How do I modify the nice titles javascript?

August 9, 2003 11:10 AM

How are the blue pop-ups (as in y2karl's posts) made?
I'd like to borrow the idea for a web page. I found the nice title web site, but I'd like to change a few things and I don't know how. The java script looks intimidating. I don't want the URL to be displayed, no transparency, and I'd like rounded corners as seen on MeFi.
posted by Termite to Feature Requests at 11:10 AM (24 comments total)

Anyone explaining this will be doing me a great favour!
What I'd really like to do is to use this feature in articles, as a kind of footnote. Point at a boldface word and get an explanation, a comment, etc.
posted by Termite at 11:16 AM on August 9, 2003

There's a title attribute on the anchor tag, which can be used in MeFi to come up with a slick popup.

It can be done by copying and pasting this:
<a href="http://example.com" title="This is what goes into the popup">a link</a>

Note that Matt has the nicetitles as an option in a user's customization page, so not all users will see the pretty popups. Also note that I don't think you can really adjust their properties in any real way.
posted by bshort at 11:47 AM on August 9, 2003

Right, if it's for a web page besides metafilter, go for it, but don't plan on using the blue transparent titley things as a gimmick for a post on metafilter proper, since so many people (like m'self) turned them off the minute we had the option to.

But the properties have to be adjustable in some way, bshort, right? At least by the web master. Because at one point I think Matt altered the transparency after someone complained. I don't know all this fancy web design stuff.. frankly I don't trust it neither!
posted by Hildago at 12:07 PM on August 9, 2003

I should have expressed myself better! I'm not planning to use this feature here at MeFi, but in articles in a web magazine that I run, the way footnotes are used in printed journals. It's easy to grab the code from this page, but I'd like to tweak it, like Matt has done for MeFi, and I don't know how.
posted by Termite at 12:18 PM on August 9, 2003

I can't find my car keys.

Did you see them?
posted by matteo at 12:24 PM on August 9, 2003

Hildago: Yep, the properties are totally adjustable, just not by the likes of you or I. (As far as I know.)

Termite: Well, have you picked up any sort of HTML tutorials? I'd start there, and then once you're comfortable, move on to basic Javascript.

Its all pretty straightforward, and there's lots and lots of books and tutorials out there.
posted by bshort at 12:34 PM on August 9, 2003

My suggestion would be to learn how to do some java scripting or pay somebody to do it for you. Or, perhaps, go to a forum dedicated to technical support or java and see if somebody there will help you out. I know the urge to ask the mostly nice, mostly intelligent people at metafilter for help is at times overwhelming, but imaging this place if everyone was looking for some advice or help.

Dear Dr. Haughey, I've got a nagging groin injury that I suffered during a doubles match down at the Games of the White Establishment Gold and Tennis Club in Dorchester. My friend One-Eyed Lou said rubbing peanut butter from my groin to my taint will alleviate the distress and put me back on my game, both at the club and in the sack. Will rubbing peanut butter on it really help, or is my friend--who also happens to be a scoundrel and a knave--actually help?
posted by The God Complex at 12:53 PM on August 9, 2003

the preceding letter from a miscreant who can neither spell nor properly spellcheck after mid-sentence corrections have been made. obviously intentional for that just-out-of-bed lush effect. carry on.
posted by The God Complex at 12:55 PM on August 9, 2003

they are crafted in Hell by one of Beelzebub's lesser minions.
posted by crunchland at 1:21 PM on August 9, 2003

In addition to grabbing the JavaScript, you need certain parts of MetaFilter's stylesheet. That's where you can tweak the appearance.
posted by hyperizer at 2:17 PM on August 9, 2003

Keep in mind as well, Termite, that they don't show up in all browsers, so you might want to include another way of viewing them.
posted by arto at 2:48 PM on August 9, 2003

they don't show up in all browsers

Or tell the lusers to blow it out their a55es.
posted by billsaysthis at 5:46 PM on August 9, 2003

Now, now, billsaysthis. Don't make me remind you that you speak as a representative of the 14K metafilter user group, and that in general we prefer to be thought of as more tolerant (in addition to better looking & funnier). Try and maintain a standard, sir.
posted by jonson at 11:03 PM on August 9, 2003

maintain a standard

Really! It's spelled 'a55e5', dammit! ;-P
posted by mischief at 1:24 AM on August 10, 2003

imaging this place if everyone was looking for some advice or help.
I know. When I posted the question I wondered whether this would be a good idea, but sometimes you just...

I can't find my car keys.
Try looking in the car door :o) I've seen people find their car keys left in the door more than once.
posted by Termite at 6:57 AM on August 10, 2003

I've seen people find their car keys left in the door more than once

and then what, they wonder why the door doesn't start?
posted by matteo at 9:34 AM on August 10, 2003

jonson, mischief: standards are for a55hole5. And at least I shaved today.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:33 AM on August 10, 2003

You shaved your a55hole?
posted by inpHilltr8r at 12:55 PM on August 10, 2003

inpHilltr8r, that should be "You 5haved your a55hole?", dammit!
posted by taz at 2:30 PM on August 10, 2003

Termite, you just found out what a tough crowd this can be. While this is not really the place to ask advice on web design (or anything else), you could try the fledgling MeFi tribe, who would probably be happy to help you. They will still make fun of you, but nothing is life is truly free ;-)
posted by dg at 3:46 PM on August 10, 2003

I'm resisting the lure of the MeFi tribe. We get close enough to cannibalism at MeTa...
posted by wendell at 6:00 PM on August 10, 2003

*sharpens his knife in preparation for wendell's arrival*
posted by dg at 6:04 PM on August 10, 2003

inpHilltr8r: it's my wife'5 birthday today, 5o I'm hairle55 in her honor. It'5 a thang.
posted by billsaysthis at 9:06 PM on August 10, 2003

Or is it a thong?

dg, I think a cleaver may be more utilitarian, but I'm not sure. I'm waiting for Alton Brown to do an episode on human flesh (special guests: Rupert "Timothy" Holmes and Len "Sweeny Todd" Cariou). And based on 40+ years of fingernail biting, I can vouch for the fact that I do taste like chicken.
posted by wendell at 4:02 AM on August 11, 2003