Re: LYNX-DEV numbered linx: 2 suggestions

[Laura Eaves]

> > 2) I'm new to the web
> -- so am i, tho' a bit ahead of you: it IS important to ask these questions.
> > When a page has a form on it (say to do a search)
> > lynx doesn't number the entries on the form as links.
> > I have to use the arrow keys in order to access them.
> > Is there a reason for this?
> -- someone suggested it mt be a problem for the blind: wd it?

I have a friend who's totally blind and uses a speech synthesizer
and screen reader.  He says he uses numbered links because it makes it
easier to identify where the links are.  I don't know if screen readers
can identify or search for highlighted text.  I know they can track the cursor
to locate input fields (assuming the cursor jumps to the input field
when its number is selected).  If it's not selected, there's no way of
knowing it's there.  Same for buttons.

If input fields are numbered the question is how they
would be differentiated from regular links: [25]_______
If the user selects it by typing the number, I suppose the cursor
could jump to the line and this would identify it.  (Also the message
in the status bar.)
As for buttons, perhaps the current link could be moved
to the button without pressing it.  The status bar would then identify it.
(Which makes me wonder if this wouldn't be a good idea for regular links also.
Typing a number could move the current link but not select.  This would be
nice if the user typed a number of a link on a different page.  It
would be nice to verify it is the right link before entering it.)
But maybe this would change things too much.

Is this totally off the wall?

I could send mail to my friend and ask him about it.
I have low vision and use screen magnification, but like numbered links for
the same reasons.

> -- otherwise, cd we get it changed? any programming problem?
> -- i suspect there is some idea out there that numbering links is for novices,
>    so that these small improvements have been overlooked.

--le
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