Developing a Text-Version Script

Contributor Credit: Carlos - from the now closed CPSnet - 2004

Important Notice: This page makes extensive use of JavaScript as it shows the application of several functions developed for javascript-enabled browsers. If your browser does not support JavaScript, some or most of the features on this page will be unavailable. Please note: This page is deliberately not W3C HTML 4.0 or CSS2 valid.

What "Text transcoder", like that at UsableNet (LIFT Text Transcoder) does is linearize the page, i.e. remove any tables, disable any CSS style and/or stylesheet and toogle images OFF. So... if we have a way of having those scripts running in a painless way, we can have our own "text transcoder". Remember that this can help you through your AAA compliance... if you can not make a given page accessible, provide an alternative accessible version.

We have been developing such a script, still being coded in javascript (so not entirely accessible). This script consists of four main functions, described below, and it is based on the excellent NILS Accessibility Toolbar for Internet Explorer.

Function removeImages(): Unloads any image currently loaded. Does not apply to images used as background, if used my means of a CSS declaration like background-image. Works with: IE6, Firefox, Netscape7 (Win98SE).; Test removeImages() (notice the disappearing of the WA link button above); Follows code:
Function linearize(): Removes any table (linearizes the content of any table). Works with: IE6, Firefox, Opera7.23 (Win98SE); Test linearize() (remember that WebsAwards uses a single table for layout); Follows code:
Function disableInlineStyles(): Disables any inline CSS (used with <tag style="..."). Works with: IE6, Firefox, Netscape7, Opera7.23 (Win98SE); Test disableInlineStyles() (notice the change in the border color); Follows the code:
Function disableStyle(): Disables the externally linked stylesheet. Works with: IE6, Firefox, Netscape7, Opera7.23 (Win98SE); Test disableStyle(); Follows the code:

The steps to call this text transcoder

1. Add to the <head>:

2. Create a link in the page you want to "textualize":

When you click this link, the all page is converted to a text-only page... note, do not use the removeImages() if your pages do not have images (excluding background ones) in it. To reload all the styles applied, all you have to do is hit "Refresh" in your browser.

You can call all these functions by selecting the link "Text-Version" in this page's header. This will execute all the functions in the order they are displayed above. You can try for yourself, by clicking each of the test function links above, following the order.

This means that you may use some of the functions only. The full script call is done this way:

In order to use only one or some of the functions, you may use, for instance:

Download

If you find the script useful, you have our permission to use the script as it is now. You can download the textversion.js file at:

http://websawards.onzcda.com/textversion.js

Trademarks or registered trademarks

UsableNet(tm) and LIFT Text Transcoder are registered trademarks of UsableNet, a company specialized in developing systems and services for testing websites against accessibility and usability standards.