[whatwg] small element should allow nested elements

[Remy Sharp]

I should add, another argument for using small to wrap, is that  
without it, on a list element, the numerals in the list are larger  
than the the small print text - because the small element is on the  
inner HTML rather than the entire element (which does effect the  
numeric bullets too).

Remy Sharp

On 7 Aug 2009, at 14:19, Remy Sharp wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I know Bruce Lawson has mentioned that this has been brought up  
> before, but I couldn't find it in the archives (searching "small"),  
> so I'd like to bring it up again.
>
> The HTML 5 spec says:
>
> "Small print typically features disclaimers, caveats, legal  
> restrictions, or copyrights. Small print is also sometimes used for  
> attribution, or for satisfying licensing requirements."
>
> http://www.whatwg.org/specs/web-apps/current-work/multipage/text-level-semantics.html#the-small-element
>
> So I'm making a list of disclaimers for my site:
>
> <ol>
>  <li>You must agree to this term</li>
>  <li>And this term too</li>
>  <li>And don't break this term</li>
>  <li>And don't forget the milk</li>
> </ol>
> <p>By reading this, you're agreeing to xyz</p>
>
> To make this valid, and small print text, I need to individually  
> wrap the inner HTML of each inline element (li and p elements).   
> This is wasteful and very much like the situation that we had with  
> the a element when we wanted the whole block to be clickable.
>
> When I wrap *everything* in the small element (as seen here: http://jsbin.com/okevo 
>  ) all the browsers I've tested it in renders the text as I would  
> expect, but it doesn't validate against the HTML 5 parsing rules (as  
> you'd expect).
>
> If this element is truly for disclaimers, caveats and restrictions,  
> and not stylistically making something small, then it will be  
> typically used on blocks of content, be it a single line or multiple  
> paragraphs.  As such, it seems sensible to say that the small  
> element can have nested block elements within it.
>
> Here's the list of the compatible browsers (I could have done more  
> browsers, but I think this test with 10 proves the support is solid):
>
> http://leftlogic.litmusapp.com/pub/a5fa8ed
>
> <small>At time of writing, the last test is still being generated,  
> but I've tested Firefox 3.5 manually and it passes</small> ;-)
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Remy Sharp
> Left Logic
>
> ___________________________
>
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>
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> http://2009.full-frontal.org
>