Embedded Links

[SGIDAVE]

Hello to the PowersThatBe,

I notice on Tugnuts.com when I click a link to something non-forum related...it opens that link in the same window. To get back to Tugnuts, I have to hit the 'back' button, etc. This situation serves to navigate users AWAY from the forum rather than maintain contact.

Compare this experience to C-brats.com where, given identical situation, the clicked link opens a NEW tab or page in my browser...and I continue with an open page on C-brats.

I don't think this is a "preferences" issue with my browser; I don't see anything is my control panel that would address this situation.

Thanks for your help,

dave

 

[walldog]

Hello to the PowersThatBe,

I notice on Tugnuts.com when I click a link to something non-forum related...it opens that link in the same window. To get back to Tugnuts, I have to hit the 'back' button, etc. This situation serves to navigate users AWAY from the forum rather than maintain contact.

Compare this experience to C-brats.com where, given identical situation, the clicked link opens a NEW tab or page in my browser...and I continue with an open page on C-brats.

I don't think this is a "preferences" issue with my browser; I don't see anything is my control panel that would address this situation.

Thanks for your help,

dave

I think that can be fixed with preferences with the software for the system. As a temporary fix, you may be able to right click and open in new window or new tab option.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello to the PowersThatBe,

I notice on Tugnuts.com when I click a link to something non-forum related...it opens that link in the same window. To get back to Tugnuts, I have to hit the 'back' button, etc. This situation serves to navigate users AWAY from the forum rather than maintain contact.

Compare this experience to C-brats.com where, given identical situation, the clicked link opens a NEW tab or page in my browser...and I continue with an open page on C-brats.

I don't think this is a "preferences" issue with my browser; I don't see anything is my control panel that would address this situation.

Thanks for your help,

dave

I think that can be fixed with preferences with the software for the system. As a temporary fix, you may be able to right click and open in new window or new tab option.

Hello Herb,

Preferences was the first thing I looked at. I've noticed this with both Firefox and Safari. Yes, right-clicking will work but other websites aren't like this.

How about a test?

Go to this thread on Tugnuts (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6593). When you click on the MarineBeam link in the second post of the thread do you see it in the SAME or a NEW window or tab?

Now look at this (http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=23321) thread on C-brats.com. You'll probably need to right-click on this to open it in a new window. On the third post in the thread is a link to some boat polish. Click it and see if it opens in a new window.

It's always been this way. As you shop around online, note that most websites are like the C-brats.com in that they don't cause you to loose their page when you click on an outside link. Like when you are looking at an item on Amazon.com, scroll down the page and you will see rows of similar items...click one and it opens on the SAME page. Scroll down some more and you will see 'sponsored links' (those words are kinda small) - click one of those and BAM you are viewing that link on a NEW window. Amazing. Amazon will let you look at other vendors from a new page but they don't want you to loose THEIR page which is still open in your browser.

Thats why I think this is a CODE issue with the Tugnuts.com. Didn't the same guys set up Tugnuts that operate C-brats? Should be an easy fix.

dave

 

[baz]

I find using my Safari Version 9.0 (10601.1.50) on my MacBook Pro (17-inch, late 2011) running 10.10.5 Build 14F27 the result from clicking a 'link' in either Tugnuts or C-Brats is not identical, regardless of the link pointing to within the Tugnuts/C-Brat forum or elsewhere.

Right clicking to raise the contextual menu is the answer to having the link open a new tab or new window.

Example...

Tab preferences

Here's the right-click contextual menu

 

[walldog]

I was referring to the preferences that could be set by the Admins. Not your personal preferences.

 

[baz]

Yes.... Dave should post PM to Bruce as he has the ear of the web master. 😉

 

[Bruce Moore]

Yes.... Dave should post PM to Bruce as he has the ear of the web master. 😉

Actually Barry, no need. I've been following the discussion.

The site has performed this way since the day it was launched. We all know what to expect. That's a good thing, and a reasonable argument for not changing.

Folks using OS X browsers can Command-click to open a new window or tab (user preference). Folks using Windows browsers can Control-click to do the same. In both cases it is more efficient than pulling up a contextual menu AND selecting your option. The only advantage of using the contextual menu is the ability to choose (override) any new window/new tab preference. This is a well established UI practice. It's how browsers work. Everyone knows how the site works, and can choose for themselves.

While we could go into a much longer and more complicated discussion of User Interface best practices, Tugnuts is really about boating.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[baz]

Thanks Bruce... as always a conservative approach to things which can be good at times for sure. However, I do believe Dave's OP has a good point about clicking on an external link takes a person away from this forum. Many people here are not necessarily browser savvy and this I believe is Dave's point.

Will leave it here... thanks. 🙂

 

[Binare]

Almost every modern browser has an extension or setting to do this automatically for you.

 

[baz]

Almost every modern browser has an extension or setting to do this automatically for you.

Well, yes of course. However, I think you're missing the point. Users should not have to mess about with preferences and/or extensions to make things work like most of the world does not require. That's just the sensible and well designed UX (User eXperience) approach to things, as my daughter would say.

As Bruce points out, Cmd+Click does the trick for most browsers. However, many users quite likely don't know that trick.

Enough said.... back to boating issues as Bruce says. 🙂

 

[SGIDAVE]

Yes.... Dave should post PM to Bruce as he has the ear of the web master. 😉

Actually Barry, no need. I've been following the discussion.

The site has performed this way since the day it was launched. We all know what to expect. That's a good thing, and a reasonable argument for not changing.

Folks using OS X browsers can Command-click to open a new window or tab (user preference). Folks using Windows browsers can Control-click to do the same. In both cases it is more efficient than pulling up a contextual menu AND selecting your option. The only advantage of using the contextual menu is the ability to choose (override) any new window/new tab preference. This is a well established UI practice. It's how browsers work. Everyone knows how the site works, and can choose for themselves.

While we could go into a much longer and more complicated discussion of User Interface best practices, Tugnuts is really about boating.

Thanks,

Bruce

Hello Bruce,

Thanks for weighing in. My suggestion as Barry was able to discern is to IMPROVE the Tugnuts.com web experience by making the site EASIER to use.

Your dismissal of my suggestion

The site has performed this way since the day it was launched. We all know what to expect. That's a good thing, and a reasonable argument for not changing.

is both lame and illogical. Snail mail performed fine since it was launched and everyone knew what to expect. Put the correct stamps on your envelope then into the mailbox and off it goes! Then someone thought of email...no needed on your thinking. But it's turned out email is a GREAT thing. Heck, we wouldn't even need the internet if we carry that line of thinking to it's conclusion.

We're adults, skip the silly excuses and give an honest answer like "we aren't going to change anything." Life isn't fair - I know that. I'll be fine.

Thanks for following the thread.

dave