ticho
Jeri Dansky
Jette10@jeridansky @JonathanMosen
Yay! I think most people are cooperating.
@jeanettepizzurro Yeah, I'm seeing *lots* of really good alt text!
CJ Moose ⚒️🌋🦉🍻⛺@jeridansky @JonathanMosen I wish Mastodon would preferentially remember CamelCase hashtags rather than automatically suggesting lowercase versions by default.
@cjmoose Me, too. That's always been annoying.
Nerd That Talks Good
Ciourte Piaille
clacke: exhausted pixie dream boy 🇸🇪🇭🇰💙💛@ciourte @cjmoose @jeridansky @JonathanMosen Snake case is not wrong, just unusual as the convention in this particular space is camel case (upper/Pascal or lower as you please).
Snake case uses a bit more horizontal space, which might he considered a factor against it, but a far weaker factor than "everybody else uses camel case".
@clacke @jeridansky @JonathanMosen @cjmoose As pointed in the first message though, not everybody uses camel case; a noticeable amount of people uses lowercase hashtags.
Erzbet@cjmoose @jeridansky @JonathanMosen I think it suggest the casing used by the first person on the server to use that tag.
AmiW Streetart ❄️
Leisureguy@jeridansky @JonathanMosen
Mastodon's is designed to make entering alt text less convenient than not entering it. The design encourages not entering alt text.
Adding an image should open the edit page with the cursor in the alt text entry box. The current design requires that a user:
1. know what alt text is
2. know how to open the entry box
3. take the extra step to open the entry box
4. remember to do it
If alt text were the default, entering alt text would be easier and more natural
@Leisureguy A lot of people are composing using apps, and each app handles this differently. I use Toot! and when I add images I'm prompted with this: "Tap on the images to give them descriptions and set focal points for cropping." That seems pretty good to me.
@jeridansky It is good, but I do think it would be better if no tap were required. Why make the user take that step when the app itself could automatically open the edit box with the cursor ready to enter alt text?
That saves a step and would be informative to those who don't know exactly what the tap would do.
If you would someone to take an action (e.g., enter alt text), you remove every possible barrier to taking that action. That's why stores have doors that open automatically.
@Leisureguy Here's what it looks like on Toot! This is when I started my post by adding a photo from my library.
Designing the user interface for creating a post must be a challenge, and I think Toot! did a fine job. One tap to add alt text (which isn't even called alt text) seems like a trivial barrier to me. YMMV.
@jeridansky Yes, having to tap to add text is a barrier — a trivial barrier, as you say, but still a barrier. And the (trivial) barrier can be removed by have the software already present what the result would if the image were tapped. That would remove the need to tap.
ProtectiveHen@Leisureguy @jeridansky @JonathanMosen This is a GREAT suggestion to #Mastodon #Fediverse for #accessibility to make #AT opt-out rather than opt-in!
Thanks. I hope that if I keep suggesting it, it will eventually be implemented.
@Leisureguy @jeridansky @JonathanMosen Yes! Reducing friction on the #Fediverse would be very helpful for newbies staying - also for people with hand issues. A simple way to browse the feed without mousing would be great. Just think if the major text-based social media could be non-corporate ad- and surveillance-free!
Moira@jeridansky @JonathanMosen I have got to be better at this. Thanks for the reminder.
@remainders You can follow @alt_text if you'd like an automated reminder when you forget!
@jeridansky @alt_text WHAT. This is amazing. Following!
Moshi 
@jeridansky @JonathanMosen not really a hashtag person but thanks for the info about camel case hashtags, I'll be sure to remember that
joel b@jeridansky @JonathanMosen I've been trying hard to provide it for my main posts but usually for flippant comments I'll forget.
@skotchygut If you want any more encouragement to keep remembering, here's someone explaining how much the descriptive text means to her blind mom: https://home.social/@cheetahmarie/109911610637011866
Cheetahmarie (@[email protected])
Ok, so there is much discussion about the alt text on pictures. My mom is legally blind. As she has gotten older her sight is almost gone. She LIVES on the computer and to say she gets excited when special attention is paid for the blind is a great understatement. Please use alt text and describe the pictures you post. Describe it as if you had your eyes closed and the only link to the outside world is what a kind soul took an extra 5 minutes to type. Come on, do it, make someone’s day.#AltText
Colin-Roy Hunter@jeridansky @JonathanMosen I applaud the letter, which, alas, I struggled to read. I am not blind, but have visual issues. The font used for the letter is difficult to read. For myself, a clear, bold type-face, preferably sans-serif is easier to read.
David Gilbert 🇨🇦@jeridansky @JonathanMosen I hadn't considered Camel Case before, but it makes perfect sense! Will be doing so going forward.
@david_gilbert Yay, you! Thanks for helping people who use screen reader software.
Gabriel Arana@jeridansky @JonathanMosen At @TexasObserver we always make sure to fill our the ALT text. Appreciate the reminder!
@gabrielarana Just one more reason to love the Observer. (Yes, I'm a subscriber.)
@jeridansky Appreciate you!
chaircrusherI discovered that Facebook supports alt Text & I've started using it. Unfortunately no one else seems to. I only checked on FB because #Mastodon clients prompt me for it.
@chaircrusher I had no idea about Facebook, since I don't use it. But yay, you! Maybe you can help start a trend.
Wendell@jeridansky good advice. I’ve figured out how to add alt text to images. Not too clear on CamelCase but still learning!
@Wendell Yay, you, for adding alt text!
Screen reader software needs the capitalization in hashtags in order to make out the words. #thisismyhashtag is just a jumble of letters; #ThisIsMyHashtag is readable. (It's easier for the sighted to read, too!)
@jeridansky ah, much clearer on the hashtags now. Thanks!
PJ "Vote Green" CoffeyI support the use of alt-text for pictures because mastodon is awesome and I want to share.
Justin Pot, a journalist, has also reviewed some apps. Perhaps relevant?
https://mastodon.social/@jhpot/110215070534632953
@jhpot - Hey! Here’s are some apps for typing using your voice. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-speech-to-text-apps-and-tools
@Homebrewandhacking @jeridansky @JonathanMosen @jhpot Thank you for sharing! A helpful intro to the speech apps developed by Microsoft, Google, and Apple (PS Siri is Dragon). As someone with RSIs, I've used Dragon products for years. One need the FOSS community still has: a FOSS speech engine for those concerned about privacy, surveillance, and monopolies. There is currently no good FOSS option for people using degoogled phones such as #CalyxOS operating systems.
Adam Fields@jeridansky you can follow @PleaseCaption to remind you if you forget
@fields It's a well-ingrained habit for me, but I have pointed that account out to others!