New Windows

[filkertom]

Serious question: When I post a link, I usually use the "_blank" modifier, so it will open in a new window or tab. Does this bug you? And, if so, why?

ETA: For the people asking how to do it -- as jss1113 mentions below, the HTML to open a new window is: <a href="http://www.yourwebpage.com" target="_blank">

Opening a new tab, rather than a new window, is a function of your browser settings. The usual setting in Firefox is to have a middle-button click on the URL open it in a new tab.

And... a number of people below mention the primary reason I do it: so that you're still at this page, for any number of reasons -- consistent browsing environment, so you can comment here, whatever. In these heady days of infinite browser tabs, I find it much easier to have an extra tab or three open than to use multiple Back commands, or work my way through the History and try to remember what the title of a given page was....

Comments

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

It doesn't bug me, but I usually middle-click links so they open up in new tabs anyway.

[jss]

Ditto on both counts.

I don't even notice...

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

Because I have two windows open. The right one, from which I read LJs, and the left one, which I use for links and reading (or making) Replies.

So, no. _blank doesn't bother me - I do the same thing in my own LJ.

[trdsf.livejournal.com]

Hadn't even noticed. I always right-click and open in a new tab anyway, because I hate having links open in a new window… it just became a habit, from trying to pull information from ill-behaved corporate sites.

[ruisseau.livejournal.com]

I always middle click links, so I don't notice. :)

[fractalwolf.livejournal.com]

I have mentally blessed you every time I accidentally click (instead of right-click) on one of your links and realize it's opening in a new window anyway. :} I wish that was the default for automatically formatted links in LJ!

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

Same here. New window good.

[peachtales.livejournal.com]

I like it that way!

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Doesn't bother me cause it doesn't do anything on my machine. But normally I open a new tab when I read these things so I did a normal click and nothing special happened.

[hsifyppah.livejournal.com]

Mildly. It's easy for me to spawn a new tab or window when I want one, and when I don't, I expect the link to use the current one, so having _blank set makes me take an extra step. But there are so many sites out there with crappy design that limits my control of my own browsing in more serious ways (resizing windows, flash sites you can't link to, blah blah blah) that it's a pretty minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things.

[folk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what hsifyppah said.

[alymid.livejournal.com]

I prefer it that way.

[ladyoceanstar.livejournal.com]

I prefer it! I used Firefox, and I love the tabs. I like having links pop up in new tabs. :-)

[lothie.livejournal.com]

I generally assume people DON'T do that and so open in another window anyway. I personally appreciate when that's done, but it makes others curse and stamp.

[jonnorthwood.livejournal.com]

It's what I do with all my links. I prefer it, personally.

[morpheus0013.livejournal.com]

I always link things like that as well, and I prefer it. It sort of drives me nuts when people DON'T do it.

[gryphons.livejournal.com]

Nah it doesn't bug me.. it's actually quite helpful.. thank you.

[gridlockjoe.livejournal.com]

Bring on the "_blank"! Although I will usually middle-click to get a new tab anyway.

[ericthemage.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing.

[archiver-tim.livejournal.com]

Guess I'm old fashioned, I Shift + normal (left) click to get new windows for links in LJ, so I don't have to reassemble the current LJ page.

I like it, thanks

[capplor.livejournal.com]

Usually, I see something like that, and it's in the middle of my "friends" page, so I either remember to shift-click, or end up saying, "What ELSE was it I wanted to see?"

[poltr1]

I usually right-click and open stuff in a new window anyway, so it doesn't bug me.

I should start doing that with my lnks.

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

90+% of the time, I do want the link to open in a new window, but I have my fingers trained pretty well anyway. The other 10% of the time, when I was done with the page I was on and actually wanted to move over, it annoys me when the linker has decided he knows better than I how to manage my browser. Granted, it doesn't annoy me anywhere near as much as Javascript in place of a link that does what it feels like without respecting how I clicked and how my browser settings say to handle new links. But it strikes me as a tiny bit arrogant, sort of sending the message that the referring page is clearly too important to replace with the linked page.

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

Not only does this not bug me, I appreciate it. It makes my life easier to have the link open in a new tab. Otherwise I keep closing my LJ friend page tab by mistake after following a link.

[mdlbear]

It bugs me. I normally middle-click to open a link in a new tab; when I left-click it's because I'm done with the page I'm looking at and want to follow the link in the same tab. It's annoying when sites break the default behavior.

[ladypoetess.livejournal.com]

I prefer my links to open in new tabs, generally, so I like it this way.

[gypsy1969.livejournal.com]

I prefer the new window, it keeps my reading flow.

[sydb42.livejournal.com]

I usually open links into a new tab anyway, but if I accidentally forget I definitely appreciate it when the link does that anyway. So no, it not only doesn't bug me, but I consider it a feature! ;)