in reply to Deprecate target attribute in <a> tag

Everytime you click on a link, you expect to go to a new page, don't you? Sometimes I even like it opening in a new window (or new tab, there is not much difference IMHO), esp. if it is an off-site link. I can then go back easily to the original thread by just closing the new window and not pushing "backspace" x-times.

CountZero

"If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

  • Comment on Re: Deprecate target attribute in <a> tag

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Re^2: Deprecate target attribute in <a> tag
by castaway (Parson) on Sep 17, 2005 at 13:45 UTC
    No I don't expect it to, why should I? (I have my browser set to "Reuse existing page" but unfortunately that doesnt make it ignore target directives).

    C.

[reply]
      I said 'a new page' not 'a new window'. The World Wide Web would get very boring if you would always get the same page.

      CountZero

      "If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

[reply]
Re^2: Deprecate target attribute in <a> tag
by herveus (Prior) on Sep 18, 2005 at 00:44 UTC
    Howdy!

    I'm not sure how that first statement bears on the question at all.

    When I click on a link, I expect the new page to appear in the same tab in the same window, unless *I* take affirmative steps to make it pop up in a new window or tab, or some other alternative action.

    Maybe I'm a fossil, but I expect to be able to then use my Back button to get back whence I came. Some sites take steps that have the effect (and sometimes intent) of frustrating that, but that's a different rant.

    yours,
    Michael
[reply]
      As I already said to Castaway, I'm not necessarily expecting a new "physical" page, but rather new content when I click on a link.

      Now, if that new content is somewhat like a sequel to the original page, I agree that it should be in the same tab/window/frame. Then it is like turning the pages of a book, one after another in a linear fashion, going back and forth by clicking backspace and the links.

      However, when the link brings you to another "story", I rather have it open in a new tab/window/frame as it will go off on a tangent and --as it were-- interrupts the original line of thought. Once I have fully explored the new line of thought, I close the tab/window/frame and I'm back in the original story.

      Now indeed you can do so yourself and keep everything under your control. That's OK. But sometimes it is not always clear if the link is part of the original story or the start of a new one. Only the author will know and then I like it very much when he takes care and opens a new window for me if he starts a new story.

      CountZero

      "If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

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