Comments on: Semantic Image Use http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/ A resource for Web designers and developers to read about and discuss their craft. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:29:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: The Best Browser Extensions for Web Development - Monday By Noon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-227 The Best Browser Extensions for Web Development - Monday By Noon Sun, 02 Sep 2007 06:38:36 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-227 [...] discussion amongst many people in both Web design and development. A good way to check up on the way you’re using images is to see what a design looks like without images. From time to time, viewing your markup and style [...] [...] discussion amongst many people in both Web design and development. A good way to check up on the way you’re using images is to see what a design looks like without images. From time to time, viewing your markup and style [...]

]]> By: Are Inline Styles Sometimes Okay? When? Why? - Monday By Noon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-226 Are Inline Styles Sometimes Okay? When? Why? - Monday By Noon Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:33:20 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-226 [...] they be represented in the markup as an inline image. When images are included in the markup, they should have informational value. Images with the sole purpose of adding to the design can be better included via your style sheet [...] [...] they be represented in the markup as an inline image. When images are included in the markup, they should have informational value. Images with the sole purpose of adding to the design can be better included via your style sheet [...]

]]> By: All in a days work… http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-225 All in a days work… Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:23:45 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-225 [...] Semantic Image Use When it comes to images, the img tag should only be used when the associated image is contextual in nature. Images with a design-oriented purpose should be included as a background-image. (tags: Images) [...] [...] Semantic Image Use When it comes to images, the img tag should only be used when the associated image is contextual in nature. Images with a design-oriented purpose should be included as a background-image. (tags: Images) [...]

]]> By: POSH: Semantic Markup for Driving Directions - Monday By Noon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-224 POSH: Semantic Markup for Driving Directions - Monday By Noon Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:11:50 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-224 [...] encounter. How should these images be included? In my opinion, this is one of the times where semantic image use should be looked into. Taking a step back and thinking about it, these images are unique in that [...] [...] encounter. How should these images be included? In my opinion, this is one of the times where semantic image use should be looked into. Taking a step back and thinking about it, these images are unique in that [...]

]]> By: Improving Your Process: Templating and Theming - Monday By Noon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-223 Improving Your Process: Templating and Theming - Monday By Noon Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:20:38 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-223 [...] creating a theming structure, it’s important to keep in mind semantic image use. While images directly related to the site design should be included with the template, images that [...] [...] creating a theming structure, it’s important to keep in mind semantic image use. While images directly related to the site design should be included with the template, images that [...]

]]> By: Jon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-222 Jon Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:12:53 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-222 That's a really interesting point, Darren. What would you use as a solution for that problem? That’s a really interesting point, Darren. What would you use as a solution for that problem?

]]> By: Darren http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-221 Darren Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:36:17 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-221 With regards to replacement images for headings using css (and presumably text-indent -999 em or similar), there is a situation where the user may have images disabled, therefore leaving nothing on screen to be displayed. At least if the image is contextual the alt text should be visible if images are disabled. With regards to replacement images for headings using css (and presumably text-indent -999 em or similar), there is a situation where the user may have images disabled, therefore leaving nothing on screen to be displayed. At least if the image is contextual the alt text should be visible if images are disabled.

]]> By: Jon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-220 Jon Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:51:12 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-220 @Criss: I do think that it is an important issue because it continues the thought process of keeping content separate from presentation. This thinking can be carried over into the handling of images and I think it should be. If an image is a design element it should be contained as such in a stylesheet. However if an image is part of the content of the document, it should be included in that manner. I don't disagree in your statement regarding a developer having to meet the desires of the client, they are the ones signing the checks, afterall. However, I feel that it is a separate issue. What a client wants shouldn't have much to do with how you include an image in your design. I'm finding it difficult to follow what you're saying in your last remarks. There is always a point to compliance with standards and it is the fault of the browser manufacturer to support them. Yes, as the developer it is your job to ensure the pleasurable viewing experience on all platforms because it is not the users fault for using an inferior product. There is always a point to having your site usable in a text based browser, and there always will be as long as people are using that method of browsing the Internet. ALT attributes should *always* be used with images not only for SEO purposes, but for <em>accessibility</em> -- their primary purpose. They are to be used to provide alternate content for the image for those cases in which the user can not view the image as you intended. @Criss: I do think that it is an important issue because it continues the thought process of keeping content separate from presentation. This thinking can be carried over into the handling of images and I think it should be. If an image is a design element it should be contained as such in a stylesheet. However if an image is part of the content of the document, it should be included in that manner.

