Comment on HTML-longdesc Last Call.

In my opinion, 3.0.3 User Agents (UAs) is deficient. While it requires
UAs to make the link available, it arguably does not require anything
more than access to the source code. 

 

My rational is that access to the source code is a regular user
interface. Access to source code is provided in most if not all UAs. The
word 'available' does not specify what we can do with the link or how we
use it. 

 

As a result of using the word 'available', I feel there is nothing in
3.0.3 that would compel UAs to make easy access to longdesc links
possible. I feel it needs to be more prescriptive to UAs that everyone
should benefit from longdescs.

 

I am suggesting a change or addition:

"If the longdesc value is valid, User agents must make the link
actionable or able to be activated to all users through the regular user
interface(s) similar to regular links." 

 

Choose the wording the best describes how a regular link is activated.

 

A Non-normative example: Add to the context menu of the image a 'Go to
long description' menu item.

 

I hope my opinion is clear and my goal is entice UAs to make longdesc
readily available to all users.
I also hope that you agree with me.

 

Thank you.
Guy Moreau
@gmyxgpws (twitter)