I read recently that it was now considered "gauche" or even "unethical" to use target="_blank".

I don't understand. I often have a multitude of windows open at once, and I *appreciate it* when a site has target blank set up (although these days I right click--open in new window most of the time anyway).

What gives?

I think its mostly personal preference. I, too, like having my links open in new windows/tabs. So I utilize that option for most of my links.

I'm using Mozilla Firebird, and the Tabbed Browsing Extension lets me open any link with target="_blank" in a new tab. I love that, because it keeps the focus on the site that I'm reading, and loads the new link in the background. This is ideal for reading/doing a lot of things at once

Kristine

On my blog, all [external] links open into a new window. This is convenient for me because I use my blogroll as a launchpad for viewing other sites, keeping two windows open at all times (both slightly smaller than the screen).

I did have someone tell me that this was 'wrong' (actually, it was at a blogging meeting at Harvard, led by Dave Winer). In the end, I decided to keep it as is. It's my site, after all, and anyone who minds too much can read it through an RSS reader, or not read it at all.

I've noticed Javascript on some blogs that allows the user to decide whether or not new links open in the same, or a new, window.

[edited]

I hate when URLs popup in a new window (most particularly when it is a URL that's internal to the site, not an external URL; less so on things like popup comments because those I expect).

Right now I already have six browser windows open: two for this forum (one for replying to posts, one for forum searches), one for my MT, one for my site, one for a project I'm involved with, and the sixth is for browsing links (usually I also have a second one for that, for a total of seven). Then I have my email program and text editor open.

I don't want someone else deciding for me whether or not another browser window is going to be spawned; so I right-click on a link, copy it and paste into my browsing window. I don't even take the chance that another one is going to open that I don't really want.

I think it's really a matter of personal preference. I sometimes will open pages in a new browser window so that I can come back and read them later while I continue surfing. However, it can be annoying sometimes when I don't want it. I only use it on my blog for the sites in my blogroll and for links posted in comments.

The problem with using target="_blank" is that you've removed your user's choice where they want to open the window. They are forced into a new window whether they want it or not (although apparently you can configure some browsers to put them into a new tab).

If you leave it up to the user, they can open the link in the same window, a new window or, on browsers that support it, a new tab--I use all three options depending on the situation. But it's the user's choice where the link opens (I'm pro-choice that way.)

There are legit target="_blank" situations. Links from small, fixed-size windows (MT's "Rebuild" window or Comment/Trackback popups) don't make sense to open in the same window, of course.

One technical note, above and beyond the debate about the etiquette of opening in a new window: if you do choose to do so, you shouldn't use target="new". This doesn't mean "open in a new window," it means "open in a window called new," which will only be a new window if there's not already an open window with that name.

Same goes for target="blank" without the underscore. It won't open a new window for each link, but will open a single window caled blank.

So if another site has already opened a window called new or blank, your page will load into that window. This can be very confusing for the user.

You should either use a name specific to your site (like target="staggernation"), in which case all pages spawned from your site (but not other sites) will load into that window, or target="_blank", making sure to include the underscore.

Most of you probably know this already, but it's clear from the widespread use of new and blank that there's a fair amount of confusion about this, so I thought I'd point it out.

As for the etiquette question, I personally think it's best only to open into a new window when there's some compelling reason to do so: for instance, you're in a small popup window where other pages won't fit (i.e. comments); or it's an offsite link on your commercial site and you have a business mandate not to direct people off your site; or you're in the middle of a persistent multi-page transaction (a series of forms) that might get invalidated if another page opens in the same window.

Otherwise, it seems like all those users who want to make use of multiple windows would know how to Shift-click or Command-click or drag a link to a different window, so they can decide for themselves.

Why not use Firebird? At max I have two windows open. Middle-click (not copying and pasting) opens a new tab. Also, I can choose whether or not links to new windows open in current window or a new one. Don't let someone else decide for you. Decide for yourself

ciaran

I don't have a middle button - I've got this big blue trackball instead.

What can I say? I like IE. I've tried other browsers, and I keep coming back.

Hey Girlie, since you like Internet Explorer so much, you might see if Avant Browser is helpful -- its just IE with a few additions, including tabbed browsing and popup blocking. While I like Moz and Firebird more, if I was still using IE, I'd definately go for this version of it!

Hey thanks for all the opinions on the matter, folks.

I've taken it under advisement and I'll modify the way I do things to be more selective in my use of the codes. Staggernation had a good idea I'm going to use--naming one "new" window for your page and having most things open in that. Not bad.

Maybe in the future I'll implement the Javascript that lets users decide how links open.

Thanks, K - I'll check out Avant!

Does anyone have any advice for how to force the focus into the new up window, but still only make 1 brand new window, no matter how many iterations?
Let's make sure I understand what happens

1.
<a href="url" target="_blank">open a window</a>
<a href="url2" target="_blank">open another window</a>
will open a new window for each link, so we're left with 3 windows, the original and 1 window with web page 'url' and another with web page 'url2'

2.
<a href="url" target="blank">open a window</a>
<a href="url2" target="blank">load into the same window</a>
will initially open a new window called 'blank' which contains web page 'url', and the computer's focus will be in that new window. If the user leaves it alone, goes back to the original window and clicks the second link, the popped up window will now contain web page 'url2', but it may appear that nothing happens because the original window covers up the popped up window.

So how do I keep screen clutter to a minimum and only pop up new windows when they're actually needed, but still get the desired window to show on top of the original calling window?

I've noticed this especially with some pages that use paypal. I add an item to the shopping cart, so I get a new window for the shopping cart. It's sometimes smaller than the original window, so when I'm done with it I just click on empty space in the original window, which then pops up to the top, covering up the shopping cart.
I continue shopping, find something else to buy, click 'add to cart' and I don't see anything happening. I keep clicking 'add to cart', then when I finally see the shopping cart icon on my task bar and click it it turns out that I'm now buyin 10 copies of whatever item I clicked on multiple times.

1. http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/2006...ipt_version_12/

2. http://www.google.com/search?q=target+href+focus+new+window

Sorry for the brevity.