TechNote (Archived)

The commented fw_menu.js file

At the bottom of this TechNote you will find links to download the JavaScript file which is generated for Pop-up Menus. This particular JavaScript file has many added "comments" which explain which parts of the JavaScript file affect the different aspects of the Pop-up Menus. Advanced users who are skilled in manipulating HTML and JavaScript code will find this commented JavaScript file a handy reference tool. The file should be used for reference only and is not designed to be used on actual Web sites.

The popularity of Fireworks 4 Pop-up Menus
Since the release of Fireworks 4, Pop-up Menus have been the major topic of discussion on the Fireworks Online Forum, as well as on other Fireworks discussion groups. Discussion participants frequently inquire about and share ways to alter, customize and change the behavior of their Pop-up Menus. Although instructions for customizing Pop-up Menus are found in many Macromedia TechNotes (see the related TechNotes list below), users have continued to seek new ways to make their pages unique and stretch the limits of this feature. For this reason the Fireworks Development team has released a commented version of the Fireworks JavaScript file (fw_menu.js) so those users who are knowledgeable about JavaScript can learn from the script and find ways to customize their Pop-up Menu behaviors to their liking.

Development of the commented JavaScript file
The first version of the fw_menu.js file, coded by John Ahlquist of Macromedia, Inc., was based on the menu.js file that Gary Smith of Netscape Communications Corporation developed. Additional code was inserted to allow the Pop-up Menus to work with Internet Explorer browsers (versions 4.5 and above) and Mozilla (the code base for Netscape 6). With the Fireworks 4.0.2 updater the code was adapted to include Internet Explorer browser versions 4.0 and later. Andy Finnell of Macromedia, Inc. wrote the comments for the JavaScript from Fireworks 4.0.2. You should be using Fireworks 4.0.2 to best benefit from the comments in this JS file.

A note about the file size of the JavaScript file
A common concern expressed aboutthis feature relates to the size of the fw_menu.js file. At 24k, it was (and still is, for some) a hefty chunk of data for visitors with slower Internet connections to download (along with the images, other JavaScript and HTML code associated with the site). As seen by the comments in the JS file, users will find that they can eliminate the code that is designated for browsers that their clients will not be using, allowing for a much smaller file and faster downloads. Users will also be able to change the horizontal positioning of submenus, control the length of time a Pop-up Menu stays visible in the browser and also control many other aspects of their menus. It is our hope that by providing this file, users will be able to extend Fireworks and create new and interesting navigation systems.

Disclaimer
This downloadable file is for reference use only by Web developers who use Fireworks with an HTML editor. Do NOT use this .js file in your sites by placing it in the Fireworks 4/Configuration/HTML Code subfolder to replace the original fw_menu.js file. This file can be kept in the Fireworks 4 directory and accessed in any text or HTML editor. Only users who are familiar with manipulating HTML and JavaScript code should attempt to change the appearance or functionality of their Pop-up Menus by using this reference guide to change the fw_menu.js files they use on their Web sites. By downloading either of these files, you agree that Macromedia cannot be held liable in any way for any loss of time, money, or resources that may be incurred by the use of this file.

Download the Fireworks 4 fw_menu.js file
Windows Download: fw_menu.zip (16K)
Macintosh Download: fw_menu.sea.hqx (19K)

Additional information
For additional information about Pop-up Menus in Fireworks or Dreamweaver, consult the following:

	Customizing and troubleshooting Pop-up Menu images (TechNote 14995)
	How to set the length of time a Pop-up Menu remains visible (TechNote 15007)
	Fireworks 4 Pop-up Menus in Dreamweaver 4 templates (TechNote 15088)
	Fireworks Pop-up Menus in Dreamweaver Library files (TechNote 15101)
	Using anchor tags with Fireworks 4 Pop-up Menus (TechNote 15161)
	Assigning additional behaviors to Pop-up Menu items (TechNote 15369)
	Multiple Pop-up Menu HTMLs inserted into one Dreamweaver file (TechNote 15573)
	How to open Pop-up Menus in another frame panel(TechNote 15816)
	Fonts in Pop-up Menus (TechNote 15342)
	How to create transparent Pop-up Menus (TechNote 15526)
	Using site root-relative paths with Fireworks Pop-up Menus in Dreamweaver templates (TechNote 15832)

Note:Aspects of the Pop-up Menu feature in Fireworks were improved in the Fireworks 4.0.2 Updater. See Fireworks 4 and 4.0.2 release notes for specific information about the updater.