Web Design Forums

d3mcfadden · 14-09-2005, 10:40

... on when to use _ blank and open a link in a new window. I am working on a client’s page and I have always practiced _blank when I am going to a different domain (completely different site). I cannot convince the client do let me do so, because they think it looks like "spam" or a pop up. I am trying to explain that is not the case when someone clicks on a link the can expect a reaction, whether that is going to a new page or opening a new window. What do you all do/ think. Thanks

emil · 14-09-2005, 10:45

your client is right

d3mcfadden · 14-09-2005, 10:47

.. because "the client is always right" or that is correct pracitce? do you ever open anything in a new window, I agree it can be annoying when it is done wrong aswel, but I am no expert on this subject. thanks

emil · 14-09-2005, 10:49

Spanning multiple windows is considered to be bad practice. Generally you should let your visitor decide if he/she wants to open the link in a new window/tab. Sometimes I had to use target="_blank" but I'm trying to not use it at all if possible.

Transmogrify · 14-09-2005, 11:11

Hear hear! The target attribute, if we're going by the book, isn't intended to be used for openining new windows (it's for targetting frames) and is deprecated in XHTML 1.1 (I think! Or maybe it's XHTML 2?).

d3mcfadden · 14-09-2005, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transmogrify

Hear hear! The target attribute, if we're going by the book, isn't intended to be used for openining new windows (it's for targetting frames) and is deprecated in XHTML 1.1 (I think! Or maybe it's XHTML 2?).

interesting...

JiRaffe · 14-09-2005, 11:52

it just annoys me when links to alternate domains dont open in a new window or tab. surely most businesses would prefer that visitors didn't leave their site

that's a personal opinion though, rather than a 'best practice' piece of advice

stealthcow · 14-09-2005, 12:08

personally i just click a link with the scroll wheel which opens the page in a new tab in firefox, but obviously your visitors wont do that as a rule - i find that opening in a new window to external sites is best as it not only lets the visitor know they are going to a different site, but also means they dont have to click back 500 times if they want to return to your site after browsing the other one

d3mcfadden · 14-09-2005, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiRaffe

it just annoys me when links to alternate domains dont open in a new window or tab. surely most businesses would prefer that visitors didn't leave their site

that's a personal opinion though, rather than a 'best practice' piece of advice

That's my thinking exactly, you could possibably loose your user if you take them off your site. I guess there are two sides to this argument, both valid.

pgo · 14-09-2005, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiRaffe

it just annoys me when links to alternate domains dont open in a new window or tab. surely most businesses would prefer that visitors didn't leave their site

What businesses prefer isn't always what users prefer. And what businesses prefer should be what users prefer - the customer is always right, not the suits.

According to most usability/accessibility studies, breaking the back button by opening a new window impedes the user's ability to navigate - as most people use the logical "Back" button to go "back".

Also, as Transmogrify said, W3C is trying to rid us of target="_blank" - it's not only deprecated in XHTML 1.1, but also in XHTML 1.0 Strict.

gray · 14-09-2005, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealthcow

personally i just click a link with the scroll wheel which opens the page in a new tab in firefox

elly · 14-09-2005, 12:20

I agree. I prefer to click a link that opens in a new window because it is easy to return back to where I started. Plus, the benefit for your client is that their site does not get 'lost' - it remains there to be seen by the viewer.

pgo · 14-09-2005, 12:20

Wait...I think he's trying to communicate...yes...eyes...thumb...what is it, boy?

stealthcow · 14-09-2005, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray

ever thought of reading the entire post before going with the slapdash sarcy reply?

gray · 14-09-2005, 12:32

haha feel the love in this room

i didnt know you could do that in firefox

cnuts

Transmogrify · 14-09-2005, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray

i didnt know you could do that in firefox

Me neither, until just now.

And by golly, he's right.

jingle · 14-09-2005, 12:47

I saw a thing recently where some standards head had used a little bit of java in a link beside the main links on his site to allow users to pop open a seperate window if they wanted the links to open in blanks. Anyone know what I'mma talking about?

