Alt text:
Sequoia Brussels sprouts are delicious but it's pretty hard to finish one.
this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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xkcd
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The alt text is wrong, isn't it?
In this case, it's not really on OP; that's what Randall puts in the xkcd alt text. There is a transcription for each comic on explainxkcd that ppl could copy to the post though
Regardless of the other comment, you're right, the alt text is wrong. Alt text is used by visually impaired users to understand what the image is about and is not the place to put the title of the XKCD.
It's not the title, but rather a sort of "bonus joke" that pops up when you hover a cursor over the image (or long press on mobile I think). It's a staple of xkcd and other webcomics, but I'll grant that it does present some confusion for those who rely on alt text.
I for one appreciated that being in the post so I didn't need to click thru for the bonus joke as I usually would. Perhaps it's just better to call it something other than alt text.
Yes, it's a pretty obvious riff on the main joke, i.e. entertaining the idea that Brassica sequoia is a real thing, based on the fact that brussels sprouts, like cauliflower, collards, kohlrabi, cabbage and others, are all cultivars of B. oleracea.
If you didn't know that last bit, I can see getting confused about the alt-text.
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The point is that it's not an alt text. Also I was quite tired when writing my first comment
Oh, I see what you mean! So strictly speaking, alt-text should be used for the intended purpose, i.e. in order to help certain users and searches, etc.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I suspect most webcomics makers, and no doubt others, are going to keep using it the way they are. I'm not sure there's a real issue in this case, but maybe in others..
From what I have seen, alt text describes the image for blind people or for the case that the image isn't loading
Whooooosh
Alt texts have a purpose. Some people are dependent on them. But sure, make fun of me for caring, go ahead.
You are right, but for xkcd it's a concept to have a second joke in the alt text since forever. There used to be a transcript of all comics right on the site available for those that need it, but it has been discontinued, probably in favor of explainxkcd.com, where you'll still find a transcript for every comic.
Thanks! I didn't know that