If it's any consolation, the technology itself offers some guidance-- * Strict XHTML does not support the "target" attribute in an anchor tag * W3C accessibility guidelines instruct not to launch a new window "without informing the user" http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT-TECHS/#tech-avoid-pop-ups
I'm generally hesitant to let the lowest common denominator (i.e. text-based browsers) dictate how I implement a web site, but hewing to the standard might be wise. Looking forward to some hard evidence ;) -Jonathan On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 5:49 PM, Robert Hoekman Jr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> I know the answer is "it depends", because there are certainly going to be >> exceptions to whatever the general best practice may be, but any actual data >> from usability research would be better than the articles I've found. >> > > Btw, if the general rule is to open links in the same window, then might > blogs be one of the exceptions? Instinctively, it seems wrong to have an > external link within a blog post open in the same window. You're essentially > hijacking your own content—the stuff you want the person to read—with > related or supporting content on another site. Yes, that's what the Back > button is for, I know, but it seems more logical to collect open windows of > the external links rather than go back-and-forth. > > Honestly, it would be a relief to be wrong about this. It would save me a > whole lot of hassle adding _blank to HREFs, but I'm concerned about whether > or not most web users know at least one way to open a link in a new window > or tab manually, and if only some users know these shortcuts, it feels like > bouncing them back-and-forth is less effective than new windows. > > Again, happy to be wrong, so please, argue with me. > > -r- > ________________________________________________________________ > 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 > ________________________________________________________________ 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
