The search box needs to be clicked to be displayed; this is a bit painful. In particular, it is not possible to reach the search box through simple tabbing (i.e. hitting "tab"). It would be really nice if it was possible (possible as an option).

Best regards,
Joann

Can be done via skinning. Everyone has their own preference, so something like this has to be left to skinning (next person would come along and say "I wish the search box only displayed when you clicked the link/button").

Can be done via skinning. Everyone has their own preference, so something like this has to be left to skinning (next person would come along and say "I wish the search box only displayed when you clicked the link/button").

Making the search box available as a TextBox right away is an important usability guideline
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010513.html

The problem is not about skinning, it's about usability.

Joann

Setting aside the fact that this was written in 2001, long before "web 2.0" and the modern uses of javascript, ajax, hidden divs, and the like - while there is some good general information on that page, there isn't a need to have the box directly there over in a drop down.

You would like it that way, I respect that, it's your choice. What I'm suggesting is instead of changing how it works in the product, you are able to skin your site however you desire, including putting the text box directly in on the page output so users don't have to click once to see it. :)

Can be done via skinning. Everyone has their own preference, so something like this has to be left to skinning (next person would come along and say "I wish the search box only displayed when you clicked the link/button").

That next person is me. :lol: :P

Personally drop downs or tabs that "auto - open" is personally annoying. And unless you have a specific intent on visiting a site and looking for something 50% of the time you are not looking for the search button, your interested on whats on the page.

Its annoying when you scroll over something and it auto opens, I am speaking generally not IPB specific. I think its fine the way it is where you need to click it for it to be activated. As Bfarber said you can skin it so it opens w/ Ajax when you scroll over.

And plus even if it did that you would still need to click on the box inside to submit a query.

Well, fine.

Then for those who want a search box, I am posting the source code to be inserted in your board heard. The "trick" is the 'padding:0px' if you want the search box to fit into the navigation bar.

<div class='ipb-top-right-link' style='padding:0px'>
<form action="{$this->ipsclass->base_url}act=Search&amp;CODE=01" method="post">
<input type='hidden' name='forums' id='gbl-search-forums' value='all' />
<input type="text" size="20" name="keywords" id='ipb-tl-search-box' />
<input class="button" type="Submit" value="Search" />
<if="($this->ipsclass->input['act'] == 'sf' OR $this->ipsclass->input['act'] == 'st') AND $this->ipsclass->input['f']">
<input type='checkbox' id='gbl-search-checkbox' value='1' onclick='gbl_check_search_box()' checked='checked' /> {$this->ipsclass->lang['gbl_forum_search']}
</if>
</form>
</div>

Best regards,
Joannes
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