The target="_blank" debate is an interesting one. Initially I stopped using it as it wasn't included in the core XHTML 1.1 (although it can be added as module). Recently I've considered the appropriateness of its use a lot more and settled on utilizing unobtrusive JavaScript (JS) to give anchors which posses a "rel" attribute with a value of "external" a behaviour which causes them to open up in a fresh window. I'll also utilize JS append a small graphic to the link that signifies it will open a new window and append "(opens in a new window)" to the title attribute to give the user some extra info in their tool-tip.
The nice thing about this method is that if the user's browser has JS support active this additional behaviour and information will be added, and if they don't they still have a link that acts nicely and has the "rel" attribute defined in a meaningful way. By quickly glancing at a link (or hovering over it to show the tool-tip) they are alerted to the fact that it will open in a new window. It is also very easy to allow users to disable this behaviour through some form of preferences (either session or account). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=46314 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
