All these years the Fediverse community has been extremely ableist toward the people with hearing loss. And other types of disabled people, such as Plan9 users who do not have a functioning audio output.
It's time to finally change it and we are instating a new set of rules for alt-text for audio files:
— for light music up to 4 minutes long: describe it in at least 2 paragraphs. If the song has lyrics, attach those. If the song has two vocalists or one vocalist, but posing as different characters using different manners of singing, please caption those in the lyrics. For hip-hop songs pay special attention if the rhythm is strong enough and if the bass is funky, if vocalist/MC has a lisp — please note that.
— for longer music pieces still in the sonata form — 3-4 paragraphs. For electronic music pay closer attention to the synth programming — are those any good or do they sound like a schoolkid with fruity loops did them, if even you could do better — note that. For rock music pay attention to guitars, do they sound clear or distorted, what kind of pedals and amps might have been used — how much all these equipment might cost in your opinion. Can the guitarist hit the right notes at all? Does the song have enough reverb or could it do better if there was more? If the song has cowbell, is there enough of it? If the longer song has lyrics and those are lame, present your thoughts on why the fuck did they make it this long and they can't even write good lyrics.
— for symphonic pieces — no need to overdo it, keep it in the 5-7 paragraph ballpark. Is the buildup all right or is it just generic Chopin shit? Is the finale/coda any good or is it anticlimactic? For opera pieces present a short-form libretto  if you can't do this stuff yourself, look it up online — don't be a lazy ass! If you are a big fan of Pierre Boulez and his music and this shit still doesn't make any sense — note that. For longer electronic music and stoner-rock/psychedelic pieces, describe the images this music evokes in your mind: when you're sober and when you are on mushrooms — please try to keep it under 3 paragraphs.
New rules are in effect immediately starting now!
Signed, The Fediverse Council.
#fedi #a11y (whoever she is)
It's time to finally change it and we are instating a new set of rules for alt-text for audio files:
— for light music up to 4 minutes long: describe it in at least 2 paragraphs. If the song has lyrics, attach those. If the song has two vocalists or one vocalist, but posing as different characters using different manners of singing, please caption those in the lyrics. For hip-hop songs pay special attention if the rhythm is strong enough and if the bass is funky, if vocalist/MC has a lisp — please note that.
— for longer music pieces still in the sonata form — 3-4 paragraphs. For electronic music pay closer attention to the synth programming — are those any good or do they sound like a schoolkid with fruity loops did them, if even you could do better — note that. For rock music pay attention to guitars, do they sound clear or distorted, what kind of pedals and amps might have been used — how much all these equipment might cost in your opinion. Can the guitarist hit the right notes at all? Does the song have enough reverb or could it do better if there was more? If the song has cowbell, is there enough of it? If the longer song has lyrics and those are lame, present your thoughts on why the fuck did they make it this long and they can't even write good lyrics.
— for symphonic pieces — no need to overdo it, keep it in the 5-7 paragraph ballpark. Is the buildup all right or is it just generic Chopin shit? Is the finale/coda any good or is it anticlimactic? For opera pieces present a short-form libretto  if you can't do this stuff yourself, look it up online — don't be a lazy ass! If you are a big fan of Pierre Boulez and his music and this shit still doesn't make any sense — note that. For longer electronic music and stoner-rock/psychedelic pieces, describe the images this music evokes in your mind: when you're sober and when you are on mushrooms — please try to keep it under 3 paragraphs.
New rules are in effect immediately starting now!
Signed, The Fediverse Council.
#fedi #a11y (whoever she is)
Looking back on this conversation, I think I meant that alt-text for audio is a good idea. Just not the rest of the joke.
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@NeoCat
I haven't read it in full yet, but I noticed it to be surprisingly detailed — few in these parts of Fedi write long alt texts… or rather write them at all
I haven't read it in full yet, but I noticed it to be surprisingly detailed — few in these parts of Fedi write long alt texts… or rather write them at all
@m0xEE Well alt text only is meant to describe it in one or two sentences. It was never meant for this insanity.
@NeoCat
Some care to describe what the colour the frame of the glasses on their desk is — even if it's a photo of a cat sitting on said desk. If a visually impaired person gets interested in my photo, they'd probably ask me and I would gladly describe it for them in greater detail — but when it's a post no one's interested in, it's just a waste of time.
Not filling alt text is another extreme — I often use TUI software to browse Fedi and I know that if the whole post is just "489765329876983.jpg" — I would never care to view it even if it's one keypress away, because… why?!
