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Snark ForumsOnlineHelp & TutorialsUsability & AccessibilityLinks: target behaviour
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Ben
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« on: 02/08/10 at 10:16 AM »
Months ago I posted a blog about my view on the behaviour of a link. Saying that I felt external links should open in a new window/tab (target="_blank"). I was quite quickly got shot down because user studies proved that a user prefers to select how the link works themselves without it being forced upon them.

Browsing the web more and more, I am coming round to the idea too, that all links should be left as to open in the current window unless the user specifies themselves by right-clicking.

But do you think they are any cases when a link should open in a new window? I still feel external documents such as PDF's, Word docs etc should.

I found this interesting article as well - though posted 5 years ago, is still relevant to the discussion:
http://www.trilithium.com/johan/2005/03/target-blank/

What are your thoughts?
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Amelie
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« Reply #1 on: 02/08/10 at 10:06 AM »
No. I don't think any page should dictate to any person how any link should be opened - I will decide that. To people using lower-powered computers stuck with IE6, the opening of new windows is really not welcome - using my parents' old computer convinced me of that fact. I knew instantly when a link had been target=_blank'ed because the whole computer would freeze up for a minute or so before the new window appeared. I'd normally close it straight away by that point.

A lot of people argue that it is best to open external links in a new window so that visitors will stay on your site, however I would argue that if your site is good enough, visitors don't need to be forced to stay on it.

I ranted about this some time ago Wink
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Meg
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« Reply #2 on: 02/08/10 at 10:47 AM »
Personally, I don't care. I have Firefox set to open new windows in tabs instead, so new windows popping up are not a problem. And PDFs and Word documents open in their respective applications, not in my browser.

The only thing I HATE is when people have target="blank" or target="new" because oftentimes their new link replaces a tab I already had open Angry

But I'm pretty much with everyone who argues that people shouldn't mess with link behavior from an accessibilty standpoint.
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OhKristin
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« Reply #3 on: 02/08/10 at 10:49 AM »
This is interesting, I really never gave this much thought before. Now that I think about it though, very true.
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Kaylee
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« Reply #4 on: 02/08/10 at 10:53 AM »
Quote from: Meg on 02/08/10 at 10:47 AM
Personally, I don't care. I have Firefox set to open new windows in tabs instead, so new windows popping up are not a problem. And PDFs and Word documents open in their respective applications, not in my browser.
Same here.

However, I agree with the idea that it's best to let the user decide.

Also, how cute is it when you see people right clicking a link to choose "Open link in new tab" and then they're amazed when you teach them to middle-click? Kitty
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« Reply #5 on: 02/08/10 at 10:56 AM »
^ I just did that today! Lol.

I think it's best to leave it, but I don't really care since I open all links with middle-click anyway. Tongue I actually dislike it more when you can't open a link in a new tab (like if it's javascript or whatever).
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Meg
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« Reply #6 on: 02/08/10 at 10:56 AM »
I have never middle-clicked! I just double-finger-tap and then tap "open link in new window." Kitty
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Alserina
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« Reply #7 on: 02/08/10 at 10:57 AM »
Quote from: Kaylee on 02/08/10 at 10:53 AM
Also, how cute is it when you see people right clicking a link to choose "Open link in new tab" and then they're amazed when you teach them to middle-click? Kitty

I know! I've told quite a few people that, and they think I'm a genius for knowing something so simple...

And this is why I don't care where people make my links open -- I middle click all my links to open in a new tab anyway.
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Adam
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« Reply #8 on: 02/08/10 at 10:13 PM »
Websites opening in new windows/tabs should only happen when I tell it to happen. If I want something to open in a new tab, I'll middle/scroll-click. I don't see why I should have someone else choose how I want to open a website Tongue
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« Reply #9 on: 02/08/10 at 10:38 PM »
Quote from: Adam on 02/08/10 at 10:13 PM
Websites opening in new windows/tabs should only happen when I tell it to happen. If I want something to open in a new tab, I'll middle/scroll-click. I don't see why I should have someone else choose how I want to open a website Tongue
Exactly what I wanted to say Tongue

I have browser addons for both Firefox and Chrome that "kill" the target attribute.
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