Sunday, April 24, 2011

Javascript Giveth What W3C Taketh Away (e.g. _blank)

This post is about opening new windows from a <href="http://www.someURL.com" target="_blank">Words</a> type HTML tags-- and how it's not usable anymore and a workaround and a tool that makes using the workaround easier.

I found myself doing some very inefficient: find previous usage, view source, copy, paste, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, and edit cycles for what used to be handled by target=_blank in my anchor tags. As you all may be familiar with, that sent my links to new tabs or actual new windows.

Some people will say that this practice is sacrilege because target=_blank was taken away for a reason. Just the same I like it for sending people away from my website while keeping my website open-- at the same time! My Google research says I am going to confuse the lowest denominator and anger 'keyboard mavens' that are uber superior to me because it takes away the "back" function. So be it. Nobody is being forced to do things the way I like them done. My clients are generally happy with how I do things. Thus I will continue to do them that way.

Anyway, the tool is located on my web site and builds the line of HTML code anyone would need to add this functionality to their website for all Javascript enabled browsers without angering the W3C by breaking adherence to even the Strict Document Type Definitions.

So, without any more delay, click here to access the tool:
Javascript New Window, _blank Replacement Tool

You all have a good day,
-Brad Chesney
http://rustbeltrebellion.com/

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