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"Skip to content" links, vissibility and keyboard users without screen readers, to hide or not to hide?

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From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Sep 15, 2011 1:15PM

Yea wise people.

I am glancing through the excellent Jim Thatcher course (though it
hasnot been updated in 5 years, vast majority of it is still relevant,
fortunately).
One thing it highlights, and ihave seen discussed here as well, is use
of skip navigation links.
The specific page i am reading is
http://www.jimthatcher.com/webcourse4.htm

I understand the discussion of position a navigation link off-screen,
and it only receiving focus when the tab key is used. But later on,
the page seem to indicate that vissible skip to content links should
be provided for those using a headmouse or other keyboard simulation
methods to navigate a webpage. Unfortunately browsers other than
Opera, do not allow navigating by headings or other html elements.
So, what is the right thing to recommend here:
a. For skip links to be invissible, a keyboard simulation users will
have to tab through each and every link on the page, so the first time
he/she uses the tab key the otherwise invissible link will become
vissible or
b. To have a vissible "skip to content" link at the top of the page,
to make navigation of the pge easier for any keyboard users?

The page also discusses IE6 and IE7 bugs that cause samepage links not
to work, unless they are configured specifically. (see page for exact
description, as it is somewhat lengthy, discussion is towards the end
of the page).
Hs this issue been fixed in IE8/IE9? If someone knows off the top of
their head it'd be good to know. If not, I'll simply construct a test
case myself to find out.
Thanks very much
-Birkir