[Sigia-l] Usability of launching new browser window?

[Jeff Lash]

>The question is about whether to have external links 
>launch a new browser window, so that the user still has a 
>window open to your site. 
..
>Do detractors consider this an accessibility issue, or 
>just an annoyance? 
Both.
<URL: http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day_16_not_opening_new_windows.
html>

(NOTE: In some cases, it may be appropriate or required for links 
to open in new windows. So, as we always say, it depends. However,
in most cases, and in general linking, the problems seem to outweigh 
the benefits.)

Additionally, I would ask the person who is requesting that links 
open in new windows why they would like the site to function this 
way.

The common response is something like, "We don't want people to go 
off of our site. We can't be spending all this money to promote our 
site and build it just to send them somewhere else. If we have outside 
links open in a new window, there will still be a window open with 
our site and we'll make sure that they come back."

A good reply is that many sites have been quite successful at basing 
their entire purpose around giving people links to other sites --
Google, weblogs, and Yahoo (in its original incarnation, at least),
for example. Additionally, as the above link mentions, many people 
do not understand that a new window has been created, or realize 
it but forget about its existence.

I would put the responsibility of defending one's views on the subject 
to the person who a "detractor" (your word) of web conventions, common 
usability and accessibility standards, not on the shoulders of the 
person who is looking out for the user.

If all else fails, reference past usability tests that you've done 
(or set up new tests) that show users who are confused or experience 
difficulty when links open in new windows.

.jeff.
--
http://jefflash.com