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Posted by Stan McCann on 01/09/06 04:23
Jose <teacherjh@aol.nojunk.com> wrote in
news:_ygwf.1496$Bs4.1261@newssvr31.news.prodigy.com:
>> Yes, I have the same opinion for pdf files.
> It wasn't clear to me what opinion that was. I agree they should be
> identified as PDF. Beyond that...
The opinion being discussed, as I read it, was whether or not to use
target=whatever to open windows *for* the user. My opinion (opening
new window for html) is there is not a valid reason to open a new
window for a page since the user can do it if the user wishes. If they
don't know how to do it their preferred way, they will learn if it's
easy enough, pay for a fix if annoyed enough, they will gripe
otherwise.
My opinion (opening new window for pdf) is there is not a valid reason
to open a new window for this either. There is not a valid reason to
force a download either.
>
> They should...
> 1: not use any tricks at all? (giving the most control to the
> user, but leaving the default clicking action up to the browser,
> which will probably open it in the same window, which is probably an
> unpleasant surprise)
>
> 2: use the target="_blank" attribute (as reccomended by some)
> making the default action one which preserves the old window (while
> opening the new one, which if closed because it's thought of as an
> app, won't surprise the user by taking him off the web)? Users can
> still trick click if they want to download (though I don't think
> many browsers let you trick click into an existing window)
>
> 3: use some other trick?
>
> (All the above presuming that the links are in fact identified as
> PDF files)
I have a pdf extension installed so I get asked whether to download a
file, view in a tab, or a window, or cancel. A tab/window control
extension is installed so the windows that author's try to open, open
in the active tab.
Many user's don't know enough to use beyond what's already installed
and will only gripe rather than venture into the unknown of extensions
or software installations. They are still trying to beat the window
open stuff griping each time they lose their back button. They
download that huge pdf they don't want just to see one paragraph. And
they had to pay Uncle Whatshisname to come over to install Adobe for
the privilege of wasting their dial-up time.
Yet, some plug their ears and sing la-la-la to avoid hearing the user's
gripe. They continue to link to pdfs and use tricks to try to open new
windows and make them full screen.
I have a simple rule. Don't force the user to have what *you* think
they should have. Fifteen years of taking care of users have taught me
that. Have you ever heard "Why'd you install MS Office? I only use
WordPerfect" even though the answer is that it was mandated from up
above? Sometimes, it's easier to just uninstall MS Office and let up
above deal with the why. Then install it when it is their idea.
>
> Jose
--
Stan McCann "Uncle Pirate" http://stanmccann.us/pirate.html
Webmaster/Computer Center Manager, NMSU at Alamogordo
http://alamo.nmsu.edu/ There are 10 kinds of people.
Those that understand binary and those that don't.
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