One stormy day …

When I got more involved in blogging and this web2.0 stuff (Squidoo, HubPages, Swicki, etc.), I learned how to open links in a new window (the trusty target=”_blank” code) and have pretty much used it wherever I had a link and could add the code. It seems I’ve been a bad boy!

I did it because it mirrored how I surf. When I’m on a page/article and want to checkout an offered link, I prefer to open the link in a new window so I don’t lose my place where I’m reading. Since I prefer that, I assumed it was a right and proper thing to do. Also, I felt that I didn’t want to push readers away from my site/page by letting the browser move to the link. Wrong thinking, according to the web wonks! “You can’t hold readers captive!” “Readers will use the back button if they want to come back to you.” “Bad form!” … I had no idea I was treating my readers so poorly!

I’d heard that it was considered “poor technique” so I searched and have been doing some reading. It seems that opening a new window with a link has been considered “poor form” for some time, and is part of the culture for many. I can’t say that I’m fully persuaded by the arguments but I sure don’t want to tick off knowledgeable people by my link handling! I’m not alone in questioning the arguments that it is completely bad. Some liken it to pop-up windows but it’s not the same thing at all. I doubt that the average unsophisticated user gives it much thought. The more sophisticated user has a preference, but seems more like a style issue and I’m not sure why it escalates to good/bad? But, I’m not looking to swim upstream unnecessarily as I learn how to navigate the world of web page making. 

So, I’m in the process of reconsidering. Some of my choices:

• Open my links in a new window, as I have been doing and prefer.
• Open links in the same window, and conform to the conventional wisdom.
• Offer links both ways and let the reader choose, new window or same window (and more work for each link).
• Stop linking (not a real option).

Here are a couple of the better references I found:

• Real Lawyers Have Blogs (ignore the whole bet thing, it’s a nasty diversion from the issue). Open link   Open Link in new window  
• Beware of Opening Links in a New Window  By Neil Turner (from December 30th 2004, the old days in web terms) Open link   Open Link in new window