[wp-hackers] XHTML Strict compliant replacement for target=_new

[Pete Prodoehl]

Amit Gupta wrote:
> Pete Prodoehl <pete.prodoehl at cygnusinteractive.com> wrote:
> |  I can't believe people are still having this discussion in 2005!
> |
> |  For the last 5+ years, the major graphical browsers, the ones used by
> |  probably 99% of the web using population uses, has had the ability to
> |  open a link in a new window by use of a modifier key pressed when
> |  clicking a link, or by use of a contextual-menu, or by setting some
> |  preference in a browser.
> |
> |  Let the user decide, they have the power. Why clutter up your site 
> with
> |  functionality the browser already provides?

> and the only reason I can think up behind this comment of yours is that 
> you haven't been in touch with the non-techy users lately & for a long 
> time by the looks of it. 

Yes, I've been very fortunate for the last few years. ;)

> You just wouldn't believe how dumb a lot of 
> people are when it comes to basic computer usage like opening links in 
> new windows by keeping SHIFT(in IE & Opera) & CTRL(in FireFox) keys 
> pressed. Forget that, they don't even know or realise that they can 
> right-click the link & select the "Open Link in New Window". That may 
> sound as if we are still in stone age & people are on old 133Mhz 
> machines!! Strange but its true of several of the non-techy users!!

It's not so much 'dumb' as ignorant. I suppose we need to educate people 
in this respect. I'd prefer telling people about a useful feature over 
catering to their ignorance. Still, being a champion of the user, I want 
to give them the choice of how to open new windows, not restrict that 
choice. Time to go write a post about this I guess.

Pete