Finally found the issue, and yes - I feel like an idiot.

Apparently, while trying various things I inadvertently capitalized the 'I' in 'If' and no one (including me) that was looking at it caught it for quite a while. Once I un-capitalized it, it worked exactly as it should. javascript - case insensitive, 'til it's not.



>>I still got (get) nothing.
>>
>>It appears to be an issue with the 'if' statement
>>
>>If I leave out the if/else and put the alert first
>>

>>alert('Please select a recipe');
>>location.href='go.hcn?hcn2~recipe~'+topiclist.options[topiclist.selectedIndex].value;
>>

>>
>>I get the alert, then it goes to the selected recipe (and still error/logs on the "Select topic")
>>
>>I've tried changing the if around
>>

>>function SCDropDown(topiclist)
>>  {
>>    if (topiclist.selectedIndex == 0)
>>     {
>>      alert('Please select a recipe');
>>      }
>>    else {
>>      location.href='go.hcn?hcn2~recipe~'+topiclist.options[topiclist.selectedIndex].value;
>>       }
>>  }
>>

>
>I copied the exact code above and it works for me (except, of course, I get a 404 on the URL)
>
>Check your code in a debugger. If you haven't used one yet I'd suggest Chrome. Get the page up in the browser and hit Ctrl-Shift-I.
>The Console tab will show any errors; the Sources tab allows you to select the source, set breakpoints and inspect values.
>
>
>>I've even tried
>>

>>if (1==1)
>>

>>
>>and still nothing.
>>
>>This is giving me a huge headache 'cuz it shouldn't be this dang difficult to put if logic into freakin' Javascript
>>
>>>>If this is Javascript, If should be lowercase and the condition within parentheses I believe. If there is no error, make sure the browser is set to show the Javascript errors.
>>>
>>>Yep. The 'If' is a problem. This should work:

function SCDropDown(topiclist)
>>>        {
>>>            if (topiclist.selectedIndex > 0)
>>>            {
>>>                location.href='go.hcn?hcn2~recipe~'+topiclist.options[topiclist.selectedIndex].value;
>>>            }
>>>        else {
>>>                alert('Please select a recipe');
>>>            }
>>>        }