JavaScript/jQuery - offsetLeft and offsetTop

Question

When hovering over a span I would like to get the offsetLeft and offsetTop values so I can make something hover near it. When I do this I get 0 for both values.

What is a better way to tackle this? I am using jQuery.

Assume I am starting with (looped by server-side scripting):

<span onmouseover="hoverNearMe(this.offsetLeft,this.offsetTop);">some username</span><br />

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I'm giving the the answer rep out based on "code leverage"/DRY. The longer function you could use over and over in your own js library. The second short answer however is 100% correct too.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I think you should be able to do this:

HTML

<span class="get-close-to">some username</span><br />

jQuery

jQuery('.get-close-to').hover(function() {
    var offset = jQuery(this).css('offset');
    alert( 'Left: ' + offset.left + '\nTop: ' + offset.top );
});

Answer 2

$(this).offset().left and $(this).offset().top

Answer 3

Why do you need server-side scripting?

try this:

 var positionImg = function(e) {
  $(this).offset();
 var zoomCntnrPos = $(this).offset.top;
   if (zoomCntnrPos >= maxBottomVPos)
   {
     tPosX = e.pageX;
        tPosY = e.pageY +20;
    }
   else if (zoomCntnrPos <= maxTopVPos){
          tPosX = e.pageX;
        tPosY = e.pageY +40;
    }
   else
    {
     tPosX = e.pageX;
        tPosY = e.pageY -100;  
    }
  $zoomContainer.css({top: tPosY, left: tPosX});
 };