Feature request - open links in new window/tab

Jenava

Hi Greg, I know we've chatted r.e. this before, but I'm giving it another bash. Hey, maybe I'm in the minority here in my preference. When I click on a link from a post, I'm not "hyperlinking" through the internets; I want to view and return to where I left off. But I forget that I need to right-click>open in new page for every link, and often I end up losing my spot and having to open a new window and browse back to where I left off...it's so irritating to me that I'm finally posting...hoping you'll consider changing the default for link-following to opening a new window be default. I know it's your site and I promise I'll be satisfied with your final say, but I did want to ask once more. (-:

Sincerely,
Jenava

12 years ago

Technical Support

3 replies

Latest reply was from Greg

Greg

Administrator

Yes, I have had this conversation many times.

In the current situation people can choose to open links in a new window by shift clicking (Windows) or Cmd-clicking (Mac). Or, as you mentioned, you can also right click and choose the "Open Link in New Window" option.

I know that is a little inconvenient, but here's the problem:

If I make links open new windows by default, then other people who DON'T want that behavior will have no way at all to make the link open in the same window. If they right click, there is no option to "Open the Link in the Same Window" and there is no Cmd-click combination to open the link in the same window. Everyone will be forced to always open links in new windows, regardless of their preference.

Only the current approach supports people with both preferences.

I have considered making this a setting, but decided against it because that might be confusing.

If you can think of another way that supports both preferences then please let me know.

12 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

OK, I understand your logic...I guess I would say that we need to do some kind of study to see which way people most often expect it to function. (-: This is the Product Manager in me talking now...hehe...

Just today, I opened the link to the J. Crew bunnies ad and when I used my back button I was sent to the top of the blog page and had to scroll down to continue reading (which I didn't do, because really I should be getting ready for work anyway)...

I cannot for the life of me remember to cmd-click when browsing links...I always remember right AFTER I click.

12 years ago

Greg

Administrator

Just to be pedantic, as long as there is even a minority of people who don't want to open new pages, we could not make new pages the default. The key point here is that current approach at least allows everyone to get what they need (although new pages are a little less convenient). When new pages are the default everyone who doesn't want that has no way at all to do things their way.

But even if it wasn't for this dealbreaker I doubt we would make new pages the default. Although it is convenient in some situations it really isn't the way people expect web pages to function.

BTW, this article is a very good exposition of all the issues (5 years old, but the points are still relevant today):

http://uxdesign.smashingmagazi.....w-windows/

I know what you mean about remembering to cmd-click though.

12 years ago

Category