Just a minor request I had from working with the WYSIWYG configuration page: could it be possible in future versions to make links open in a new window (tab/whatever; target="_blank") so that going to view information about or downloading an editor does not jarringly take you away from the user's website and then navigate back to it once they see or get what they want.

Maybe there's a good design reason it's also how it is. I'm also willing to consider that as well. Just thought I'd point it out.

Comments

twod’s picture

twod
Primary language Swedish
Location Sweden
commented

The Top Ten Web Design Mistakes of 1999
30 days to a more accessible web site - Day 16: Not opening new windows
The folly of target="_blank"
How evil is the target attribute?

That's a few pages arguing why new windows are often a bad practice, ending with one about possible exceptions to "this rule". Most browsers will nowadays also let you open links in a new window/tab by either holding down a key or using the middle mouse button. My personal opinion is that it should almost always be up to the user to decide when they want a new window, no matter where a link takes them.

Instead of forcing a new window/tab, how about inserting a small icon next to the links, or a small text somewhere indicating that these are external links that will take you away from your Drupal site? (If that isn't already clear enough given the URL showing in the status bar of many browsers.)

I'll leave this open for discussion if anyone is interested.

OT fun fact: When digging up the above links, I just noticed Google gave me the results as I typed, how cool isn't that? :D

sun’s picture

sun
Primary language German
Location Karlsruhe
commented
Status: Active » Closed (works as designed)

I agree with that common sense. Even though HTML5 re-introduced the "target" attribute.

If you want icons for external links: http://drupal.org/project/extlink