Clarification Accesskey

[ajaxdinesh]

Hi,

I have given the sample code given below,

<ul>
	<li><a href="../"                accesskey="h">home</a>
	<li><a href="_a.html"            accesskey="a">anchor</a>
	<li><a href="../quicklist.html"  accesskey="q">quicklist</a>
</ul>

If i press the alt+h, h and ctrl+h in the keyboard. But not go to the home page. How can i check this in the browsers. its working or not?

[C. Ankerstjerne]

This is the reason why the accesskey attribute shouldn't be used: you can't possibly know which keyboard shortcuts are being used by the visitor, since there are so many browsers with language-dependant shortcuts out there.

[AutisticCuckoo]

It depends on which browser you have. I think Alt+accesskey might work in IE. Firefox uses Shift+Alt+accesskey, if I recall correctly. Opera uses Shift+Esc accesskey.

But as Christian said, accesskeys are fraught with problems. Especially letters, which are often used for accelerators in the browser itself.

[felgall]

You have to avoiid all the characters that any browsers use internally when setting up access keys. In practice that limits you to numbers only for your access keys if you want them to almost always work.

[AutisticCuckoo]

Yes, and numbers come with a disadvantage all of their own: it can prevent Windows users from inputting non-keyboard characters using Alt+nnnn on the numeric keypad.

That's why Opera has used a non-conflicting (albeit awkward) trigger for a long time, and (I assume) why Firefox switched to Shift+Alt instead of just Alt.

[felgall]

Yes, and numbers come with a disadvantage all of their own: it can prevent Windows users from inputting non-keyboard characters using Alt+nnnn on the numeric keypad.

That's why Opera has used a non-conflicting (albeit awkward) trigger for a long time, and (I assume) why Firefox switched to Shift+Alt instead of just Alt.

That's wy I said ALMOST ALWAYS. The numbers are the keys that interfere least with other computer functionality. In practice using accesskey just makes a site less accessible for at least some visitors which is why books on accessibility generally recommend not using it at all.

[AutisticCuckoo]

The numbers are the keys that interfere least with other computer functionality.

Well, at least other browser functionality.

In practice using accesskey just makes a site less accessible for at least some visitors which is why books on accessibility generally recommend not using it at all.

So does mine.

[Stomme poes]

I'd say computer functionality. Linux is always hijacking my alt key, can't even use it in Gimp properly, though Firefox does seem to be able to hog it if it's opened.

[AlexDawson]

It's a shame really, accessibility studies show that when accesskeys are available, disabled individuals make use of them regularly, but the problems with browser implementation has forced them to be abandoned because of the inconsistencies in how they are being deployed.

As a result I also agree with avoiding the use of accesskeys for those reasons mentioned above.

[Stomme poes]

Doesn't the BBC still use them though, with numbers? Also Sitepoint?

They seem more logical for sites an individual will visit regularly, because then it's worth it for the individual to learn the combinations to jump to where they want to go. So usually larger sites.

[AlexDawson]

Stomme, I know the BBC are starting to phase them out due to the problems they cause, though one thing I would put forward is that if people using assisted devices tend to stick to one browser (due to the learning difficulties and learning curve they may have changing over)... why would the combination matter... surely they would be well used to the combinations require to activate the key (all but the letter or number).

[Stomme poes]

Sure. BBC is also planning on phasing out Perl, due to fear of not getting enough programmers in the future (because the kids coming out of school these days, they ain't heard of no Perl...).
I remember Brandon saying he used at least some accesskeys here at SP. I wasn't even aware SP had any until then.