Eugen RochkoSep 21, 2023
It's release day! #Mastodon 4.2 will drop later today. I'm very excited for all the improvements we've been working on since January to become available to all server operators and their users.
Show threadLeisureguySep 21, 2023

@Gargron I do hope that one of the improvements is that when one adds an image, the alt-text box automatically and immediately opens with the cursor in the box, ready to enter the alt text. This will finesse three problems:

1. not knowing about alt text
2. knowing about alt text but not knowing how to enter it
3. knowing how to enter it but forgetting in the moment

Making it the natural default removes the structural bias against entering it.

Show threadHartkern
@Leisureguy @Gargron Great Idea! I‘m a constant number three
Sep 21, 2023 at 4:05amWeb
Show threadLeisureguySep 21, 2023

@Hartkern @Gargron

The problem is that the current design is biased against alt-text entry in that it puts barriers in the way. By having the cursor placed in the alt-text entry box as soon as the image is posted, the new default is neutral: the user can choose to enter alt-text or not. With the old implementation, often the choice is not made because the interface hides the opportunity for the choice.