EBlog
Friday Poll: Do you like it when web sites open links in new windows automatically?
May 30, 2008 | Posted by: Nicholas
I love it when a plan comes together. A co-worker (actually, my boss) and I were talking about whether it's Oscar Kilo for web site links to be programmed to open new browser windows (not pop-ups, just whole new windows) or whether this decision should be left to the site visitor. One of us thought the former, the other, the latter. And thus, a Friday Poll got its wings.
The discussion centered around whether the average site visitor (don't you have that term?) is sophisticated enough to open links in new windows themselves or whether only sophisticated internet geniuses do this.
So, tell me, which do you prefer? Do you like it when web sites open links in new windows for you? Are you a sophisticated internet genius or just an average site visitor? (See, you hate that term now, don't you?)
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Categorized in: Observations and Random Musings
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Comments
May 30 2008 - 05:19 PM | by Andrew Wright
New Tab: YES! The X is easier than the back button.
June 01 2008 - 05:38 PM | by Lee Erickson
Interesting enough Jacob Nielsen recommends replacing current content with new content. His research indicates that that’s what users expect.
The exception being when you open a PDF or non-HTML document.
I’ve not seen UE expert that disagrees with this.
The original research is from 1999 (but was reviewed in his latest book from 2006). I’m not sure Nielsen is looking at “seasoned” users however.
I’d suggest that might be more related to whether you find what you want in the new link or want to go back. If a new window is opened then I retain position in the original site where I deviated off in search of something else. I can go further into that site without worrying whether I’ll loose the original page.
So, does your preference change depending on what you find?