JiRaffe · 14-09-2005, 17:49

i agree that the user/customer is the person who should be kept in mind but i really do think that most people prefer links that go to a separate domain to pop up in a new window.

i cant find the scrollwheel on my mac mouse

jase1000 · 14-09-2005, 19:19

I prefer a new window to open. I hate it when you assume that a link has opened in a new window and end up closing your whole browser by mistake (trying to get back to where you linked from). Best practice my arse!

d*d · 15-09-2005, 04:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase1000

I prefer a new window to open. I hate it when you assume that a link has opened in a new window and end up closing your whole browser by mistake (trying to get back to where you linked from).

Proving that there is no idiot proof method

14-09-2005, 10:40	#1 (permalink)
d3mcfadden Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: - Posts: 694	your opinions... ... on when to use _ blank and open a link in a new window. I am working on a client’s page and I have always practiced _blank when I am going to a different domain (completely different site). I cannot convince the client do let me do so, because they think it looks like "spam" or a pop up. I am trying to explain that is not the case when someone clicks on a link the can expect a reaction, whether that is going to a new page or opening a new window. What do you all do/ think. Thanks Last edited by d3mcfadden : 14-09-2005 at 22:39.

14-09-2005, 11:52	#7 (permalink)
JiRaffe Ur mother's ur brother? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool Posts: 913	it just annoys me when links to alternate domains dont open in a new window or tab. surely most businesses would prefer that visitors didn't leave their site that's a personal opinion though, rather than a 'best practice' piece of advice __________________ ::: TC Magazine :::

14-09-2005, 17:49	#18 (permalink)
JiRaffe Ur mother's ur brother? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool Posts: 913	i agree that the user/customer is the person who should be kept in mind but i really do think that most people prefer links that go to a separate domain to pop up in a new window. i cant find the scrollwheel on my mac mouse __________________ ::: TC Magazine :::

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14-09-2005, 10:45	#2 (permalink)
emil dt immigrant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucharest - Romania Posts: 6,952	your client is right

14-09-2005, 10:47	#3 (permalink)
d3mcfadden Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: - Posts: 694	.. because "the client is always right" or that is correct pracitce? do you ever open anything in a new window, I agree it can be annoying when it is done wrong aswel, but I am no expert on this subject. thanks

14-09-2005, 10:49	#4 (permalink)
emil dt immigrant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucharest - Romania Posts: 6,952	Spanning multiple windows is considered to be bad practice. Generally you should let your visitor decide if he/she wants to open the link in a new window/tab. Sometimes I had to use target="_blank" but I'm trying to not use it at all if possible.

14-09-2005, 11:11	#5 (permalink)
Transmogrify Rough Creep Arse™ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,894	Hear hear! The target attribute, if we're going by the book, isn't intended to be used for openining new windows (it's for targetting frames) and is deprecated in XHTML 1.1 (I think! Or maybe it's XHTML 2?).

14-09-2005, 12:08	#8 (permalink)
stealthcow knocking heads Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,930	personally i just click a link with the scroll wheel which opens the page in a new tab in firefox, but obviously your visitors wont do that as a rule - i find that opening in a new window to external sites is best as it not only lets the visitor know they are going to a different site, but also means they dont have to click back 500 times if they want to return to your site after browsing the other one

14-09-2005, 12:20	#12 (permalink)
elly Arf arf Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bath, England Posts: 31	I agree. I prefer to click a link that opens in a new window because it is easy to return back to where I started. Plus, the benefit for your client is that their site does not get 'lost' - it remains there to be seen by the viewer.

14-09-2005, 12:20	#13 (permalink)
pgo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,358	Wait...I think he's trying to communicate...yes...eyes...thumb...what is it, boy?

14-09-2005, 12:32	#15 (permalink)
gray i still want paying Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: newcastle, uk Posts: 4,728	haha feel the love in this room i didnt know you could do that in firefox cnuts

14-09-2005, 12:47	#17 (permalink)
jingle Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 75	I saw a thing recently where some standards head had used a little bit of java in a link beside the main links on his site to allow users to pop open a seperate window if they wanted the links to open in blanks. Anyone know what I'mma talking about?

14-09-2005, 19:19	#19 (permalink)
jase1000 turd 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Right on your tit end Posts: 1,168	I prefer a new window to open. I hate it when you assume that a link has opened in a new window and end up closing your whole browser by mistake (trying to get back to where you linked from). Best practice my arse!

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