Why does the chat forum open in a new window?

jdavtz

The "Chat forums" link on left side of main site opens the forums in a new window.

I appreciate the site as a free resource and I'm grateful for everything that's on here, it would be just a little nicer if the site didn't decide to open new browser windows on my desktop (or anyone else's).

If people WANT a new window for any particular link, the option is there in all browsers I know of. The "standard" action of clicking a link should really be to replace the page from which it links. Otherwise the 'back' button loses its functionality and the screen gets cluttered.

It's a 2-second fix and I'm sure several people would appreciate it.

Thanks for your consideration.

Jonathan.

daveboy

In Firefox it does just that (replaces the previous page), therefore keeping the 'back' button functionality.

Not that I use IE that often but it works with that, too.

tigermatt

Test Results:
Internet Explorer: Fail (Opens in new Window)
Firefox: Fail (Opens in New Window)
Opera: Fail (Opens in New Tab)
Avant Browser: Fail (Opens in New Tab)

Key:

• Fail = Opens in New Window/Tab
• Pass = Opens in same window, replacing the previous screen

OK, now that I have tested it in 4 different browsers myself, I back your proposal to change it so it doesn't open in a new window. You do have another option which is to bookmark the forum's home page and then jump straight to the forums instead of going through the main site.

daveboy

My misunderstanding. I was going from the forums to the homepage, not the other way around.

Personally I've done as tigermatt suggests and use my bookmarks to go straight to the forums.

tigermatt

daveboy wrote:

My misunderstanding. I was going from the forums to the homepage

Oh right - I was thinking there was some setting you could use in Firefox that prevents new windows opening...

Anyway, 4 browsers failed - can we have the setting changed please as I can see it can be annoying...

intel

A new window..... Aaaaaaaagh its the end of the world....... how do we cope :rolleyes:

tigermatt

intel wrote:

A new window..... Aaaaaaaagh its the end of the world....... how do we cope :rolleyes:

I use Opera and Avant so it uses tabs - I don't mind!

intel

tigermatt wrote:

I use Opera and Avant so it uses tabs - I don't mind!

IE User so no probs here as I prefer a new window especially in conjunction
with http://www.jiisoft.com/iemaximizer/ means I still have full control.

daveboy

Firefox..........

Tools...then options....then tabs, then click (under force links that open new windows to open in):

the same tab/window as the link

I am using Firefox version 1.5 and it seems to work.

tigermatt

intel wrote:

IE User so no probs here as I prefer a new window especially in conjunction
with http://www.jiisoft.com/iemaximizer/ means I still have full control.

Just what I was looking for for a friend...

intel

tigermatt wrote:

Just what I was looking for for a friend...

Top notch little tool that as it also completely closes media fastclick pop-ups
which Ive never found another tool to do with 100% success... :beer: