Which links should open a new tab / window?

[Jason]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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