Setting maxlength attribute of input[type=text] or input[type=password] does not work as expected.

In Firefox and Opera if maxlength is not set the field.attr('maxlength') == -1. But if I try to set field.attr('maxlength', -1) it is being set to 0 instead.

Please find attached example.

What is the best way to proceed with it?

UPDATE:

Attaching files does not work for me so here is the link to it

http://gist.github.com/476690

Michal