On 12/21/11 5:04 AM, Patrick H. Lauke wrote:
On 21/12/2011 12:16, coder wrote:
In one sense, this argument is fallacious, because whatever the
web designer does decides what happens when a user just 'clicks a
link'. In my experience, most folk 'out there' don't know about
right clicking. To say 'it is the user's choice' is mainly untrue,
because he/she doesn't know they've got a choice, and what happens
depends upon what the designer has coded.
A tired argument, but based on the premises that:
- most users don't know they can open links explicitly in a new
window/tab - the vast majority of links out on t'internet are simply
that, straight links, with no extra target="_blank" or similar
the fact that a link takes them away to another site is, as a
consequence, the expected behaviour that those non-savvy users have.
By trying to be extra good ("here, let me open this in a new window
for you"), designers may arguably be breaking that expectation and
confusing those users, rather than helping them.
[...]
Excellent points. If your reason for wanting to open a new window or tab
is to be helpful, I suggest telling your visitors about the right-click
option right there on your web page. If a link does open a new window,
say so. A case could be made for opening PDFs in a new window. But this
always breaks the back button, and I doubt there are many who don't know
about that browser feature. :)
--
Cordially,
David
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