Form validation and Drop down list

[eluser]foysal[/eluser]
Hi all

which can I use for form validation?? first one or second one?

Code:

if ($this->form_validation->run() == FALSE)

  {
              
    redirect('login/events');
              
   }
          
   else
   {
      ..............................
    }

or

Code:

if ($this->form_validation->run() == FALSE)

  {
              
    $this->load->view('events');
              
   }
          
   else
   {
      ..............................
    }

I am using drop down list by using CI form_dropdown('');


how can I set the first value of drop down list?? like "Select Month" or "Select a value" or "Select an Item" which instruct me to select a value.


Foysal