Like you said 1-2 sentences is perfect, that is what I usually do myself.
Some care to describe what the colour the frame of the glasses on their desk is — even if it's a photo of a cat sitting on said desk. If a visually impaired person gets interested in my photo, they'd probably ask me and I would gladly describe it for them in greater detail — but when it's a post no one's interested in, it's just a waste of time.
Not filling alt text is another extreme — I often use TUI software to browse Fedi and I know that if the whole post is just "489765329876983.jpg" — I would never care to view it even if it's one keypress away, because… why?!
Like you said 1-2 sentences is perfect, that is what I usually do myself.
@m0xEE I assume on fedi, either 1) The post won't ever be seen. 2) If seen, it's just troll/woke propoganda.
In either case. Alt Text isn't needed.
Where it is needed. The audience is so small. It'll either have 1-5 views.
However, if you have a large, existing following. Alt text becomes a more reasonable request.
If what you're saying is that you personally a visually impaired. I apologise. My posts have all been over the top jokes. That took way too much effort. Don't read the alt text. And, I wouldn't bother viewing the media I posted. It was for a laugh at the concept of spending an hour on alt text on fedi..
In either case. Alt Text isn't needed.
Where it is needed. The audience is so small. It'll either have 1-5 views.
However, if you have a large, existing following. Alt text becomes a more reasonable request.
If what you're saying is that you personally a visually impaired. I apologise. My posts have all been over the top jokes. That took way too much effort. Don't read the alt text. And, I wouldn't bother viewing the media I posted. It was for a laugh at the concept of spending an hour on alt text on fedi..
@m0xEE Specific too the number jpg. It happens a lot in software editing programs on phones. If I edit a video or a image. It invariably gets exported with 34598743.jpg and given how long I spend making things. By the time it gets to upload, I'm usually exhausted. Alt tex and the image name are usually the last thing on my mind at that point.
You have some good points. I would use alt text in context where I seriously thought anyone would see the content.
You have some good points. I would use alt text in context where I seriously thought anyone would see the content.
@NeoCat
Don't worry, I have perfect eyesight! I get that it's a joke. My opening post is also sarcastic, I don't think it's offensive. Visually and hearing impaired people do exist and they are on Fedi, it's great to respect that, but making everyone jump through hundreds of hoops like some do — just in case one of them comes across your post is excessive of course.
Balanced approach is the best!
Don't worry, I have perfect eyesight! I get that it's a joke. My opening post is also sarcastic, I don't think it's offensive. Visually and hearing impaired people do exist and they are on Fedi, it's great to respect that, but making everyone jump through hundreds of hoops like some do — just in case one of them comes across your post is excessive of course.
Balanced approach is the best!
@NeoCat
I like TUI software 🤩
(and REALLY old computers 🤫)
I think Firefox is about the only GUI thing I use — and occasionally LibreOffice and GIMP. TUI software is great: profanity and gomuks for messaging, mutt for email, newsboat for RSS, amfora for Gemini and Chawan or w3m for lightweight web browsing, cmus for music… Well, mpv does have a video output window, but it's GUI is minimal, you mostly control it with keyboard (or a socket — I have a web-based remote I use on my phone). Once you get used to all this, it's quite comfy — and lightweight, I get great battery life even on decade old hardware!
It's not even as bad as it might sound, for example here's tut: https://breloma.m0xee.net/notice/AeN5DBuyk5nlmqa3yC
I've patched it to use colour emojis and I think it looks quite nice!
I like TUI software 🤩
(and REALLY old computers 🤫)
I think Firefox is about the only GUI thing I use — and occasionally LibreOffice and GIMP. TUI software is great: profanity and gomuks for messaging, mutt for email, newsboat for RSS, amfora for Gemini and Chawan or w3m for lightweight web browsing, cmus for music… Well, mpv does have a video output window, but it's GUI is minimal, you mostly control it with keyboard (or a socket — I have a web-based remote I use on my phone). Once you get used to all this, it's quite comfy — and lightweight, I get great battery life even on decade old hardware!
It's not even as bad as it might sound, for example here's tut: https://breloma.m0xee.net/notice/AeN5DBuyk5nlmqa3yC
I've patched it to use colour emojis and I think it looks quite nice!
@m0xEE Neat. I wasn't sure if I was about to be jumped by a mob of angry blind people. Who end up beating eachother up. :) Because, I left the room.
Glad my stupid jokes weren't confused for maliciousness, or seriousness.
Glad my stupid jokes weren't confused for maliciousness, or seriousness.