HTML 3.0 Admonishments (NOTE)

The NOTE element was an example of HTML 3.0's failed attempt to get more content-based elements into use, rather than presentational elements like BLINK. NOTE is used to mark really important things that you don't want your readers to miss.

What The HTML 3.0 Specifications Say

   Permitted Context: %body.content, %flow, %block
   Content Model: %body.content 

   The NOTE element is designed for use as admonishments such as notes,
   cautions or warnings, as commonly used in technical documentation.
   The CLASS attribute specifies the type of the element and is
   typically associated with different graphics such as a road traffic
   warning sign. The graphic can be customized with the SRC attribute. 

   Example: 

       <NOTE CLASS=WARNING>Please check with the local weather
       service before starting your climb. The mountain weather
       is subject to rapid deterioration. It is essential to
       carry a good map and compass.</NOTE>

   The class names: NOTE, CAUTION and WARNING are recommended for
   standard admonishments. In the absence of the CLASS attribute, a
   NOTE element is typically rendered indented, without an accompanying
   graphic. 

Compatibility Issues

Level 2 HTML browsers do not recognize NOTE as a block-like element; such browsers won't properly contain the text, allowing it to slide into nearby paragraphs.

Recommended Solutions

Just make sure that a P is nested inside the NOTE to contain text for Level 2 browsers. There's still no way to ensure that readers of Level 2 browsers will notice the importance of notes, but you can always make the text italic, boldfaced, blinking, etc.

Advanced Issues

Early drafts of the HTML 3.0 specification allowed a CLASS=FOOTNOTE, in lieu of an independent FOOTNOTE element. Do not use CLASS=FOOTNOTE -- nobody supports that except Emacs/W3.

Future Implementations & Alternative

NOTE has not been included in any version of HTML since HTML 3.0. If you want your readers to notice something important, you're on your own.

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