I was struggling to find a valid reason why Microsoft left out the "Open in New Window" option when adding internet links to a SharePoint Site. Then after serious amounts of googling I came across a comment made on another blog which incidentally was attempting to provide a solution to this very issue. The comment read:
"The notion that links even to external sites "should open in a new window" is not the view of the w3c or the accessibility community.
The user should always be in control therefore you really shouldn't open links in new windows. The problem is through historical bad practices some users seem to expect this. I think we need to educate our users about the basics of using web browsers. Every major browser allows the user to open in a new window or tab by right clicking the link. The user should be empowered to control when new windows open for themselves and the expected behavior should be that clicking a link does not open a new window." Comment author: JoeAudette
I agree completely with this statement and have immediately ceased looking for a solution to a problem that is not a problem at all in terms of finding a technical solution, it is all about educating the user. Working in an Educational environment I understand all too well that one of the hardest things is to do is to Educate and Educator!!! You could also look at this in the other direction, if a user wants to open the link in the same window you don't have the option to right click and do that if you take the option of "Open in New Window" as a default for your site. Thanks Joe for this useful comment.
Saturday 13 September 2008
Why bother!!
Well I've been looking at other people's blogs for some time now and thought to myself, "I think it is time you started one yourself Chris" . After returning from the psychiatric ward having been carted off by people in white coats for talking to myself I decided that I was actually right and thought yes .... let's get on and do it!
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