Stupid browser, V7

I’d like you to hover your mouse pointer over the mugshot on the left. What does the tooltip text say?

1. Ivan’s blog posts
2. You are using a stupid browser

If it’s the former, congratulations on using a smart browser. If it’s the latter, then I know you’re using Internet Explorer, even though you might be on the latest version.

From the HTML 4.01 Specification, Objects, Images, and Applets:

“The alt attribute specifies alternate text that is rendered when the image cannot be displayed (see below for information on how to specify alternate text ). User agents must render alternate text when they cannot support images, they cannot support a certain image type or when they are configured not to display images.”

So, is anyone else other than Microsoft confused by this? It seems pretty simple to me: Your browser will either show the image or the alt text, but never both.

CAPTCHA images shut out people too

If you currently use CAPTCHA images on your website, you should watch this video and find out just how difficult you’re making it for some of your users to interact with your webforms.

Building accessible websites

For anyone who’s fair dinkum about web accessibility, make sure you read Joe Clark’s highly informative book Building Accessible Websites. Although Joe is kind enough to offer an electronic version on his website, the paper edition is still a very good buy for those who prefer the feel of paper.

Westpac’s website woes continue

The SMH Blog reports on Westpac’s continuing problems:

“Thousands of Westpac customers went without their internet banking and online broking services for most of yesterday following a website glitch which, as of this morning, has still not been completely fixed.”

Q: Is this the same bank known for its crippled pages and worst website presentation?
A: Yes.

Q: Is this the same bank which has done a major visual “makeover” but then forgot to fix their usability and accessibility flaws?
A: Yes.

Q: If you put lipstick on a pig, is it still a pig?
A: Yes.

My second candidate for the web monkeys of the year award.

Fancy formatting mistakes

Jakob Nielsen illustrates why fancy formatting using a big red type for important information, even though it’s at the top of a website homepage, is a mistake.