Does anyone know of a best practice or have thoughts on opening PDFs from a hyperlink? There seem to be 2 major methods for opening PDFs:
1) User clicks on hyperlink, PDF automatically opens in new browser window, via Plugin. Ref: http://www.ge.com/investors/financial_reporting/index.html 2) User clicks on hyperlink, browser dialog asks user whether they want to 'open', 'save', or 'cancel' the action. Ref: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=107357&p=irol-sec Either can be achieved, but which is better? One could make the case for a 'seamless' browsing experience by not having a dialog interrupt the hyperlink action; but I wonder if this is invalid as we are opening a new document type (not hypertext). Utilizing the dialog box may be helpful for the user, as it makes it clear that a user is launching a new document type or application, and gives options to save for later, or cancel; but it requires an additional decision and action on the part of the user. The best guidance I have found up to this point suggests that dialog boxes be retained when a user is opening a file (pdf): http://www.useit.com/alertbox/open_new_windows.html So, whether the link helps the user to anticipate opening a PDF or file (via icon or file extension) -- which is better, browser dialogs, or just open a new window? Thanks, Ben Woods ________________________________________________________________ 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
