how to clear up text field on click?

HTML5 Placeholder input readiness: Is there potential for user confusion if input default text is hidden only after typing starts (on change) rather than when the field is initially clicked into (on focus)?

• I think the HTML5 Placeholder function (e.g., http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/base-css.html#forms)  for default form field text (termed "input as a label" by ) is excellent and it standardizes a JavaScript-based design pattern that historically has been all over the place. But it feels like there is something missing - I'll call it "input readiness". In the older JS implementations I liked the way the default text in the form field,  "Search..." for instance, responded when the cursor was clicked in the field - either by hiding the text or screening back a bit. This change clearly signaled input readiness for the user to type their query or enter data (see the search box on http://www.ibm.com/). But with HTML5 Placeholder it's not so clear when the field is input ready. Only after the user starts typing, and the default text is hidden, is it clear that the field is really ready for input. What troubles me is that the form field does not signal readiness on the first user action (click/on focus) but only on the second action (typing/on change). This seems like it could cause momentary confusion until the user discovers that the form field is in fact "ready" and they can go ahead and type over the default text to start their query.  I don't want to fight the whole HTML5 crew on this; but I believe the interaction would be improved with readiness cues when the cursor is placed in the form field, instead of after typing starts. So, does HTML5 Placeholder lack input readiness?

• Answer:

  Yes, there is. People solve this by highlighting the whole input field on focus to signal "input readiness" while using HTML5 Placeholder feature.