[thelist] accessible imagemaps

[Matthias Willerich]

Sam,
I agree with you in saying that if an imagemap is necessary and it's because
of bad design, it shouldn't be done. Luckily I could avoid using it
altogether.
Julian,
I kinda went with your approach (although I already did it at the weekend).
I used a background image and positioned the links on top. Actually, they're
even held in a UL, and they're text links with PHARK image replacements.
Just to add a little controversy: I've read the WAI checklist before I wrote
to the list, and it only condemns server-side imagemaps. Mentioned CSIMs
with alt tags are ok. Lynx is ok with them, too. 

But I'm not ok with them. 

I find it annoying when someone comes back with this great idea of using a
picture of a photo shoot and activating areas for a web page.
All I was wondering was if there are well WAI educated voices out there that
would say "instead of using background images, lists and absolute
positioning, stop showing off and use an imagemap and alt tags".

But nobody said that. So I feel encouraged by the silent majority. :o)

Cheers,
Matthias