Shooting at Bubbles - Latest Comments in I really want my readers opinion on this

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

ontarioemperor — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:31:29 -0000

Steven, I'm sure this helped you in your decision! As for me, I'm a new tab/new window person. Since there are passionate views on both sides of this issue, I guess the safest thing is to open in the same window, and follow Duncan's advice re manually opening things in a new window/tab on a case by case basis.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Mark Trapp — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:51:15 -0000

acedanger, looks like disqus handled the URL poorly, should be: http://www.useit.com/alertb...

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

acedanger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:38:33 -0000

Mark, I got a 404 on the link.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

acedanger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:37:26 -0000

I like links to open in a new tab, so I can continue reading (or whatever I'm doing) the rest of the page before I move onto whatever was linked.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Sasha Kovaliov aka nlupus — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:36:16 -0000

prefer when it opens in the same tab, as I can always open any link in background by pressing middle mouse button or pressing ctrl+shift. a new window is a sucker imo.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Kevin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:11:22 -0000

In a new tab. That way I can continue to work in the existing window while the new tab (window) continues to load and when I am done with the existing window I can move to the new tab and work with it.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

James — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:06:35 -0000

I have my browser configured to open all pop-ups in a new tab.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Carsten — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:11:16 -0000

Same window. If I want links to open in a new tab/window I want it to be a conscious decision by me. All points raised by Mark Trapp are valid, too.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Richard Cunningham — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:48:22 -0000

The same window I guess because I select a new tab with middle click if I want one (which I often do). Though thinking aloud, in FriendBinder, I make external links go to new tab/window and internal links stay in the same window - so I would be interested to see if I should change that.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Chris Pirillo — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:07:42 -0000

Doesn't matter to me, really. :)

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Duncan Riley — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:29:54 -0000

Same window. Nothing worse than a new window opening, and if I want a new window (or a new tab which I regularly do) I can right click and do it on a case by case basis

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

gregory — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:59:36 -0000

large parts of the world have a slow connection

i want to click, but keep reading, so always go for open in another tab

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

jonsterling — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:38:39 -0000

I don't care really, because I always middle-click links, to open them in a new tab. I guess, if I had to choose I would pick the same window, so like Mark Trapp says, it doesn't break the back button. Anyway, if a site is worth staying on, I will open any links in a new tab, so it probably won't make a difference either way.

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.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Mark Trapp — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:45:18 -0000

Same window, for a few reasons: 1) you don't break the back button. 2) You let me control how I want to view your content, and 3) what Jakob Nielsen says about it (url: http://www.useit.com/alertb...

"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."

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

toddmck — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:41:15 -0000

I strongly agree with Daniel as well. I wonder if that would make for an interesting way to design a poll - along the lines of "agree", "strongly agree", etc. It could be that the (current) minority who prefer control feel somewhat passionate about it.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Corvida Raven — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:02:26 -0000

New tab for me. I don't like having so many windows crowding my taskbar. Though it is easier for me to remember the keyboard shortcut to switch windows rather than switch tabs.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Julian Baldwin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:55:41 -0000

Same window. More important to my browsing experience is "cool iris previews"

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Phil Glockner — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:53:49 -0000

As you know, I have a very similar question on my blog poll rotation. Along with a bunch of stupid questions ;). My answer is more complex than simply "new window" or "same window". These are my preferences:

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.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

webomatica — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:50:13 -0000

Same window. CHeck out any major site - cnet, new york times, google, all results link to same window. My philosophy is - that's the default behavior of a link - a href is same window. To make it different means adding something which means it's altering the default behavior.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

michaeltwofish — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:07:23 -0000

I strongly agree with Daniel. I believe the default should be to open in the same window. If I want to stay on the same page, I can choose to open the link in a new tab. It's the only way that the user has complete control.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

felix — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:13:51 -0000

I, generally, like for links to stay in the same window. This gives me the option of cmd-clicking them into a new tab or whatever if that's the behaviour I want. If they always open in a new window it removes my ability to control where they go. However, if it is a site I primarily use on my iPhone, I sometimes like to specify new window.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Mike Fruchter — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:50:37 -0000

My personal preference is for all external links to open in a new window or tab. I subscribe to this practice.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Shey — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:35:11 -0000

Ditto.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Matik72 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:15:42 -0000

I like the threaded ideal of tabbed browsing.

Re: I really want my readers opinion on this

Rahsheen — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:11:58 -0000

I want everything to open in a new window/tab because I don't want to lose what I'm reading. My take is that you included the link at a specific point in your post to help me understand what you're writing about.

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.