HTML5 and MathML: Internet Explorer 9 is Broken

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the support of MathML in HTML5, particularly focusing on the issues with Internet Explorer 9. Participants express concerns about the implications of broken MathML support for accessibility in STEM fields and education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that while HTML5 includes MathML and is supported by most browsers, Internet Explorer 9 has broken MathML support.
  • There are concerns that Microsoft may not address the MathML issue unless they recognize its importance to the STEM and education communities.
  • Accessibility issues are emphasized, particularly for blind and sight-impaired users who rely on MathML for screen readers.
  • MathJax is mentioned as a useful tool for rendering math, but some argue that it does not replace the need for native MathML support in browsers.
  • A participant reflects on the decline of Internet Explorer's compliance with web standards and expresses uncertainty about the future of browser compatibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of MathML support for accessibility and education, but there is disagreement on the effectiveness of alternatives like MathJax and uncertainty about Microsoft's response to the issue.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on Microsoft's plans for fixing the MathML support issue and the dependency on user advocacy to prompt action.

bobm
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I have some good news and some bad news.

First, the good news is HTML5 includes MathML and has been embraced by all browser vendors.

Now the bad news. MathML support is broken in IE9 and we see no evidence that Microsoft will fix this problem unless they are made to understand how important MathML support is to the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEM_fields" and education communities. MathML is also an important key to insuring math accessibility to the blind and sight-impaired, as well as those with certain learning disabilities.

While we applaud Microsoft for promising to support HTML5 with Internet Explorer 9, we hope you will join us in encouraging them to fix the small bug that is currently preventing MathML from working in HTML5 pages. Please publicize the issue with whatever resources you have: personal blogs, tweets, forum posts, comments on other people's blog posts, etc.

Read the whole story:http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/MathMLinHTML5.htm" .

Thanks,
Bob Mathews
 
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Yep, MathJax is an awesome piece of work for sure. However, if someone's blind, he (or she) will still be needing the HTML5+MathML support in IE9, or his screen reader won't read the math. Pages will not be accessible in HTML+CSS mode, even with MathJax.
 
bobm said:
I have some good news and some bad news.

First, the good news is HTML5 includes MathML and has been embraced by all browser vendors.

Now the bad news. MathML support is broken in IE9 and we see no evidence that Microsoft will fix this problem unless they are made to understand how important MathML support is to the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEM_fields" and education communities. MathML is also an important key to insuring math accessibility to the blind and sight-impaired, as well as those with certain learning disabilities.

While we applaud Microsoft for promising to support HTML5 with Internet Explorer 9, we hope you will join us in encouraging them to fix the small bug that is currently preventing MathML from working in HTML5 pages. Please publicize the issue with whatever resources you have: personal blogs, tweets, forum posts, comments on other people's blog posts, etc.

Read the whole story:http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/MathMLinHTML5.htm" .

Thanks,
Bob Mathews
As a developer, who has watched IE go from a leader to a last-place follower in terms of browser-compliance, I must say I don't know what I would do in a world where IE was compliant or otherwise non-buggy. I guess I could probably flip burgers...
 
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