I don’t disagree in your statement regarding a developer having to meet the desires of the client, they are the ones signing the checks, afterall. However, I feel that it is a separate issue. What a client wants shouldn’t have much to do with how you include an image in your design.

I’m finding it difficult to follow what you’re saying in your last remarks. There is always a point to compliance with standards and it is the fault of the browser manufacturer to support them. Yes, as the developer it is your job to ensure the pleasurable viewing experience on all platforms because it is not the users fault for using an inferior product. There is always a point to having your site usable in a text based browser, and there always will be as long as people are using that method of browsing the Internet. ALT attributes should *always* be used with images not only for SEO purposes, but for accessibility — their primary purpose. They are to be used to provide alternate content for the image for those cases in which the user can not view the image as you intended.

]]> By: Criss http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-219 Criss Sat, 22 Apr 2006 15:02:10 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-219 I've read this article and altough I agree that the correct way of using the images is how you mention it I disagree that this is an important issue. You are right, it does help text browsing a lot but websites are mostly created for the specific needs of clients and those needs don't usually inmply having their website optimised for such browsing methods. From my point of view a web developer can pull any trick possible to get to the desired result, even if that doesn't comply to some of the standards. I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that if you are designing a website, first, you must make sure that the final product is what the client wants, then you must make sure your site can provide that result in the correct, functinal form to as many users from the target pool as possible but without overdoing it. On top of this, there is no actual point in complying with all the standards if your website doesn't work on all possible browsers. If you don't take the time to make your website work in a browser that has a 5% market share then what point is there in having the site browsable in text mode... not much. And related to SEO, img alt is a good option if the images on your website have any relevance to the content of the website, but again, as with the majority of the websites most images are just design elements which will not actually help users get easyer acces to your websites, yes it may help them obtain the picture that they are looking for easier but it will not help your website in any way. I’ve read this article and altough I agree that the correct way of using the images is how you mention it I disagree that this is an important issue. You are right, it does help text browsing a lot but websites are mostly created for the specific needs of clients and those needs don’t usually inmply having their website optimised for such browsing methods. From my point of view a web developer can pull any trick possible to get to the desired result, even if that doesn’t comply to some of the standards.

I guess the point I’m trying to make here is that if you are designing a website, first, you must make sure that the final product is what the client wants, then you must make sure your site can provide that result in the correct, functinal form to as many users from the target pool as possible but without overdoing it.

On top of this, there is no actual point in complying with all the standards if your website doesn’t work on all possible browsers. If you don’t take the time to make your website work in a browser that has a 5% market share then what point is there in having the site browsable in text mode… not much. And related to SEO, img alt is a good option if the images on your website have any relevance to the content of the website, but again, as with the majority of the websites most images are just design elements which will not actually help users get easyer acces to your websites, yes it may help them obtain the picture that they are looking for easier but it will not help your website in any way.

]]> By: Jon http://mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-218 Jon Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:38:54 +0000 http://www.mondaybynoon.com/2006/03/20/semantic-image-use/#comment-218 @Paul: It's great to hear comments like that. I'm glad the articles are helping you out. I hope that future articles are just as helpful. @Paul: It’s great to hear comments like that. I’m glad the articles are helping you out. I hope that future articles are just as helpful.

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