Writing Alt Tags

What is ethical procedure

[WebWurld]

If I am writing Alt tags for a specific image I know the rules specify that your Alt tag should accurately reflect what is in the image.

Does this mean in a physical sense or what the site owner is trying to say with the image.

For example, I am a provider of financial products and services.

The image on the page is a blurry shot of two sets of legs clearly belonging to a couple of business men carrying brief cases who are rushing to get somewhere.

The product in question is described in the text copy on the page as being the provider of services and benefits to make your life easier.

In my opinion, the image is telling me that the product caters for those with a busy lifestyle.

If I was using a screen reader and half way through describing this product the screenreader tells me there are "two pairs of legs running" I would be rather confused.

Surely the visual message the web designer is trying to get across is what should be used in the ALt text?

[caveman]

WebWurld, good question. We try to connect the description of an image to the goings on of the page or site on which it resides. Basically, we try to use an array of relavant kw's for our various images, but kw's that are in some way connected to, if not descriptive of, the image (or the image's reason for being). Hope that makes sense.

BTW, this is a universal approach we take, not limited to our thinking about MSN.

[WebWurld]

Thanks Caveman.