JavaScript Settings

iCab's primary JavaScript settings work on three different levels:

1. First of all, there is the master switch that turns off all JavaScript in its entirety. Turn this one off, and no JavaScript whatsoever will be run anywhere. Turn this one on, and JavaScript will be run or not run according to the next two levels. This master switch is located at two places; it doesn't matter which one you use. The first place is in the menu bar: View -> Execute JavaScript, while the second one is in the preferences' JavaScript section: iCab -> Preferences -> JavaScript -> General -> Activate JavaScript (ECMAScript). Despite their different names and locations, these two switches actually do the same thing.
2. There are seven checkboxes on the General pane of the JavaScript settings. They control which versions of JavaScript will be executed. You have to know that there are several different versions of JavaScript or equivalents; iCab allows you to turn them on or off individually. My recommendation is to just leave the default (factory) settings here unless you know what you're doing: All six JavaScript versions (1.0 to 1.5) on, but JScript off.
3. The last (but not least) level of iCab's primary JavaScript settings is located in the JavaScript preferences on the Filter pane. (These filters have nothing to do with the Filter Manager, BTW.) Here you can deny scripts certain kinds of functionality you don't like. For example, say you don't like pop-up windows: To prevent them from appearing, you could simply disable Scripts may: open windows automatically. You don't like that some new windows that are being opened by web sites have no navigation bar at the top? Simply disable Scripts may: hide toolbars, and you're done. If you dislike fuzzy text in the status line, you could disable Scripts may: write in status line. And so on. Turn these on or off as you wish, but be aware that turning them off might prevent a few bad sites from working properly.

A few notes regarding JavaScript:

• iCab's Filter Manager may override the iCab Preferences on a per-site basis. To be absolutely sure that no site-specific JavaScript filters interfere with your tests of the above settings, turn off the Filter Manager by disabling View -> Filter Manager active. (You might want to re-enable the Filter Manager after you're done.)
• The less JavaScript you enable, the less JavaScript will be executed. The thing is that some pages require JavaScript and thus might not work properly (or not work at all) without it. Most of the time, this is due to bad design on the site author's part.
• JavaScript is not Java!
• See the JavaScript description for more information and details as well as security considerations.
• Always keep JavaConnect switched off unless you fully understand the security implications involved!

-- ArneJohannessen