[Sigia-l] DHTML Menus and HTML Widgets

[robert.dornbush at ps.ge.com]

I, as IA working with one other team member [designer/HTML developer] have
encountered this problem...and the HTML developer who solved it ended up
replacing the former HTML developer who lost his job over this and other
related DHTML issues.

1) do not use the traditional HTML form element "dropdown listbox" because
it is a "rogue" form element whose z-index [layer value] will not behave
properly in response to the showHide layers script [which calls for the
Global Nav menu dropdowns to appear above the background HTML content].

2) replace all HTML listbox form elements with custom built tables disguised
as (which look and perform as) dropdown listboxes.  These table form
dropdowns will behave properly in response to the showHide script.

3) If your navigation schema relies heavily on DHTML dropdowns from the
horizontal (topline) Global Navigation bar [and this is a perfectly
acceptable of giving a web application a more robust functionality set,
similar to a traditional desktop application] be very wary of an HTML
developer / web designer who does not know how to write his/her own custom
Java scripts. There are many "free" Java scripts available for download at
sources like macromedia.com and brainjar.com...but the developer must be
able to edit the script to remove unnecessary lines of code...tailor it,
make it their own...else seemingly fabulous HTML Web Designers can bring
down the house of a web-app's front-end architecture by cutting and pasting
Java scripts that they don't understand the entire functionality of.

as always, the IA must remember the motto 'Caveat Emptor' or in this case
'Architect Beware'

Robert E. Dornbush, Jr.
UI Architect / Interaction Designer
GE Power Systems
robert.dornbush at ps.ge.com
uiarchitect at earthlink.net
desk - 678 844 4625
cell - 404 729 1137

"Ceci n'est pas une pipe"
 - Rene Magritte (1898-1967)