About Us

Bulletpoint StarImulus® is a technology focused design + interactive agency.

In addition to our client services we also have a few products in the works. Our office is always filled with chatter and this blog is an outlet for our creative energy, rants and ideas.

Search

Podium

StacksStacks ®
A group task management solution that finally makes sense.

Sign Up For A Free Trial »

Latest Quick Links

Featured Project

Featured Project

Feb27

External Links: New Windows or Not

300px-external1In the spirit of my post about the HOME button, I’ve also decided to take on the question of linking visitors from site A –> B. It’s my honest belief that a website shouldn’t trap the user by tossing all external links into a new browser window. To my surprise when I posted this question question to the LinkedIN community an overwhelming number of comments were in favor of popping up new windows for any links which take the user outside of the main site.

I believe I can break web users into two major groups;

Shorties – Those who are savvy and understand how to use shortcuts.

Mousers – Those who rely only on left-mouse clicks and are still learning how to use the right mouse button.

I don’t believe we should cater to the Mousers. There is a browser back button for a reason; to return you to the page you were just on. I’m not buying the bullshit argument that users will click on a link and forget how to get back to your site. I do however think that when you force new windows upon the user you run a greater risk of the user closing your site, in which case they lose the ability to click BACK.

Let’s just agree to keep it consistent and stop the madness of new browser windows UNLESS the user willingly right-clicks or opens them in a new tab…..by choice.

posted in: usability, web design, web development, web standards

This post was published on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Leave a comment


Comments

1

Gumby

February 27, 2009 at 11:49 pm

I completely agree George! I am vehemently against new windows.

I hate standard "industry best practice" logic that new window creators use to defend themselves and keep users on your site to screw with analytics and lie to themselves about the quality of their content.

However, I want to make a confession. I just asked our programmer to have links open in new windows from the "dashboard" section of our site.

There's philosophy quoted on my whiteboard, comparison charts drawn on tabloid paper, diagrams and examples scribbled on windows, and M&Ms arranged on the counter to defend my position against new windows.

I am NO better than them. My logic is not more sound nor more valid than theirs… My gut (along with my colleagues) told me to do it. Nothing more.

2

BruceClark

March 3, 2009 at 2:17 am

There is one golden rule I strongly encourage be followed when it comes to creating a website. It's very simple:

The website is welcome to do what it wants within your browser window, but NOTHING more.

This means:
- Websites should never pop up a window to explain something (use lightbox, tool tips, or show/hide ajax)
- Websites should never change your browser window size
- Websites should never create a new window that takes you away from your active one

There is a reason the W3C has made XHTML strict invalid when using a target=blank declaration. People who use the internet need to realize that they have control over their browser and no one else, and this should (and is trying to be) standard. I.E. People need to stop whining about users being taken away from their site. If the user left your site and they liked it they'll go back. Or, they'll choose on their own to open the site in a new window. If they aren't used to this yet, sooner or later they will be.

Users got used copy/paste, users got used to Google search, they even got used to the Windows "Start" button leading them to shut down their computer. Users aren't dumb, they just need to a bit of time to learn. Sometimes people just won't start learning how much better something can be until they are forced to see it.