Which links should open a new tab / window?

Jason · 26th September 2009, 03:37 PM

Currently all links in posts open a new window (or a new tab depending on your browser). Should it be this way?

With a modern browser such as FireFox you have control over where any link opens by holding down the shift key (new window) or ctrl key (new tab) before clicking on a link, or right clicking and choosing the option you like (new window, or new tab).

Do you like not having a choice? Is it convenient?

I understand this is quite a heated debate and from my limited research I've been told you all are quite happy with things how they are, but to sate my curiosity, why don't we just do a poll and start a flame war on web standards while we're at it? :)

Speedskater · 26th September 2009, 04:17 PM

Some of us are happy with having links open in a new window. This way it just happens with one click. No thought process or going to the keyboard required. I like reading forums using only the mouse's left button.

planet10 · 26th September 2009, 04:44 PM

I am very happy with links open new window/tab.

I find it annoying to click a link, go someplace, close the window because i'm done, and find that i have to go search out the thread i was reading.

My browser gives me the option (with a control-clik) to override that behavior anyway i'd like.

dave

tresch · 26th September 2009, 04:54 PM

by the way, middle-click (a click of the wheel) on most browsers does the same as control+click, but with that single-click convenience!

Geek · 26th September 2009, 11:27 PM

All links in new tab/window... puts the onus on my browser (which returns to the window that opened up the link in the first place), rather than me to keep track

Cheers!

cuibono · 27th September 2009, 01:15 AM

I've always really liked having separate tabs for things - helps me organize my different trains of thought. Keep it like it used to be!

And thanks for the upgrade - it was very smooth too!

peranders · 27th September 2009, 07:48 PM

If you are using an iPhone it's nice if there are new windows. I also like it when I'm using a normal Mac, sorry computer.

planet10 · 27th September 2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tresch

by the way, middle-click (a click of the wheel) on most browsers does the same as control+click, but with that single-click convenience!

Depends on how you have the mouse programmed... on my 4 button + scroll wheel mouse i have 2 buttons turned off, the other 2 to behave as primary & the scroll wheel only scrolls.

dave

Mr Evil · 28th September 2009, 01:11 AM

No links should open a new window/tab. Modern browsers give the user control over this, so there is no need for a website to impose its own rules.

kevinkr · 28th September 2009, 04:07 AM

I like it as is, as they say if it ain't broke why fix it? Good as is...

View Poll Results: Which links in forum posts should open a new tab / window?
None - I'll do it myself!	16	16.67%
Links to other websites should open a new window	13	13.54%
Links to other websites AND non-forum areas (eg: the wiki) should open a new window	12	12.50%
All links! (how things are currently)	55	57.29%
Voters: 96. You may not vote on this poll

26th September 2009, 03:37 PM	#1
Jason :) diyAudio Administrator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne Blog Entries: 1	Which links should open a new tab / window? Currently all links in posts open a new window (or a new tab depending on your browser). Should it be this way? With a modern browser such as FireFox you have control over where any link opens by holding down the shift key (new window) or ctrl key (new tab) before clicking on a link, or right clicking and choosing the option you like (new window, or new tab). Do you like not having a choice? Is it convenient? I understand this is quite a heated debate and from my limited research I've been told you all are quite happy with things how they are, but to sate my curiosity, why don't we just do a poll and start a flame war on web standards while we're at it? :)

26th September 2009, 04:17 PM	#2
Speedskater diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lakewood, Ohio	Some of us are happy with having links open in a new window. This way it just happens with one click. No thought process or going to the keyboard required. I like reading forums using only the mouse's left button. __________________ Kevin

26th September 2009, 04:44 PM	#3
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 3	I am very happy with links open new window/tab. I find it annoying to click a link, go someplace, close the window because i'm done, and find that i have to go search out the thread i was reading. My browser gives me the option (with a control-clik) to override that behavior anyway i'd like. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi

26th September 2009, 11:27 PM	#5
Geek GlassFET diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rosedale, BC Blog Entries: 4	All links in new tab/window... puts the onus on my browser (which returns to the window that opened up the link in the first place), rather than me to keep track Cheers! __________________ -= Gregg =- Hobby and communites: GeeK ZonE - Commercial site: classicvalve.ca - diyAudio Blog - GeeK's Bench


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

26th September 2009, 04:54 PM	#4
tresch diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	by the way, middle-click (a click of the wheel) on most browsers does the same as control+click, but with that single-click convenience!

27th September 2009, 01:15 AM	#6
cuibono diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: southren cali	I've always really liked having separate tabs for things - helps me organize my different trains of thought. Keep it like it used to be! And thanks for the upgrade - it was very smooth too! __________________ Tao called tao is not the everywhere tao.

27th September 2009, 07:48 PM	#7
peranders Electrons are yellow diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 3	If you are using an iPhone it's nice if there are new windows. I also like it when I'm using a normal Mac, sorry computer. __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me BPA300 Group Buy Round 4, SMD-kit and DRV134 pcb. Not too late to sign up. Sign up HERE

28th September 2009, 01:11 AM	#9
Mr Evil diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Behind you	No links should open a new window/tab. Modern browsers give the user control over this, so there is no need for a website to impose its own rules. __________________ http://mrevil.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

28th September 2009, 04:07 AM	#10
kevinkr Contributing diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 4	I like it as is, as they say if it ain't broke why fix it? Good as is... __________________ www.kta-hifi.net

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