Showing IE users the love
It was pointed out that I should have my links open up pages in new browser windows. This would enhance the user experience of IE users who currently don’t have the benefits of tab browsing. One solution add the target=”_blank” to all my links. A seemingly simple solution. But after a little investigation I found out that the target attribute is invalid in XHTML 1.1 strict. A deal breaker, and something I did not know about the target attribute. Besides, I am not inclined to having to type out the target=_blank” everytime I want to post an entry with links. There has got to be a better way.
Well after a little searching I found a convenient WordPress plugin called Zap_NewWindow that makes your links that point to outside domains automatically open in a new window. I like it. A nice elegant solution that remains Web Standards compliant. Plus I don’t have to think about it when I post entries and links. Satisfies the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).
As a side note the open link in new window is not something I have really thought about for a long time. Because I use Safari or Firefox everyday, both browsers that support tabs, I unconsciously and instinctually right click on all links to “Open Link In New Tab”. Now if we could just get websites to stop using braindead Javascript to force links to go through hoops and thus break my ability to right click and open in new tabs.
Let’s move away from this kind of junk:
Javascript Based Links
I’m talking to you New York Times.
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March 19th, 2006 at 2:07 am
There is a high price to pay for zealotry. Thank the gods Jobs embraced the Intel tech… you too will be assimilated…
March 19th, 2006 at 2:08 am
And link your main image to home please…
March 19th, 2006 at 5:57 am
Oh, very awesome plug-in - thank you for finding it!
March 19th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Gordon, nice blog. On opening new windows… this is not necessarily a better user experience, in fact it is documented to be quite the opposite. Opening new windows conceals what is beneath them and can ultimately disorient and confuse users. This is one of the major reasons the web standards project does not support this method in their XHTML strict guidelines. Although you can make the case where this is helpful (i.e. help windows, maps, brief contextual exploration where a small window doesn’t conceal the user’s focus) the vast majority of users will benefit from a link functioning consistently. Also consider warning users when links lead them away from your site. Descriptive link labels such as Go see my photos at http://www.flicker.com can help do this.