Opinions asked

[janderk]

<<EDIT: My web site has been updated. So in contrary to this message, both solutions can no longer be compared. I choose to show example galleries in the main window. Thanks everyone for your feedback :y >>

My web site has an example section with image galleries. (http://www.digitaldutch.com/arles/examples.htm)

These example galleries used to be shown in a new window. However, some visitors did not notice this new window opening and wondered why their back button did no longer work.

To prevent this type of problems I modified the page, but as far as I am concerned there are 2 solutions and I can not decide very well between them.

I added a frame to the top of the example pages explaining that visitors are looking at the example page. However, I'm not sure if I should pop up a new window (hotmail style) or if the example gallery should open in the main window (about.com style). I implemented both solutions to be able to compare them.

On the example page:
http://www.digitaldutch.com/arles/examples.htm

Click the first gallery (Slideshow) and you will see that it will open in the main window.

All the other examples will open in a new window.

Please let me know which one you prefer.

Jan Derk

[robpitt]

I personally prefer to maintain control over whether or not something opens in a new window. I like the default of opening in the current window and only opening in a new window for special cases or when I explicitly right click and choose "Open in New Window".

Rob

[Deb]

On the other side of the fence, I like opening things like that in new windows so I do not lose my place in the main window but I also prefer the ability to just right click and choose myself whether or not it will be a new window.

FutureQuest has also received complaints concerning the new window issue.. The one I remember most concerned our "Buggy Website" that caused the visitor to have to reboot in order to get rid of the window because her back button wouldn't work. This is true for many "newbie surfers". They simply do not understand that all of the other windows are still there nor do they seem to see the many buttons in the toolbar :\ For this reason, it is probably best to include a great big button that says "Close This Example Page" or something of that sort.

In the end I guess it depends on your target audience and/or whether or not you want to be the site that educates a new surfer the hard way ;)

Deb
- You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

[teach1st]

As an aside, I recently purchased the program featured on the pages in question, Arles Image Web Page Creator (and hadn't realized at the time that Jan was an FQie). It's a well-thought out, very handy program.

I make about twenty to twenty five image galleries during each school year - Arles will be a huge time saver. Thanks, Jan!

[PaulKroll]

I voted for main window: I dislike the new-window links, in general, though at time I'll do the right-click and Open In New Window myself....

but why make the decision? It looks like you've got room in the layout: add a link marked "View this example gallery in a new window" and the big "CLOSE" button Deb suggested. That'll be easier for folks who want the new Window, and either won't get in the way of the others or at least, they'll see "new window" before they click on the link and get all confused. :)

[janderk]

The current vote results says:

Main window: 6
New window: 1

Looks clearer than the Florida vote :)

Somebody outside this forum also said that the not working back button problem still remains when opening a new window. Newbies will still be confused and will have to read the message at the top. I tried to add a Close button/link but it shows a "This page tries to close this window. Do you want to close this window?" message, which will only add to the confusion.

From everyone's opinion I read that for novice users it is more user friendly to open the example in the main window.

While opening examples in a new window may have some advantages, experienced user know how to open links in a new window.

The last argument is that I am very reluctant in touching the visitors Browser. And poping up new Windows is more and more considered a hostile act, even when they do not contain adds.

So I decided to open the examples in the main window.

Thanks everyone for helping me out with this issue.

Jan Derk

[janderk]

Originally posted by teach1st:
As an aside, I recently purchased the program featured on the pages in question, Arles Image Web Page Creator (and hadn't realized at the time that Jan was an FQie). It's a well-thought out, very handy program.

I make about twenty to twenty five image galleries during each school year - Arles will be a huge time saver. Thanks, Jan!

:o

Thanks for the kudos.

Jan Derk