Link Targeting
Background
What follows is an analysis of some of the window opening features of some modern tabbed browsers:
Mozilla Browsers
There are several ways links can be opened in Firefox:
- regular links, which replace the current document when loaded
- links that open new windows by using the "target" attribute (e.g. targeting a new blank or named window)
- links that are opened by script without sizing or positioning parameters (basically the same as those opened using the "target" attribute)
- links that are opened by script using paramaters (called window "features") that set the size and position of the window.
- links sent from external applications e.g. via DDE on Windows.
These different types are handled in different ways by Firefox 1.0 and Deer Park Alpha 2.
There are several places links can be opened as well:
- The replacing the document loaded in the most recently focused tab/window
- A new tab in the most recently focused window
- A new window
When a link is opened in the foreground, when it is closed the previous tab is selected
Firefox 1.0
All links that would open a new window, whether by using the "target" attribute, or by using script are opened in new windows.
Options exist for sending links opened by external applications into each of the places where links can be opened, with the default being the last tab/document in the most recently focused window.
Options exist for forcing links that would open new windows by use of the "target" attribute or script into new tabs or replacing the same document, but these were hidden in Firefox 1.0 because they were not yet well tested.
Deer Park Alpha 2
All links that would open a new window, whether by using the "target" attribute or by using script are opened in new windows, with the exception of those sent by external applications, which are opened in new tabs.
The same collection of options as those which existed in 1.0 are present, except the ones for the "target" attribute/script opening are now exposed in the user interface.
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