To Use Javascript Or Not?

[ramone_kalsaw]

I need to add a drop-down menu on my blog, and I have the choice to use a "jump menu" -- enabled by JavaScript -- or the more 'traditonal' SUBMIT button method.

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with how many users have selected -- or not de-selected -- "enable JavaScript" on their browsers, and as a result, how good a user experience do "jump menus" provide?

 

Also: if I did go with a javascript "jump menu," what's the user experience for the user who has disabled javascript? Are they just stranded in that case?

 

Thanks for your feedback!

 

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From http://www.quackit.com/javascript/javascri...opdown_menu.cfm

 

JavaScript Dropdown Menu

Dropdown menus like this are sometimes referred to as a "Jump menu". This is because it "jumps" to the selected URL as soon as you make the selection. (Other drop down menus require you to click on a "go" button after you've made your selection - which is the safe way to go if you're worried about users who don't have JavaScript enabled).

[LisaJill]

I believe the current stats are quoted around 15% of people have disabled javascript. I do not know if that includes people with disabilities that use screen readers, etc etc.

 

The proper accessibility for this, if you must have the drop down, is to have the drop down as well as major text links (often along the bottom, so I've seen) - but some scripts ofter a "<noscript>...</noscript>" option which can get arounod it.

 

But yes, if yo uonly offer the js option and it's disabled - they can't navigate to wherever that navigation would go.

[MoonFaery]

I've found a few non-java script drop down menu generators on the web that work awesome. They work through html form tags and you can choose whether or not to have a go button

[TCH-Bruce]

I've found a few non-java script drop down menu generators on the web that work awesome. They work through html form tags and you can choose whether or not to have a go button

Can you provide more information? Links?

[MoonFaery]

I found one a few weeks ago that was "ok," but I don't have the link to that one anymore. This one that I do have the link to I think is much better. It lets you work with the font style, size, color, button background, and lets you change what you want on your button if you decide to have some sort of "go" button.

 

http://www.htmlbasix.com/dropmenu.shtml

 

I looked at the coding and I see no sort of JS in it. I usually generate a code for just a few links, then add them as I go when I have it in my html