target=_blank Standards on links?

[clp]

Hi-

I tried searching but couldn't find anything. Is there any standard or best practice on setting target=_blank for links? I know you don't want every link to open in a new window, but are there any stardard practices of when or when not to do this? I usually open any pdf file links in a new window....

I am very, very new at this...so links to reading materials are good- I am not up for buying yet another technical book at this time.

Thanks

clp

[dthurman1432]

I'm not really sure of your question is but target="_blank" is the standard in HTML to open a new window

[ninacababa]

Although there is no standard practice, I'm sure most internet users will agree that links are better in the same window unless they may need to be referred back to - for example, 2nd hand car website, car info opens in seperate window so that its kept safe while user carries on searching. Then at the end of surfing can refer back to his favoourites easily.

Otherwise its just unnecessary clutter. some people think that it keeps users on their sites but this is quite an old way of thinking as nowadays if a site is confusing or causes undue clutter there are plenty of less annoying alternatives. Not being able to use the BACK button is often a real pain.

Links to other sites should probably open in new windows providing theres only a few. If your site is loaded with links to other sites it may be an idea to give the alternative with a "open link in same window" and "open link in new window" option.

[Charles]

I'm not really sure of your question is but target="_blank" is the standard in HTML to open a new windowYeas and no. The "target" attribute is not a part of the current standard but we were nover asked to stop using it. Used with frames it is likely the best bet. To open a new window, JavaScript is prefered.

[clp]

Thanks-
Java script may be preferred, but everything I read says you need an alternative.
I will limit the use of target = _blank

Thanks again
clp

[felgall]

You are supposed to let youtr visitors decide when they want to open a new window. That is why target was removed from the standards.

[dthurman1432]

But it some cases you want to force them. And in that case it would be fine.

[Charles]

Except that forcing them is never fine.

[dthurman1432]

So forcing a user to fill in a field isn't ok either huh?

[Charles]

So forcing a user to fill in a field isn't ok either huh?That's a different matter altogether.

[dthurman1432]

Well one of the best things with web development is the fact that you can control what the user does and how they view your content.

[felgall]

Well one of the best things with web development is the fact that you can control what the user does and how they view your content.

One of the best things about web development is that your visitors always have complete control over what they do. You can't force them to do anything.

You supply the page content and SUGGESTIONS as to how it should display and function. Your visitors choose whether to go along with your suggestions or to make their own choices. If they want to they can override your stylesheet with their own to change the page appearance to the way they want. They can choose whether or not to allow Javascript to run and when they do allow it they can set up their own Javascripts to run after yours that have the final say on how the page works.

You can't force your visitors do do anything. If they don't know how to override your attempts to force them to do something that they don't want to do then they will leave your site and go somewhere that supplies equivalent content without trying to force them.

[dthurman1432]

Of course, I totally agreee with you on that one. Of course the user can have control in that manner. They can obviously just turn off their system all together and not view anything. But who ever freaks out when a page opens another that is relevant to the site (say a help page). I would say 1 out of 20 people on the web are actually trying to change there settings to alter the website their viewing besides size. And most people not even sure how to do that. This subject might be going a little to deap for someone just wanting to know if using target="_blank" is ok or not. Not sure about anyone else but I do this at a professional level and if someones site is so horrible that drives a viewer to another page even though it has the same content and yours was found first, then that person has found the wrong profession or hobby. And since the poster of this thread was curious about target="_blank" something tells me he's not building or in competition with the next ebay site.
To wrap things up, If you go to my website I control what you're looking at what you view after you login, what colors, what options, what pics, ...., ... . And if for some reason you leave because of my design or flow then maybe I'm in the wrong profession. Never have had any complaints though.