Variable-Width Drop-Down Menu Idea...

[perpetualjon]

First of all, this theme is the best WP theme in the whole-wide world!! I'd like to see this become a feature if at all possible but at this point, I'd like to consider it a suggestion for the future:

Would it be possible to create a "variable-width" version of the existing drop-down menu similar to this site:

http://www.logmein.com

From what I've tried, this site's drop-down menu is not using Javascript as I've tried disabling JS in my browser and the drop-down menu still works. I personally don't know how this would be pulled-off but I think it would be a great addition to this theme...

[sayontan]

Well, the menu does use JS, but there is a CSS backup. So if JS is disabled the menu will still work, with the exception being older versions of IE if I recall correctly.

I did try incorporating this feature earlier but there were some problems. I might attempt it again, when I have ample free time on my hands, which is not likely to be any time soon.

[perpetualjon]

I did manage to find a couple of articles on the subject here:

Here's a page with a pure CSS drop-down menu with variable widths:
http://www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk/articles/css_menus.html

Here's a couple of Stu Nicholls samples of variable width menu systems:
http://www.cssplay.co.uk/menus/pro_variable4.html
http://www.cssplay.co.uk/menus/variable_dl.html

I might be able to decipher how to change the CSS myself but I think it may benefit the entire community if the theme itself is modified for this feature. This way, no one will need to worry about adjusting the drop-down menu widths if there is a variance in the menu item...

[perpetualjon]

Well, the menu does use JS, but there is a CSS backup. So if JS is disabled the menu will still work, with the exception being older versions of IE if I recall correctly.

Oh wow! I had no idea!! Well if the CSS backup works, why not use it exclusively? Are there features in JS that make it necessary still?

[sayontan]

I did base my menus originally off the CSSplay site, but they are somewhat buggy. I remember tearing out a lot of hair around release 2.6 or so due to that. Eventually I followed a much more rigorous menu implementation based on Ruthsarian Layouts, which really covered all use cases much better. I still have some elements of the original left in, but I got rid of a lot of its concepts.

I distinctly remember putting in an effort to support a fluid width drop-down but I did face difficulties (can't recall what). The fact is, the theme remains a hobby for me, and I don't feel inclined to go out of the way to add a new feature unless I feel I can do it quickly and/or satisfactorily. Menus are extremely tough to debug; in fact, of all pieces on the site, they are the toughest to get right. As I mentioned, I can look into this, but I have no plans to do so for the next few months at least.

Regarding the CSS vs JS question, the JS feature offers the capability to delay the drop-down and to fade it in, somewhat like a "hover intent" functionality. It was added based on requests from some users. Originally the menus were CSS-only and used to work across all browsers, but with the JS version in place I was compelled to break some functionality for the CSS-only menus in IE6.

[perpetualjon]

Very interesting! I had a feeling the menu system was quite a problem. The truth is that I initially picked this theme JUST for the fact that these menus worked with JS disabled (and worked in my Blackberry browser). I have to say, I am most impressed to say the least that you are running BOTH systems! Well, if you get a moment, in the near future, it's definitely a feature I'd love to see myself.

As you're working this as a hobby, I totally understand. I'm quite happy with what I have so adding a variable width will surely be a luxury! Lastly, I'd like you to add this page to your library for future research on the drop-down menu system:

http://www.grc.com/menu2/invitro.htm

This guy inspired me to look for a purely CSS menu system in the first place --and I really see the value in this. Anyways, maybe some of the code development he's done can help out somewhat. It's a little beyond my abilities!!