MouseDown behavior

[cursor]

To understand mousedown behavior in a simplistic dropdown menu, I created a small model. (See attached .web file.)

• All buttons and dropdowns have 1) mouseOff, 2) mouseOver, and 3) mouseDown states
• All links = javascript:;

I note the following behaviors:

• The button 2 (no dropdown) can be pressed any number of times and the mouseDown state functions properly.
• The button 1 (with dropdown) can be pressed exactly once and the mouseDown state functions properly. If I press the button multiple times, with the cursor in exactly the same position (no hand/mouse movement), only the first click behaves as expected. If I press button 2 multiple times, but ensure that the cursor moves before each click (even if only slightly), then the mouseDown function works properly.

Why does button 2 (on popup layer 'btn1') behave differently?
What are your observations?

[Ross Macintosh]

I see the behavior you are highlighting and I don't understand the difference either. That said, in the real world (the real 'virtual' world of the internet ) your users are unlikely to experience the anomoly. No? It seems unlikely that folks will keep a mouse stationary and click, click, click...

It is indeed a curious behaviour and probably worth bringing in case it relates to some unintentional bug.

Regards, Ross

[aridzone]

I've noticed this behavior before. You have to move the cursor on the button to make it work. But why would anyone be clicking on button 1 wouldn't they be clicking on 1A 1B or 1C?

[cursor]

I understand that it may not matter in the least to a user, but thought it would be 1) personally interesting to know why, and 2) to inform the developers that there is, at least, an apparent behavioral inconsistency.

covoxer?

[covoxer]

That's because after click the popup layer is closed. As you still over the button1 it's immediately popped up again but you don't trigger mouseover state to the button1 object placed on the popup layer.
Try attached design instead.

[cursor]

Thanks, John, for explaining how it works and for offering an alternative solution.