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@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
# xkcdbot
+First version 2022-11-29
+
+Updated 2023-10-22
+
![A Mastodon post with comic number, title, title text, xkcd.com URL and
explainxkcd URL; a reply below reads "Heads-up for my subscribers:" then
a bunch of users](img/xkcdbot/post.png)
@@ -66,3 +70,56 @@ comic.
I believe this resolves all remaining questions on this topic. No further
research is needed.
+
+## Update (2023-10-22)
+
+It turns out this does not resolve all remaining questions on this topic,
+and further research is needed.
+
+The problem is accessibility. On xkcd.com, if you hover your mouse on the
+comic, a tooltip shows up. This is known as "hover text" or "title text",
+which uses the "title" HTML attribute. In 2019 I wanted to create
+a similar experience, so I put it in the alt text.
+
+However it wasn't the intended purpose. The alt text is meant for:
+
+- A replacement when the image cannot be displayed
+- Assistive technology such as screen readers
+
+On the fediverse it's mostly the latter. Right now, the awesome [Sam
+Levine](https://botsin.space/@SRLevine@urbanists.social) is doing the
+noble work of replying to every post with a captioned version of the same
+comic.
+
+But it is a workaround. Around my reluctance to touch my rotten codebase,
+my incompetence as a developer, and my lack of interest to caption the
+comics myself. Whenever I post on my main handle, I make sure to caption
+my images and audio. But sadly xkcdbot cannot do that right now.
+
+> Why not?
+
+Because Randall doesn't caption comics when they are posted.
+
+> Can't you fetch the caption from explainxkcd?
+
+That might take hours before it's ready. Plus, caption might be incomplete
+and susceptible to vandals.
+
+> Just delay the post until the caption is ready!
+
+We don't know how long it will take. Also, I created the bot in order to
+read xkcd as soon as possible. I cannot accept the delay.
+
+> Just edit the post!
+
+I made the bot in 2019, when "edit" wasn't a thing. I _could_ make this
+feature right now, but I haven't touched my codebase for 4 years, and
+I don't use Node.js anymore.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Accessibility for a bot is not an easy task. It's not a tech problem; it's
+a matter of community. I admit I cannot solve it by myself. Therefore,
+I am going to ask for the community for help.
+
+To be continued.