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Re: Open in new window

for

From: Simius Puer
Date: Apr 16, 2010 5:48AM

>
> Well, apart from the choice of opening it inside the browser via
> plugin...which some users still may want.
>

A good point - I wonder if the server config could offer that as an
option...will investigate. I wonder how many web managers actually bother
configuring their server at all? Actually, I know, and it is very few!

That's also always the argument for things like text resize widgets
> inside pages etc, which always makes me wonder: shouldn't there be an
> onus on users (particularly those with specific access requirements) to
> learn how to use their software?
>

I agree absolutely. Had a similar debate recently in which I pointed out
that most people set their font size on the computer/browser to suit their
tastes/needs - exactly your point about users understanding their software.
As many are not very computer literate they want to do this once and then
leave it alone...not have to use "widgets" they don't understand on each
website.

By simply not over-writing the base font size there is absolutely no need
for on-site font re-sizers! This is not easy for most designers who are
used to using tiny base fonts to break away from, but it really does work a
treat.

But I know this debate is polarising
> and usually doesn't come to a consensus.


I don't know about polarising - new windows are generally accepted as being
shunned practice for HTML links. For non-HTML content though the generally
accepted practice is:

a) warn users about changes the file format
b) give them an indication of the file-size (as non-HTML files are usually
considerably larger)
c) allow the user to choose the method of opening the content (and Jakob's
solution does that)

It basically comes down to that - notifying the user and allowing them to
choose.

Of course, there is a whole additional debate in whether those "other file
formats" should be used on the web in the first place ;]