Editorial comments for latest 2.0 spec
Earl Hood <ehood@imagine.convex.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 94 15:41:19 EDT
Message-id: <199410141936.OAA03214@imagine.convex.com>
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From: Earl Hood <ehood@imagine.convex.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <html-wg@oclc.org>
Subject: Editorial comments for latest 2.0 spec
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(All references are to the HTML version of the spec)
Here is my $1.25 worth about the spec:
--------
HTMLSPEC_3.html: 2. Overview of HTML Specification,
3.4.1 Understanding HTML Elements
The following text exists:
Start tags are delimited by < and >, and end tags are delimited
by </ and >. For example:
<H1>This is a Heading</H1>
<P>This is a paragraph.
----^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The <P> example seems out of place in the context of the sentence
preceding the example.
--------
HTMLSPEC_4.html: 2.1 Introduction to HTML Elements
Level conformance is mentioned without prior discussion about HTML
level conformance. Example:
The Anchor element is a feature supported by HTML Level 1.
As a reader, I'd be confused about this level reference if I was
new to HTML. I believe either a cross-reference should be present
to the level conformance section (3.1), or levels should not even
be mentioned in the introduction of elements.
--------
HTMLSPEC_9.html: 3.3 Understanding HTML and SGML
The following text exists in the first paragraph of section 3.3:
The SGML declaration for HTML is given in SGML Declaration for HTML.
----------------------------------------------^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I believe this is supposed to be a cross-reference (hyperlink), but
no such anchor exists.
--------
HTMLSPEC_10.html: 3.4.1 Understanding HTML Elements
The 3rd paragraph of 3.4.1:
NOTE: Technically, the start and end tags for HTML, HEAD, and
BODY elements are omissible. However, this is not recommended
since the HEAD/ BODY structure allows an implementation to
determine certain properties of a document -- the TITLE, for
example -- without parsing the entire document.
I believe should be after the (last) paragraph in 3.4:
HTML documents should also contain an <HTML> tag at the
beginning of the file (after the prologue), and </HTML> at the
end. Within those tags, an HTML document is organized as a HEAD
and a BODY, much like memo or a mail message. Within the HEAD,
you can specify the TITLE and other information about the
document. Within the BODY, you can structure text into
paragraphs and lists as well as highlighting phrases and
creating links. You do this using HTML elements.
And before the beginning of 3.4.1.
--------
HTMLSPEC_14.html: 3.8.4 EM (Emphasis)
2nd paragraph:
While <EM> and <I> often give the same effect, use <EM> except
eeein the case that ...
----^^^^^
Typo.
--------
HTMLSPEC_15.html: 3.9.2 I (Italic)
Paragraph:
The <I> tag specifies that the text be displayed in italic font
(or slanted if italic unavailable).
The text:
where available, otherwise alternative mapping is allowed.
should be added, like in 3.9.1 B (Boldface). Browsers like Lynx
cannot do italics or slanted.
--------
HTMLSPEC_17.html: 3.11.1 (DL) Definition List
6th paragraph:
Unless you provide the compact attribute, HTML leaves white
----------------------------------------------^^^^ ^-----------------
space between successive DT, DD pairs. The COMPACT attribute may
also reduce the width of the left-hand (DT) column.
Should be replaced with "HTML viewer", "formatter", "client", or
something similiar. The second "^" mark represents that the
word "may", or "typically", should be added.
--------
HTMLSPEC_17.html: 3.11.1 (DL) Definition List
7th paragraph:
The opening list tag must be DL COMPACT. It must be immediately
followed by the first term (DT). For example:
Awkward paragraph. Seems better transition (structure) is needed.
The paragraph asserts that the COMPACT attribute is always
required.
--------
HTMLSPEC_17.html: 3.11 Lists
General: The COMPACT attribute is not mentioned for OL and UL.
Has the COMPACT attribute disappeared for these elements? If
not, it might be useful to give formatting/rendering tips for
the elements when the COMPACT attribute is specified.
--------
GENERAL:
I noticed some slight formatting errors in the HTML version of
the spec. I'm guessing it has to do with usage of WebMaker.
--------
That's all folks.
--ewh
----
Earl Hood | CONVEX Computer Corporation
ehood@convex.com | 3000 Waterview Parkway
Phone: (214) 497-4387 | P.O. Box 833851
FAX: (214) 497-4500 | Richardson, TX 75083-3851