DAISY—Structure Guidelines: Elements, Block Elements, Information Object Sidebar
Information Object
Sidebar
Definition
A sidebar contains information supplementary to the main text and/or narrative flow that is positioned as if boxed and floating separate from the main text block. Sidebars may include a heading, followed by paragraphs, lists and other block-oriented elements. For sidebars of this type, use the attribute render=“optional”. The “render” attribute is required, and must have a value of either “optional” or “required.”
The <sidebar> tag may also be used to mark warnings, cautions, etc., that must not be skipped by the end user. When it is essential that a sidebar be read by an user, add the attribute render=“required”.
Optional sidebars can be turned on or off by the user. They can set their playback device to play all optional sidebars or to skip them all.
Syntax
<sidebar render="...">
<hd>...</hd>
<p>...</p>
</sidebar>
Example 1
<sidebar render="required">Danger: Never crawl under a car that is supported solely by a jack.</sidebar>
<p>To loosen the muffler, first jack up the car and put blocks under the frame...</p>
Example 2
<h2> Chocolate Stars</h2>
<list type="ul" class="ingredients">
<li>4 ounces cold unsalted butter</li>
<li>1/2 cup sugar</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
</list>
...
<sidebar render="optional">
<hd>Cocoa Powder News</hd>
<p>Amy uses a "full Dutch" process cocoa called "Jersey cocoa" that has 22 to 24 per cent fat and is available through the San Francisco based cookware chain Williams-Sonoma.</p>
</sidebar>