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Re: PDF Default Behavior

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From: Waltenberger, Lon (LNI)
Date: Mar 20, 2009 1:00PM

Well, I'll be danged...thanks for correcting me.

The decision I mentioned was made prior to Jakob's change of mind in
2005. I must've missed that Alertbox issue.

The linked Alertbox notes 4 guidelines for linking to non-Web documents.
If one decides to open a new browser window, I think the most important
of these is to also warn the users in advance.

That warning is especially important to those who use assistive
technologies such as screen readers and, especially, screen magnifiers.
If someone is zoomed in and a pop-up or other new window opens they may
not get a clue that a new window opened and then not be aware of any
changes.

When screen readers list links, the only way the warning about a new
window would be available to them is if the warning is included in the
link text.

We provide a warning only if users read the page and catch a phrase
about it following a link to "Get Help Downloading Files" that appears
close to linked non-Web files. Technically we fail Jakob's criterion to
warn users in advance because we don't equally and effectively warn all
users.

By standard, we open all files (non-Web documents) in new browser
windows not in a file's native PC format. Even PDFs open in another
browser window by default. I think that PDFs will, by default, open in
Adobe Acrobat (standard or pro) if it's on the system. If MS Office 2007
products are on a system, those file types open in the native
application, at least that's my experience.

This brings me back to my original premise: Leave changes to default
behaviors up to the user who is accustomed to how their systems
function. There are too many unknowns to determine the outcome of
changing default behaviors. I'll now add that if you choose to change
default behaviors, then effectively and equally warn all users.

It's not a perfect world. I support portions of arguments on both sides
of the issue; however, in the end, it's about serving information to
users in the simplest, most easily understood manner possible.
Unexpected changes to default behavior is confusing.

If I'm not understanding something, I look forward to someone helping me
out.