[Web4lib] Hyperlinks to other locations

[Dave McLaughlin]

I agree. Beyond accessibility concerns, many users new to computers often
get confused when new windows open. They get frustrated when the back button
in this new window does not take them back to the page from which they came.

Many experienced users also do not like when websites open new windows,
since we have control of that ourselves. They feel like the website is
hijacking their computer, not to mention that the opening of new windows is
associated with the much scorned pop-up ads.

My personal feelings say that you should only open a new window when you're
offering some info or interaction where the user is not intending to leave
the page. Perhaps you're popping up an explanation or definition or popping
up a quick form for them to fill out.

Thanks,
Dave

-- 
Dave McLaughlin
Web Services Manager
Harford County Public Library
1221-A Brass Mill Road
Belcamp, MD 21017
410-273-5600 x2274
mclaughlind at hcplonline.info



On 3/29/10 12:09 PM, "Walker, David" <dwalker at calstate.edu> wrote:

> Everything I've read [1] says that, for accessibility reasons (including ADA
> compliance), you should *not* open links in new windows.  Our own (internal)
> accessibility guidelines require that.
> 
> --Dave
> 
> [1] one of many examples:
> http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day_16_not_opening_new_windows.html
> 
> ==================
> David Walker
> Library Web Services Manager
> California State University
> http://xerxes.calstate.edu
> ________________________________________
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On
> Behalf Of Cary Gordon [listuser at chillco.com]
> Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 4:53 PM
> To: Jennifer O'Donnell
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Hyperlinks to other locations
> 
> We recommend that external links open in another widow or tab.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Cary
> 
> On Sat, Mar 27, 2010 at 12:41 PM, Jennifer O'Donnell
> <jennifer.s.odonnell at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> Sorry for the cross-posting. We are currently transferring our website to
>> Drupal.  We have many hyperlinks that direct patrons from our website to
>> other locations/sites.  We are trying to determine whether these outside
>> sites should open in the same window or whether a new window/tab should be
>> created.  As a new librarian, I am wondering whether current practice
>> suggests one practice over the other?
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> Jennifer
>> _______________________________________________
>> Web4lib mailing list
>> Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Cary Gordon
> The Cherry Hill Company
> http://chillco.com
> 
> 
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