July 23rd, 2008

Previously we’ve stood against having service links open in new windows/tabs, but today Add to Any is humming a new tune:

All links in the drop-down menus will open in new windows/tabs.

So… yay?  Sure, this will bring tears of joy to most, namely publishers; novice users: we’re still maybe a little bit worried for you.

Why did we shun new windows/tabs?

Easy: to help keep the browsing experience consistent.  Fact is, most modern browsers (sans Safari w/ status bar) give no insight as to when a standard link is going to open in a new window or tab… until you click it. (Surprise!)  Since most links open in the same window, this can throw/piss people off. So, we felt it was our responsibility to let users decide for themselves whether or not service links open in a new window/tab (via context menu or keyboard shortcut).

Why are we embracing new windows/tabs now?

It was a losing battle and the practice has become very commonplace. (See Delicious and My Yahoo! links elsewhere around the Web.) It became so accepted that not only publishers were asking us to switch to use target=”_blank” (geek for ‘open new tab or window’) but users as well. So we caved. But we caved in tune to some wishful thinking, and the thought that the responsibility should be shifted:

Browser makers: let users know when a link is going to open in a new window or tab. Perhaps indicate that a link is targeted to open in a new window or tab through the mouse pointer and/or the status bar.

In the meantime, we’ll remain optimistic that future browser releases will follow Safari’s lead.

Why so serious?

Seriously, The Dark Night* was awesome. Go see it.

*Bittersweet link irony