What's the best way to open new browser window?

Question

I know that most links should be left up to the end-user to decide how to open, but we can\'t deny that there are times you almost \'have to\' force into a new window (for examp

Answer 1

Please, don't force opening a link in a new window.

Reasons against it:

• It infringes the rule of the least astonishment.
• The back-button don't work and the user not possibly knows why.
• What happen in tabbed browsers? New tab or new window? And whichever happens, is it what you wants, if you mix tabs and windows?

The reason I always hear in favor of opening a new window is that the user will not leave the site. But be sure, I will never come back to a site that annoys me. And if the site takes away control from me, that is a big annoyance.

A way may be, that you give two links, one is normal, the other opens it in a new window. Add the second with a little symbol after the normal link. This way users of your site stay in control of which link they want to click on.