[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Konqueror: why was handling of <Tab> key in HTML forms changed?
From:       Torsten Kasch <tk () CeBiTec ! Uni-Bielefeld ! DE>
Date:       2004-01-04 10:50:20
Message-ID: 200401041150.20883.tk () Genetik ! Uni-Bielefeld ! DE
[Download RAW message or body]

Hi,

[ I got no reply to the same question on kde-devel, so I hope this list is 
more appropriate? ]

Obviously, the handling of <TAB> keys for the completion list in input 
elements in HTML forms has changed; it isn't possible anymore to cycle 
through the list of completions with this key as in KDE 3.1.x. Only the down 
arrow key seems to perform this action now, while <TAB> jumps to the next 
form element (example: e-mail address input field on b.k.o).

It seems that this change was introduced with revision 1.254 of 
kdelibs/khtml/rendering/render_form.cpp, and I suspect this change was done 
itentionally. Since I was very used to the previous behaviour, I'm wondering 
what the reason for this change was and would like to vote to revert it 
because of the following reasons:

* consistency: all "similar" input widgets allow cycling through the history
  with the <Tab> key, among them Konqueror's location bar, the address fields
  in KMail's composer, all applications' main menus, etc.
* usability: IMHO it's a lot easier/quicker to cycle through the options with
  the left hand while keeping the right one near the <RETURN> key or on the
  mouse (for right-handed people, at least) instead of looking for the arrow
  keys which are just "too far away".

Sorry if I missed any previous discussion on this topic but I couldn't find 
any clue in the maling lists archive. Any explanations/pointers welcome.

cheers,
	Torsten

-- 
   Torsten Kasch                                  tk@CeBiTec.Uni-Bielefeld.DE
      Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) / BRF    Office: V6-151
      Bielefeld University                        Voice:  +49 521 106-4828
      D-33594 Bielefeld                           Fax:    +49 521 106-5626
_______________________________________________
kde-usability mailing list
kde-usability@mail.kde.org
https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-usability
[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]