By the way, I've noticed that with each passing year I find it harder and harder to detect and correct jargon in my chosen field. As I become more knowledgeable I become less critical: I can understand my colleagues even if they speak pure jargon, so I have to actually think harder about how to translate into plain language.

HTML Techniques

There are a number of other features built in to the most common Web page development language - HTML - that can help with plain language. I am going to have to use a bit of jargon here.

Alternative text

If you have a Web site, you probably have some pictures, drawings or other graphics on some pages, possibly for marketing purposes, possibly for visual appeal, possibly as helpful visual aids (e.g. icons, link-buttons, etc.). There is a feature in the language that allows you to briefly describe, in text, the meaning or intent of each image. [Example] People who can't see, or who can't understand an image can read this description instead. Of course the textual description only show up if you ask the browser to display it. In fact the most recent international standards for Web languages all require this alternative text to be supplied, all the time.

Long descriptions

Sometimes, an image may be too complex to describe in just a few words... think of a picture of 3-dimensional bar graph in a report describing your company's sales of ice-cube trays [Example]. It may benefit more than just a blind person to have the intent of this image described in some detail. A feature of HTML allows you to link to a separate document that contains the long description. This means you don't have to clutter up your main page with explanations that not everyone might want. Again, the display of this extra page is optional.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

One of my biggest gripes, especially when looking at Government sites is their aggressive and annoying use of acronyms and abbreviations. Many of my government colleagues can talk at length without actually using real words. Unfortunately, this habit often appears in their writing as well. If I know what "ADIO" or "ComFlanSync" means, then anyone listening to me must know it as well. HTML gives you the ability to use acronyms and abbreviations and provide the expanded versions as well. The expansion is only seen if you ask the browser to show it to you.