We have tested sites with both different behaviours on users and in most
cases if the PDF would open in the same window the inexperienced users would
accidentally close the window and as a result lose the website they were
working with.
It seems to be already in the users' minds that a different page (e.g. PDF
file or a third-party website) will open in a new window. So, very often
without even thinking much about it they close the window once they are
done. And to lose your point in a website is very frustrating, in particular
for inexperienced users: they have to start all over again, open a new
browser window, might even have to search in Google for the site again and
find their prior position in your website.
I wish it was different and we could train the users to learn to use their
options, but I think this will be very difficult. Opening links in new
browser windows has been around for such a long time, most users have
learned to accept it as a standard and in fact rely on this happening.
So for my perspective: definitely open PDFs and other such documents in new
windows (allows modem users to stop the download at any time and prevents
users from accidentally closing their current website).
Cheers,
Andreas.
________________________________
From: Drake, Ted C. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, 16 August 2005 2:24 AM
To: 'wsg@webstandardsgroup.org'
Subject: [WSG] accessibility - opening new windows philosophy
Hi All
We've had a discussion at work about pdf documents and hijacking the
user's browser / making it more user-friendly. What is the general feeling
towards having pdf and other non-html documents open in a new window?
I personally find it annoying to open a pdf document in the native
window and having to wait for the reader to load. I usually right-click and
open in a new window. However, I know some people expect that to happen and
could lose their place if a bunch of windows are opened. I would use the
javascript approach to avoid using target="_blank". This should avoid the
complications of having PDA devices or screen readers attempting to open
multiple windows.
So, I told my co-workers that I would throw this out to the
standards community. Try to ignore any bias I may have. I would appreciate
any honest feedback about whether we should open new windows for .pdf, .doc,
.ppt, xls, .visio, or .whatever.
Thanks
Ted Drake
Web & Collaboration Services
Science Applications International Corporation
858.826.3856 / 858.826.3336 (fax)
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