Posted by Benjamin Niemann on 10/30/06 15:42

Igal wrote:
> On Oct 30, 5:14 pm, Benjamin Niemann <p...@odahoda.de> wrote:
>> Yes, there is - somewhere in the configuration of those browsers that
>> support tabs. This way users can decide on their own, if they want to use
>> tabs or windows - whatever they like more.
>>
>> You don't need target='_blank' either - then the user will not be annoyed
>> by new tabs/windows, if they don't want them. If they want to open a link
>> in a new tab/window, it is just a click away, e.g. clicking with the
>> middle mousebutton or 'Open in new window/tab' of the context menu.
>
> generally you are right, the user should have 100% freedom in this
> case, if he wants to open the AD in a new tab, window, whatever.
> problem is most users don't really know how to use tabbed browsing, and
> probably be annoyed when pressing a link (with the left button) and the
> site they were browsing on disappears and instead some AD site takes
> it's place on browser screen. plus, at this point they leave My site,
> and go to the one i'm advertising.

One thing that even the most clueless surfer knows and
understands: "pressing a link (with the left button) and the site they were
browsing on disappears"
I don't think anyone gets annoyed by this (except for some webmasters).

But a clueless surfer might be annoyed or confused...

....if a new tab is opened, although he "don't really know how to use tabbed
browsing".

....if a new, maximized window is opened, hiding the other window, which is
not easily recognizable as being a new window and not having a working
backbutton, so they can't find the way back to you site, even if they
wanted to.

Of course this does only apply to the most clueless surfers. More
experienced users are fine with the freedom that you don't take away by not
using the target attribute.


--
Benjamin Niemann
Email: pink at odahoda dot de
WWW: http://pink.odahoda.de/

[Back to original message]