[thelist] XHTML Valid Jump Menu

[Saila, Craig]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frank [mailto:framar at interlog.com]
> Sent: October 24, 2002 2:41 PM

>  > specifying action="#" allows a page to validate
>
> Yes. But what is the purpose of validating code structure
> with inaccessible behaviours, when the point of having valid
> code is to ensure that it's as accessible to as many devices
> as will adopt the W3C standards?

Although I disagree with your assumptions as to why you should have
valid pages, my answer to the first part of your question: sometimes you
have to.

For example, I include a valid OBJECT element to call a QuickTime movie,
hoping the visitors will have the plug-in. If they don't they can:
 a) not see the movie
 b) install the plug-in

Same with the jump menu, the users can:
 a) not use the jump menu (and, as Austin mentioned, instead use the
redundant navigation that should exist in the footer or within the
NOSCRIPT)
 b) use a JavaScript enabled browser.

I think we all are smart enough to know why relying on technology our
users might not have is Not a Good Thing(TM), but many times we don't
have a choice.

What we /can/ do in those cases is make a well-informed decision on how
best to do it -- IMHO, validating it is one step in that process -- and
then implement it.

--
Cheers,

Craig Saila
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craig at saila.com : http://www.saila.com/
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