XMLHttpRequest to get HTTP response from remote host

Question

Why the following code Based on Mozilla example does not work? Tried with Firefox 3.5.7 & Chrome.

Answer 1

Security issue no?

Presumably firefox is preventing the local file from talking to a remote host?

Scouting round the net - found this. Try adding this to the start of your script:

try {
  netscape.security.PrivilegeManager.enablePrivilege("UniversalBrowserRead");
} catch (e) {
  alert("Permission UniversalBrowserRead denied.");
}

Can't guarantee this'll work; because ultimately what you're trying to do is enter a security hole that browsers have been specifically coded to have plugged up (cross-domain requests).

There are some special scenarios where it can be switched on, though, usually at the user's discretion.