[Irl-dean] Mozilla Extensions (was ICT-Expo)

[Paul Walsh, Segala]

Hi Josh, my comments can be found below.

      -----Original Message-----
      From: Joshue O Connor
                  
      > Well, I'd like to invite the group to come up with
      >> requirements for an extension that will suit specific 
      user types or 
      >> one that fits as much as possible.
      
      What does that mean? Are you referring to a browser 
      extension that duplicates what a screen reader does or 
      has widgets that somehow help those with motor 
      impairments? I can see how  a developer would use the 
      accessibility tool bar to  develop accessible websites, 
      but I am curious about how other extensions would be of 
      use to an end user, especially when there are many 
      applications that already serve those with Assistive 
      Technology requirements. Or would these new extensions 
      quickly become redundant, or just add another layer of complexity?
      
      For example, how many end users use many of the features 
      already within their browser? A great example is the 
      resize icon in IE, its very useful but so few use it , or 
      they don't even know it is there!
      
      I don't wish to tone of this mail to seem 
      confrontational, as that is not my intention, I just need 
      clarification as to what you mean by "extensions" for the 
      end user (as distinct from "developer extensions").

I didn't think your valid questions/comments were confrontational at all. 

It's not my intention to duplicate the work that has already been done. Our
primary goal for the extension and full browser is to include
Trustmarks/Content Labels starting with accessibility. We later thought that
it might be useful to build an extension (or full browser) to include
whatever accessibility considerations previous ones haven't included yet.

We haven't conducted any research to see if there is a requirement for a new
extension so we might find that there isn't one. The technology that we're
working with however hasn't been released yet and it will be included in the
mainstream Firefox browser (that's Mozilla's not Segala's). The technology
enables users to store their profile dynamically and enables them to rate
the trustworthiness of websites using functionality in the toolbar.

Furthermore, the browser will be able to read RDF metadata which means we
can help the W3C DCL working group with the creation of user profiles based
on WCAG. This is getting a bit complex so perhaps I'll wait until I can
demonstrate something.

We're only trying to help and don't intend to charge for any of this work.
      
      >> The browser will include technology that hasn't been 
      released yet. 
      >> User profiles and bookmarks are stored and update 
      dynamically. This 
      >> means that users with the same browser can be located 
      anywhere in the 
      >> world and still have access to their bookmarks and 
      browser configuration.
      
      This does sound very similar to what Flock are doing with 
      their new browser.
      (Anyone interested can download the development version 
      at http://www.flock.com/)

No it's not the same at all which means I haven't explained myself very
well. I won't bore everyone with the details here and will demonstrate what
I mean with an actual extension soon.

Cheers
Paul