Why doesn't Firefox's quick find (/) work on this link?

KenJackson · 10-18-2010, 10:13 PM

I routinely use Firefox's quick find feature. I press the slash key, /, type what I want to find on the page and it searches as I type. I love it. It's very convenient.

But it doesn't work anywhere on this page.

Why?

sag47 · 10-18-2010, 10:25 PM

It must use keys on your keyboard as shortcuts for something JavaScript related. It is preventing the default key action by using JavaScript.

If you disable JavaScript then you will see that / works once again (I used noscript to disable it but you can go into FF preferences).

I'll post a code sample if you want to see the functionality in action...

sag47 · 10-18-2010, 10:31 PM

I found your problem to be with the following file in their source code...
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.c...s/mainframe.js

It is using the preventDefault() function to cancel FF default keys.

KenJackson · 10-18-2010, 10:31 PM

Ah! Indeed, turning off Javascript makes the slash work again.

What a colossal bother! Thanks.

sag47 · 10-18-2010, 10:44 PM

Maybe switching to vimperator for FF will solve your woes.

KenJackson · 10-18-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sag47

Maybe switching to vimperator for FF will solve your woes.

Oh grief! That would be too much like using vi.

I noticed Conkeror a while ago that makes FF look like emacs, but I never got around to trying it. And I don't think I need it. The slash key is used for searching in lots of software, and I've been using it and CTRL-G in FF long enough that it seems natural.