Is there a way to detect if a browser window is not currently active?

Question

I have JavaScript that is doing activity periodically. When the user is not looking at the site (i.e., the window or tab does not have focus), it\'d be nice to not run.

Answer 1

I create a Comet Chat for my app, and when I receive a message from another user I use:

if(new_message){
    if(!document.hasFocus()){
        audio.play();
        document.title="Have new messages";
    }
    else{
        audio.stop();
        document.title="Application Name";
    } 
}