So, we've worked out that onLoad is bad and onDomReady is good, but how do we go about using it in Domino?

Chances are you're using a JavaScript library such as jQuery, Mootools or YUI already. In that case you simply need to find out what your library calls its onready event and work out how to use. For example, if you're using mootools, do this:

window.addEvent('domready', function(){
  alert('the dom is ready');
});

If you're using YUI, do this:

function init() { 
  alert('the dom is ready');
}
YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(init);

Which is, effectively, the same as:

YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady( function() { 
  alert('the dom is ready');
});

For jQuery it's

$(document).ready(function() {
  alert('the dom is ready');
});

Whichever you use they all seem to function in the same way and use the same hacks to make it all cross browser. To get an understanding of how it works have a look at Dean Edwards' solution, which seems to be what most others are based on. I've copied the code and demo in to an NSF which you can see here and download here.

On a recent project I didn't want the weight of a library to burden the site so I just used Dean's code in a "library.js" file which is included in all pages by default and rarely changes. Also included in all pages is the "functions.js" file where custom code is added and regularly changed. In this functions file we call the onDomReady event which calls the same function in every form in the database. This is how the above demo works.

The trouble with using onLoad in Domino is that you have to add it to every form individually (including view templates). If it changes then you have to edit every single form. With this new method you don't have to make any changes to any forms. Just do it in the one JavaScript resource.

Hope that all makes sense. If not, feel free to ask any questions at all. No matter how daft you might think they are. I still try to write and create content geared towards developers of all knowledge levels. All are welcome here.