[uf-discuss] Expanding the abbr pattern

[John Beales]

> > Jeremy wrote:
> >> The simplest solution is to simply expand the pattern to allow the
> >> same usage of class and title on elements other than abbr (span is
> >> specifically mentioned but this would potentially apply to any element).
> > .........
> >> I'd be interested in hearing other arguments for or against this idea.
> >
> > I have another one for.  This isn't from a screen reader perspective,
> > but an IE perspective.
> >
> > Because IE doesn't support the abbr element it is very difficult to
> > target anything written using the abbr design pattern with CSS.
>
> This is no longer true.  IE7 supports the abbr element.

Sorry, I meant to say IE6, not IE in general.

> > If we could use, say, a span this would solve that problem.
>
> If you must have pixel-perfect rendering for your content/site in older
> browsers that don't support abbr, and you need abbr-specific styling, then
> yes, a workaround is to add a <span> element as a styling hook for those
> older browsers.  However we MUST NOT compromise microformats for browsers
> that failed to implement *an entire HTML4 element*.

Agreed. However, not being able to style an entire element in a
browser that still has the lion's share of the market is a real pain
in the behind.  I don't need a pixel-perfect rendering, but some
control would be nice without CSS calisthenics.  Maybe we should just
evangelize FF and/or IE7 more.