Disable Browser Cut and Paste

[keyplyr]

I've noticed occasionally that I am unable to C&P text at some websites. Is this possibly just my browser's quirks (IE6), or is there code to dissable this function? Thanks.

[Axacta]

function disableselect(e){
return false
}

function reEnable(){
return true
}

//if IE4+
document.onselectstart=new Function ("return false")

//if NS6
if (window.sidebar){
document.onmousedown=disableselect
document.onclick=reEnable
}

[lorax]

keyplyr,
There are no guarenteed methods of preventing someone from C&P. If javascript is disabled in my browser (for example) the code Axacta supplied is moot.

[keyplyr]

Thanks axacta, that worked fine.

lorax, because my server restricts SSI to the addHandler method, and because this has tested to significantly slow resources, my site has become JS (includes, scripts, pop-ups) dependant anyway. If a user has JS disabled, he/she will not be doing much of anything at my website - LOL

[Axacta]

I also include the following line to substitute a copyright notice when a page is printed:

<link rel="alternate" media="print" href="no_printing.htm">

[lorax]

kyplyr,
"If a user has JS disabled, he/she will not be doing much of anything at my website - LOL"

Sort of the way I feel about style sheets, I've grown dependent upon them in 6 short months - but that's a different thread! :)

[rewboss]

I can't think of anything more infuriating than not being able to have a hard copy of something I need.

(Actually, I can, but she's not talking to me right now.)

I guess this is all to do with copyright protection. Well, as far as I know, making copies for your own personal use is "fair use", and disabling printing and C&P is really paranoid. It's if I used your ideas/design/text on my website, or resold or distributed it -- that would be copyright violation.

[Axacta]

Rewboss,

In general I agree with you, and you are correct that people who unsuccessfully try to print my pages generally do leave immediately. And I do use the copyright violation threat to scare people off from copying stuff out of my site. Because the content is presented somewhat like a book, and understanding any given page usually hinges on reading and understanding all of the previous pages, for a visitor to select out certain isolated pages could lead to misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the pages selected and the website as a whole. I would prefer to avoid that as much as possible, and am willing to accept that my methods may "infuriate" some visitors.

[knighty]

>>I can't think of anything more infuriating than not being able to have a hard copy of something I need.

I thought one of the huge advantages of the internet was to cut down on 'hard copies'

Save the rain forests man! and all that :)

[edit_g]

At the moment, if somebody is determined to take something from your site, it is impossible to be sure that they can't.

If you are presenting information in "almost book form" why not consider PDF files?

[Axacta]

>At the moment, if somebody is determined to take something from your site, it is impossible to be sure that they can't.<

Of course that is true - I am only trying to discourage it.

>If you are presenting information in "almost book form" why not consider PDF files?<

I personally can't stand PDF files, and I still want the advantages of regular web pages - but hey, if that suits someone else, that's fine with me.

[keyplyr]

Well, as far as I know... disabling printing and C&P is really paranoid. - rewboss

LOL - If users want a copy of my work, they may purchase one of my books.