Boxes around visited links

[jjtbt]

When one of my users clicks on a link on a web page (using XP Pro and IE 6) and then clicks the back button to return to the previous page, she finds that a dotted rectangular box is around the link that she previously clicked.

Any ideas on this?

 

[mkrausnick]

That is the correct behavior. Clicking on a link causes "focus" to go to the link. Focus is indicated by a dotted rectangle. Normally you see the rectangle only for the brief period it takes to load the next page, but if the user clicks the BACK button, the cached page with the rectangle will display. If the user clicks the refresh button, the rectangle should disappear.

Mike Krausnick
Dublin, California

 

[jjtbt]

I thought it may be the way it was supposed to be, but we have checked another PC configured similary and that PC does not get the box. Do you think it maybe has to do with the time it takes for the page to refresh when she is clicking the back button or some caching settings?

 

[mkrausnick]

I have no idea. It's really one of those things that's not worth wasting your time on.

Mike Krausnick
Dublin, California

 

[jjtbt]

My feelings exactly, but it's my manager and she finds it annoying. I'll probably stumble across an answer somewhere along the way...thanks for your input...

 

[mkrausnick]

Sounds like your manager doesn't have enough to do. My sympathies.

Mike Krausnick
Dublin, California

 

[tviman]

AFAIK, there is a way to get rid of it but it has to be done by the web site owner and can't be done by the web site viewer. As mkrausnick states, it is normal behavior for IE. If your supervisor finds it annoying, she might try switching browsers.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[jjtbt]

I passed on to her that the 2 of you agree (as I do) that it is normal behavior for IE. Hopefully that will appease her so she won't be bothered by it any more. Thanks for your input...

 

[itlama]

I am also suffering from same problem (for older websites done 'mortised', i.e. slice bigger pictures, reassembled as HTML Tables).

In those circumstances, slicing (hence the boundaries of 'boxes'), was done not purely based on aesthetics, so may result in white gaps between these 'dotted boxes' & the perceived buttons within.

In one word annoying, (or, an excuse for managers to become annoyed

Would appreciate if somebody could find a method here.

 

[mkrausnick]

I don't know if this will help, but in IE, go to TOOLS -> INTERNET OPTIONS -> ADVANCED and uncheck the box labelled "Move system caret with focus/selection changes".

Mike Krausnick
Dublin, California

 

[jjtbt]

I'll have her try that and will let you know if it solves the problem...