ugly dotted line (NEW PROBLEM)

Hi,

I have several pages that use mapped images to control layer visibility.
In IE on windows I have used window.focus() to remove the dotted line
around the mapped hotspot (also for for linked image buttons in a framed
toolbar, etc.). I just started testing my pages in IE 5 (Macintosh). One of
the new features of this browser is the line around the hotspots or any
other region which has the focus.

window.focus() does not work in IE 5 (Mac). Neither does top.focus(),
parent.focus(), parent.MenuFrame.focus(), etc. The only way can get rid of
the dotted line is to place a form element on the page with the following
restrictions:

If the form element (radio button) is in a hidden layer (hidden element
type does not work), it will not take the focus.

If the layer is visible, but under another layer, when the form element is
given the focus, the outline appears above all other layers.

Sending the focus to the form element and immediately blurring the element
works with minimal flicker of the line. In fact, just using
formname.formelement.blur() works without initially sending the focus to
the form element (works with a hidden layer too and know flicker).

While writing this e-mail, I just discovered that replacing window.focus()
with this.blur() works. For some reason, however, I seem to recall getting
some errors in the past with Windows when I tried to use the blur() method
instead of refocusing. I'll see if I can find my old notes on the problem.

BTW - the lines around the mapped areas in IE (Mac) are not the annoying
dotted lines from Windows, they are hideous thick solid lines (purple,
blue, green, or whatever silly Mac color the browser is set to).

Jim

James E. Coffield, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Center for Educational Technologies
Wheeling Jesuit University
316 Washington Avenue
Wheeling, WV  26003
Phone (304) 243-2469      Fax: 304-243-2497
WWW address:  http://www.cet.edu/
email: coffield(at)cet.edu

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