The HTML editor recently stated that the use of alt tags have become strictly optional. This would have been a good argument except that “research, hard data, and analysis” have not been made available.

We are therefore launching an appeal to the editor to provide this detailed research for the benefit of the HTML community and those groups within the W3C, whose decisions will be directly affected by these claims.

Be Very Specific
To make it simpler, it would be better if the editor refrains from presenting more Google code statistics on top of pseudo scientific jargon in support of his defense. We are asking for an organized and detailed study that employed the scientific method. The study must also include a clear set of goals and objectives and proper methodology.

Scientific Method
I wish to clarify on the scientific method we wish to be used with regards to the issue.
Basically, the scientific method consists of four steps:
1. Observation and description of the phenomena/phenomenon being studied
2. The establishment of a hypothesis that aims to explain the reason for the phenomena/phenomenon (A hypothesis is more popularly a mathematical relation or a causal mechanism in the field of physics.)
3. The use of the hypothesis to determine the patterns and existence of other phenomena or to draw quantitative predictions as to the result of other observations
4. Carrying out experiments based on the predictions with the use of various independent tools.
The hypothesis could then be rejected, modified, or regarded as a theory or a law, depending on the results of experimental tests. Therefore, the driving force behind the scientific method lies on its purpose to prove or disprove a hypothesis or a theory. It is always a possibility that new experiments would not agree with long-standing theories.

Conclusion
We, as a network of HTML practitioners, insist on hearing expert opinion and detailed and well-researched claims to be able to reach a consensus within the HTML WG or make our stand clear on the issue. The important thing is for the matter to be addressed as soon as possible to be able to move on to other pressing issues such as HTML 5 accessibility.

Tags: HTML5 and alt