Okay, on the server at work I made another fresh install and repeated the process. The example form from within the balbusautocompletefolder works. On the non-test build where my module is installed I just got a blank page instead. probably because that build is very much reliant on SS templates
If I move the AutocompleteExample.php anywhere else (such as mysite) it still works so the module is being found and recognized across the whole website.
So I made a new module that had a single SS template and a single controller with a copy of the example code in it...didn't work.
In the output of the SS template, the jQuery is completely absent. And it crashes when I try to force it into the SS
I commented out the index() function in the controller so that the controller wouldn't use an SS template...viola! Works just fine!
So thats the problem, the autocompleteform wont work if the form is included within an SS template because the scripts are not being inserted automatically in the SS.
I suppose the question now becomes. "How do I make an SS template use the jquery I give it?"
[edit]
*facepalm* I forgot to flush the goddamn cache
Nevermind, its working now. Now its time to test this on my module.
[edit2]
Great, it won't work on my module. I just get a spinning indicator and that's it. I noticed that the request for jquery-ui.min.js from Google returns a 407 error. I'm going to modify the code so it looks for a local copy.
Aside from that I am sure one of the other jquery files on the module is causing interference. I'll report any jquery files i find that could be causing problems