.


I'd say that it's basically what we can do. The implementation of file
input in browsers is awful in usability and accessibility, but we can't
change that.


>> <label for="localfile">Select document file from local machine</label>


Usually we shouldn't explain technicalities, but since file input is
relatively rare, such an explanation is probably useful. However,
I would not repeat it for all the fields when there are several file input
fields.


>> <legend>Upload a document and short synopsis</legend>
>> <label for="localfile1">Select document file from local machine</label>
>> <input type="file" id="localfile1" name="localfile1" />
>> <label for="localfile2">Select synopsis file from local machine</label>
>> <input type="file" id="localfile2" name="localfile2" />


I think it's better to say first (e.g., after the <legend> element)
"Please select files from your computer, for submission"
("your computer" is probably a little bit more understandable
than "local machine")
and then use short labels, like "document" and "synopsis". If the label is
long, it is difficult to get the point, especially if you have cognitive
disabilities.

-- Jukka "Yucca" Korpela, http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/