jquery.select_text.js

(function($) {
  $.fn.selectText = function() {
    var doc = window.document;
    return this.each(function() {
      var selection, range;
      if (window.getSelection && doc.createRange) {
        // modern FF, Safari, and Opera (I think)
        selection = window.getSelection();
        range = doc.createRange();
        range.selectNodeContents(this);
        selection.removeAllRanges();
        selection.addRange(range);
      } else if (doc.body.createTextRange) {
        // guess who?
        range = doc.body.createTextRange();
        range.moveToElementText(this);
        range.select();
      }
    });
  }
})(jQuery);

jQuery(".nice_codes").live("click", function() { jQuery(this).selectText(); });

If you want to cause the entire text contents of an element to be selected, I give you $.fn.selectText. You might, say, use this on-click. Or to be annoying.