gistfile1.js

/*
 * An object for building an object of handler methods, which can
 * can then be added via Element.addMethods. Example result:
 *
 * {
 *    mousedown: function(element, fn) {
 *      element = $(element);
 *      element.observe("mousedown", fn.bind(element));
 *      return element;
 *    },
 *    mouseup: function(element, fn) {
 *      element = $(element);
 *      element.observe("mouseup", fn.bind(element));
 *      return element;
 *    }
 * }
 */
var InlineHandlers = {

  events: "mousedown,mouseup".split(","),
  
  build: function() {
    var methods = {};
    this.events.map(function(evt) {
      methods[evt] = this._buildObservationMethod(evt);
    }.bind(this));
    return methods;
  },
  
  _buildObservationMethod: function(name) {
    return function(element, fn) {
      element = $(element);
      element.observe(name, fn.bind(element));
      return element;
    };
  }

};

Element.addMethods(InlineHandlers.build());

// Now we have jQuery-style event registration.
$("aLink")
  .mousedown(function(e) {
    this.update("DOWN - " + e);
  })
  .mouseup(function(e) {
    this.update("UP - " + e);
  });