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i want to click, but keep reading, so always go for open in another tab
"Opening up new browser windows is like a vacuum cleaner sales person who starts a visit by emptying an ash tray on the customer's carpet. Don't pollute my screen with any more windows, thanks (particularly since current operating systems have miserable window management).
"Designers open new browser windows on the theory that it keeps users on their site. But even disregarding the user-hostile message implied in taking over the user's machine, the strategy is self-defeating since it disables the Back button which is the normal way users return to previous sites. Users often don't notice that a new window has opened, especially if they are using a small monitor where the windows are maximized to fill up the screen. So a user who tries to return to the origin will be confused by a grayed out Back button.
"Links that don't behave as expected undermine users' understanding of their own system. A link should be a simple hypertext reference that replaces the current page with new content. Users hate unwarranted pop-up windows. When they want the destination to appear in a new page, they can use their browser's "open in new window" command -- assuming, of course, that the link is not a piece of code that interferes with the browser’s standard behavior."
In a browser that doesn't support tabs, I want my links to open in the same window. I get annoyed if new windows open when I click a link.
In a browser that supports tabs, and allows links with targets to open in a new tab, I prefer this behavior. I get annoyed if a link moves me off of the page I am currently on.
In other words, I want all links to open a new tab, but never in a new window.
However, I do realize that browsers have a modifier to force opening a link in a new window or tab, but no modifier to force the reverse. So, no matter what the preference, to err on the side of caution would be to not add a target to any href. Note that I don't do this on my blog. I'm thinking about it though.
I don't want to open a link and then get lost cuz you linked me to something interesting.
I want to be able to hit C-w a few times and end up back at your article. I don't want to have to navigate my browser history.
As for links in sidebars, I believe in a target="_blank" there.
To be honest though, I have trained myself to right click on all links and "Open in new tab" so it really doesn' t make that much of a difference what the author wanted. I am gonna get my tab whether they are purposely sticky or not.
As a writer in the past I have always had my outgoing links open in new windows, but I wonder if that is kind of jerkish of me.