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]

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... 🙂

 

[Jason]

Some would argue that it is broken currently 😉 But we'll let the poll do the talking.

 

[Zen Mod]

well , I voted ;

leave it as is .

seems that poll is directing it , at least for now

 

[human.bin]

perhaps as mr evil 🙂 notes it does not open a new window currently. that is a specific and really annoying html command, like the pop-ups and what else...

i didn't understand at first so i voted wrong, is there a way to change the vote?

 

[AudioFreak]

The current functionality depends on which browser you use. In IE it opens a new window (that's more because IE is essentially a broken piece of junk that doesn't bother to abide by any reasonable standards), in any *real* browser it opens a new tab.

human.bin,
Let me know how you voted and how you wanted to vote and I will change it for you.

 

[Jason]

Well the votes spoke, 60/40 in favor of no change. Pretty close.

The votes rolled in very slowly I might add - 3 days up and only 90 or so votes. It will stay as it is, and perhaps develop the option to let a member set options for how they like it, later. Thanks for everyone's input.