This is an example of a Javascript function that gradually changes the opacity of a selected HTML object (in this example, a <div> object). The Javascript code allows you to fade in or fade out an object using a finite number of steps. You are also allowed to set the minimal and maximal opacity of that object.

This code was tested on Firefox 1.x and Internet Explorer 6.0. This code will not work Opera 7.2 right now. I believe it may work on other browsers, but I would appreciate confirmation and/or bug fixes.

In the page below, I show two <div> HTML objects with two colors. The objects overlap to show the changes in opacity.

In addition, there is a debug window on top that shows the progress. You can turn off the debugging messages by calling o.toggleDebug(). Where o is the object being faded.

In the test below, you can change the number of steps, duration and range of opacity. Then you can press on Fade In or Fade Out buttons to see the objects fading in or out as specified. Optionally, you can turn debugging on to see a record of each step in the debug window.

You can download the entire library with the test example by clicking on folder.zip below.

• BSD license. BSD License is more friendly towards commercial products than GPL.
• Easy to understand architecture. Seagull uses the Model-View-Controller pattern MVC. It is very easy to find where things are done and how they are done. You can modify the framework easily as a result to accomodate any special needs.
• Uses Flexy HTML templates.
• Early bird special. The framework is small, and you can still contribute and the contribution can be significant.

Bad things about Seagull:

• Early bird special. Seagull does not look pretty out of the box. It looks like a programmer wrote the UI (as opposed to a graphic designer or some arty person).
• Early bird special. There are a lot of modules, blocks, infra-structure like stuff that are needed. For example, ad rotators, theme switchers, surveys, polls, etc.
• Use of the MVC pattern is still incompletely applied. There are some hardcoded html stuff in the modules that come with Seagull.
• As yet, there is no mechanism for plugins or modules to auto install and uninstall. Same applies for themes.

More to come…