Keep in mind that the "alt" tag is read by alternative readers as a representation on WHAT the image is; you know, blind people can't see so how are they to know what the image is?
that would be fine, except that the vast majority of graphics images in this case -- probably in excess of 95% -- are just visual design elements, like shade lines and single pixel gifs. they aren't actually "informational" graphics or photos, and are thus not very useful to blind people or to people using non-graphical browsers.
IMESHO the ALT attribute should have been made non-compulsory for this reason.
but nonetheless, it would be nice -- but not essential -- if version 7 was w3c compliant, if at all possible.
