[Laszlo-user] Proposal to change 'clickability' behavior of selectable <text> and <inputtext> when behind a partially transparent view

[P T Withington]

We're asking for community feedback on a feature that we can support  
in swf8 and swf9 platforms, but cannot support on DHTML.

On swf-based platforms, any view can be 'clickable' or not.  Views  
that are not 'clickable' do not intercept mouse gestures at all.  Even  
if a clickable view is completely covered by a non-clickable view, you  
can still click through the non-clickable view to manipulate the  
clickable view.  (Obviously, the view in front needs to be at least  
partially transparent for you to be able to see what you are actually  
manipulating).

DHTML has a different model of clickability.  In DHTML, clicks will be  
passed from children up to parents, if the children do not handle  
them; but they are not passed to unrelated views that are behind other  
views.

Since LZX originated on the swf platform, we have tried to maintain  
the swf-based clickability model on the DHTML platform, and it works  
for all views _except_ for one corner case (the subject case:  
selectable <text> or <inputtext> behind a partially transparent  
view).  We have tried to develop a work-around for this case, but it  
results in visual artifacts (like the text appearing to 'bleed  
through' the view in front).

We feel the only choice in this case is to document the more limited  
semantics that will be available on all platforms -- that is, to not  
support clicking through partially transparent views to selectable  
<text> or <inputtext> elements.

We'd appreciate your opinions, and to know whether or not this would  
affect your applications.

P T Withington
OpenLaszlo.ORG/Laszlo Systems