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

[Joshue O Connor]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

> I won't bore everyone with the details here and will demonstrate what
> I mean with an actual extension soon.

I look forward to seeing it.

Best Regards

Josh


Paul Walsh, Segala wrote:
> 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
> 
> 
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