a select control with some js to inject the option tags?
> rich content dropdown selects
I don't even know what this means. Are you just writing code for visual users?
> combined multi selects
I've never run into an average user who knows how to use multi-selects or how to use the shift/ctrl key to do it. I think checkboxes/radio buttons is probably a better and more useable control.
These are all pretty poor solutions to the problem. I also prefer native controls but when they don't fit your use case I think it is better to make your own than use non-fitting input types.
I do agree that most users don't know how to use multi-selects though. For that a list with checkboxes works well and allows rich content.
Two separate date fields?
> search fields with dynamic autocomplete
a select control with some js to inject the option tags?
> rich content dropdown selects
I don't even know what this means. Are you just writing code for visual users?
> combined multi selects
I've never run into an average user who knows how to use multi-selects or how to use the shift/ctrl key to do it. I think checkboxes/radio buttons is probably a better and more useable control.