Should Links & Images Open in a New Window?

[Brandon Miniman]

In our reviews, we always set all of our text and thumbnail links to open in a new window. Out of curiousity, which do you prefer: links that open in the same window, or a new window?

Thanks for your vote!

[kevjey]

Definitly in a new window.

[Pony99CA]

I voted to open in the same window for two reasons. First, if I really want to open a link in a new window, I can use the browser's "open in new window" command. Second, because opening a link in a new window by default is set via HTML, there's no way for the user to force a link to open in the same window (that I know of).

However, how about allowing both? Allow a user preference to determine whether links in reviews open in a new window or in the same window. That's a relatively simple bit of JavaScript (or PHP or whatever).

While we're at it, I'd also suggest having a preference for allowing links in the forums to open in the same window or a new window. Clicking the link in my signature, for example, will open in a new window, but I'd prefer links to open in the same window for the reasons mentioned above.

Steve