Re: ePortfolio - open links (docs) in new or same tab ?

[Kathleen MacDowell <kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Monique,

Personally (no research involved), I think it depends on what you're
doing and how well your set-up allows tracking which window is open.

In other words, I agree with your preference: I'd open in a separate window.

I could go into deeper explanation, but I've turned into a less is
more type of person :-)

Kathleen

On Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 9:11 AM, Monique Semp <monique -dot- semp -at- earthlink -dot- net> wrote:
> Hello, TechWR-L-ers,
>
> Iâm debating whether to open docs from an ePortfolioâs primary content/navigation page in new tabs or in the same tab, and would appreciate your opinions.
>
> Standard usability wisdom says that with very few exceptions, itâs much better to use the same tab instead of opening new tabs for link targets.
>
> But my own personal preference (and that of the one non-software engineer I asked â heâs my husband in case youâre wondering why I asked a non-software engineer!) is to open docs in separate tabs.
>
> So, what are your thoughts?
>
> By using separate tabs, I can keep the primary navigation/content window viewable, look at multiple docs simultaneously, close a doc by closing the tab and still have my primary viewing tabâs contents available, etc. (Yes, I could certainly right-click the link and open in new tab/window, and I do that a majority of the time, but not all the time.)
>
> But regardless of my personal preference, itâs mighty hard to go contrary to âconventional wisdomâ such as the following:
>
> * http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2008/07/01/should-links-open-in-new-windows/
> * http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990530.html â Jakob Nielsen from 1999
> * http://www.useit.com/alertbox/open_new_windows.html â Jakob Nielson update from 2005
> * http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2405505/usability-study-of-opening-links-in-a-new-browser-window â not conventional wisdom, but an interesting perspective from programmers and additional links on the subject
>
> Looking forward to usability opinions,
> -Monique
>
>
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-- 
Kathleen MacDowell
kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help. Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need.

Try Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.

http://bit.ly/doc-to-help

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