I initially had an expletive after the title, but decided against using it. I'm trying to put forth a visage of intelligence and charisma, right? (Why do I always start my posts with some ridiculous anecdote, then?)
To the point: Wil over at WIL WHEATON dot NET was commenting on some different RSS goodies and had some added comments about coding pop-up/blank windows into his links:
Many people ask me why I don't use target="_blank" in my links. So many, in fact, that I really should add it to the FAQ. The answer is, "because it's just as easy to right-click (or ctl-click, if you're a machead) to open links in new windows, most browswers can be set to open links in background tabs or windows anyway, and I'm too lazy to type it into every link."
The follow-up, of course, is, "Well, then why don't you just put make"_blank" the base link?"
To which I reply, "Because I don't want to. So there. Nyahh." (via give the propeller a spin)
The follow-up, of course, is, "Well, then why don't you just put make"_blank" the base link?"
To which I reply, "Because I don't want to. So there. Nyahh." (via give the propeller a spin)
I agree with him on the reasons he gives, but the post became a catalyst for a small rant of my own:
I rather dislike target="_blank" because after much use on my own website (especially at the beginning in stevenfettig.com v. 1), I realized it was done out of ego - not out of help to the visitor (at least this is my own psychoanalysis of it). It is done because I never want people to leave my site. After having gone to too many other sites that use the same technique, I got extremely annoyed. I know how to use the back button, key commands, mouse button, etc. dammit! Plus, you are the one showing off the link - let it be. Let me go there and decide to come back through my own volition! I would much rather have people stay on my page or come back willfully than because I made them do so. Plus, I have such a disdain for pop-ups that I loath them in every shape and form. (Substitute loath with hate, abhor, can't stand, curse, deprecate, deride, despise... you get the point.) sigh You ought make the visit enjoyable. Make people want to come back because of what you offer, not because of a little technical trickery.
I feel better now. Thanks, Wil, for helping me get this off my chest.
Comments (2)
Steve,
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Using target="_blank" is something that should only be used if you have a large web application and the users need to keep one of your pages open for info while they have another browser window open for filling out a form (much like I'm doing right now with this comment).
Using target="_blank" for simple links to other sites is an abuse of this tool. Like you said, it's plain ego, and with all the garbage on the internet already, there's just no room on the internet for such behavior in my opinion.
This actually goes to the core of one of my strongest beliefs when it comes to programming which is; don't take all the control away from the user!!! I think you and I have discussed this in the past, Steve, and I'm pretty sure we agree on this.
As an application developer, I've been fortunate to be able to see programming from a programmers standpoint as well as an end user's standpoint. What I've learned is that when developing I.T. applications, you have to come up with a perfect balance of automation and control. The more automation, the less control the users have. If there's not enough automation then the users end up wasting time doing busy work and the program serves no purpose. But if you have too much automation, then the users are at your mercy as the developer, which is fine if your goal is to rob people of their money, but not so good if you're trying to make people happy.
I could go on for hours on this in graphic detail, but I won't. I'm looking forward to the next post though. :)
"There's no emoticon for what I'm feeling right now!!!" - Comic Book Store Guy
Posted by Anders | January 14, 2004 9:09 AM
Posted on January 14, 2004 09:09
I think this might not be an important issue. Users do not like pop-ups that they do not request, but whether you open a page on a new window or not when actually clicked on is just a matter of preference. I like a spearate window. Especially if I am looking for information or researching. If I click on a link in the middle of what I am reading, a pop-up works just as nice as not. It's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. I use it all the time for offsight links and information links about a product and most any type of lists that a user might want to go down. I have had no complaints. I am putting up a forum and might ask my users their opinion on this just for the sake of argument.
Posted by Frank | May 24, 2004 12:58 PM
Posted on May 24, 2004 12:58