[uf-discuss] value-title design pattern

[Robert O'Rourke]

Ben Ward wrote:
> Hi Robert,
>
> Thanks for your feedback on the value-title work. It's moving along 
> quite nicely.
>
> On 6 Feb 2009, at 03:04, Robert O'Rourke wrote:
>
>> Anyway there was a bit of discussion on strackoverflow and a clever 
>> chap called Cristoph suggested using the VAR tag. I'm not entirely 
>> clear whether it's semantically valid to use to store a datetime in 
>> the title attribute but the spec states it's 'an instance of a 
>> variable'. Is that geared towards marking up code rather than an 
>> arbritrary variable?
>>
>> The thread on stackoverflow is here:
>> http://stackoverflow.com/questions/457366/disabling-browser-tooltips-on-links-and-abbrs 
>>
>>
>> Cristoph's suggestion is at the bottom.
>
> Your guess is correct: <var> is for marking up code, not embedding 
> data; here's a lot of computer science bias in HTML4.
>
> One of the key design goals I have with the new pattern is enabling 
> choice. Whilst the semantic validity of ABBR use is oft debated, and 
> the accessibility issues are proven, there's always been a problem and 
> discomfort from forcing use of a particular element onto authors. The 
> new pattern is, as mentioned on the test page, mark-up agnostic (you 
> can use span, or b, or input, or var, or whatever you like).
>
> As such, you can publish something like Cristoph's pattern if you want 
> to.
>
> You would do this, just adding the existing value-excerption pattern 
> ‘value’ class to the <var>.
> <p>
>  The party is at
>   <dfn class="dtstart">10 o'clock on the 10th
>   <var class="value">20051010T10:10:10-010</var></dfn>.
> </p>
> Personally, I don't agree with the uses of those elements here.
>
> I should have a followup on the value-excerption work next week, along 
> with a draft spec.
>
> Ben

Thanks for taking the time to respond Ben, I know you must be very busy.

I agree <var> didn't feel quite right but I thought I'd post it. The 
mark-up agnostic approach is a great idea though. Looking forward to 
reading the spec, thanks again Ben.

Rob