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As a user, assuming by "new window" he also means "new tab", I would always prefer external links to open in a new tab. I don't want to click a link half way th

by Lockyy 15y ago

As a user, assuming by "new window" he also means "new tab", I would always prefer external links to open in a new tab. I don't want to click a link half way through an article and suddenly have the new page replace my current one. Because hey, I was reading that. If he is specifically talking about arguing against opening in a new window as opposed to a new tab then I'm behind him 100%. Why would you even do that? It makes no sense. I would be interested in clarification however. And if he is arguing against opening new tabs, why? Edit: Unless he is talking about a pre-tab era?

icebraining 15y ago
As a user, I like to remain in control of whether it should open on a new tab or not. I hate sites that decide for me.
- Lockyy 15y ago
  After both your posts I just realised that yes, it is better to let it overwrite the page, because the option is there for the user to override this with the middle-click. I've middle clicked all links for so long that I didn't even think about the fact I was choosing to open things in a new tab. Thanks for changing my mind.
jackalope 15y ago
As you hint in your own response, it's a personal preference (and some browsers will even let you set it). I think it's a good convention that clicking a link replaces the current page, since it was established in the pre-tab/pre-multiple window era and thus follows the principle of least surprise. Besides, you'd be amazed at the number of users that don't know how to close tabs, so it's a bit more resource-friendly to abandon the last page (especially on tablets). That said, I tend to middle-click links so they open in new tabs if I don't want to lose my place (especially here on HN), and I'm happy to have that option. I have no idea what tablet users can do in that situation. On my Android phone, I make heavier use of the back button, history and bookmarks compared to my desktop surfing.
- pavedwalden 15y ago
  On at least one Android browser I've used, holding my finger on a link for a second or two pops up an option to open the link in a new window.

by Lockyy 15y ago

icebraining 15y ago

As a user, I like to remain in control of whether it should open on a new tab or not. I hate sites that decide for me.

Lockyy 15y ago
After both your posts I just realised that yes, it is better to let it overwrite the page, because the option is there for the user to override this with the middle-click. I've middle clicked all links for so long that I didn't even think about the fact I was choosing to open things in a new tab. Thanks for changing my mind.

jackalope 15y ago

As you hint in your own response, it's a personal preference (and some browsers will even let you set it). I think it's a good convention that clicking a link replaces the current page, since it was established in the pre-tab/pre-multiple window era and thus follows the principle of least surprise. Besides, you'd be amazed at the number of users that don't know how to close tabs, so it's a bit more resource-friendly to abandon the last page (especially on tablets). That said, I tend to middle-click links so they open in new tabs if I don't want to lose my place (especially here on HN), and I'm happy to have that option. I have no idea what tablet users can do in that situation. On my Android phone, I make heavier use of the back button, history and bookmarks compared to my desktop surfing.

pavedwalden 15y ago
On at least one Android browser I've used, holding my finger on a link for a second or two pops up an option to open the link in a new window.