Meaning: The quote by Joe Clark highlights the challenges and limitations in creating closed captions for media players. The term "authoring tools" refers to software programs used to create and edit digital content, including closed captions for videos and other media. Clark's assertion that these authoring tools are "terrible" suggests that they are not effective or user-friendly for the task of creating closed captions.

One of the key issues identified in the quote is the lack of software capable of creating closed captions for media players. Closed captions are essential for ensuring accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for providing language support for non-native speakers. However, the absence of adequate software tools to generate these captions presents a significant barrier in making digital content inclusive and accessible to all audiences.

Additionally, Clark criticizes the lack of training available for creating closed captions. This points to the broader issue of a skills gap in the field of closed captioning and accessibility. Without proper training and education on the best practices for creating high-quality closed captions, content creators may struggle to produce captions that effectively convey the intended message and provide a seamless viewing experience for all audiences.

The reference to TV captioning being "bad enough" indicates that the challenges in closed captioning extend beyond digital media. While TV captioning has been a longstanding practice, the quality and accuracy of captions on television programs have often been criticized. The quote suggests that the situation is even more problematic in the context of digital media, where the quality of closed captions is generally perceived to be worse.

Joe Clark, the author of the quote, is a notable figure in the field of web accessibility and closed captioning. As a scientist, his perspective on the challenges of creating closed captions for media players carries weight and reflects the experiences of many professionals working in the realm of digital accessibility.

In response to the issues raised in the quote, there is a growing awareness of the importance of closed captioning and the need for improved authoring tools and training resources. Efforts are being made to develop more advanced software solutions that streamline the process of creating and editing closed captions for digital media. These tools aim to address the shortcomings identified by Clark and provide content creators with the means to produce high-quality captions more efficiently.

Furthermore, initiatives focused on education and training in closed captioning have emerged to equip individuals with the necessary skills to produce accurate and effective captions. Training programs and resources are designed to educate content creators, video producers, and other professionals on the best practices for creating accessible content, including closed captions.

In conclusion, Joe Clark's quote sheds light on the challenges and deficiencies in creating closed captions for media players. The absence of effective authoring tools, coupled with the lack of training, has contributed to the subpar quality of closed captions in digital media. However, efforts are underway to address these issues and improve the accessibility and inclusivity of digital content through advancements in software tools and education in closed captioning.