Open External links in a New Tab

icanfly on 04/04/2018 - 15:40
Last edited 04/04/2018 - 15:40

Just wondering if the Site Administrators have ever considered changing their external links to open in a new tab?

Reason being, when I open a competition on here, I like to keep the window open so I can come back afterwards and make my comments on my referral URL and/or mark the comp as entered

Currently, I have to long hold and open in new tab or middle mouse button etc to force the link to open in new tab to leave the Oz Bargain page open for coming back to later

Would be handy if the URLS were amended to open with target=_blank to open in a new tab

Thanks

Site Discussion

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 04/04/2018 - 15:49
    +6

    Some would prefer that the links open in the current tab. It would probably have to be a per-user setting rather than a global one.

  • Ryanek on 04/04/2018 - 16:12
    +2

    Is moving your finger 1cm to the right to click the middle mouse button too much of a bother?

    • wildbill on 05/04/2018 - 08:07

      Thanks - didn't know this

    • Deridas on 05/04/2018 - 08:31

      I didn't know that either :O

    • dimitryp on 05/04/2018 - 15:47

      neither, and i've worked in IT for 20 years… doh!

      • Ryanek on 10/04/2018 - 12:50

        You can also close tabs with the middle mouse button :)

        • wildbill on 10/04/2018 - 13:39

          I just learnt more.

    • scotty on 05/04/2018 - 16:38
      +1

      I always wondered whether people click on the middle mouse button by moving the index finger to the right, or just use their middle finger (and ring finger on the right mouse button).

    • niknah on 06/04/2018 - 11:48
      +1

      It doesn't always work because some links are actually buttons or some sort of javascript event thing. Ozbargain is a nicely done site, all the links middle click well here.

  • icanfly on 04/04/2018 - 16:26
    +4

    Wow thats a lot of hate.. I work in a development team on a national web service and it was a requirement that all external links are to open in a new tab for convenience so you dont have keep clicking on the back key to go back to the main website.

    Guess I could understand why our clients would want external links in a new tab. Guess I am alone in thinking this is useful

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2018 - 16:48
      +4

      I run a small business and I have the same thinking.
      Internal links in the same tab.
      External links on a new tab - so that they don't navigate AWAY from my site!

    • Quantumcat on 04/04/2018 - 16:54

      I agree with you, I find it very annoying when I forget to open a deal in a new tab. Sometimes if I follow some links from the deal page and look at other tabs I have open I forget which one was originally ozbargain. So I end up forgetting about it and not looking at ozb anymore. Surely not what the site admins want.

    • scrimshaw on 04/04/2018 - 17:11

      Note: I am not disagreeing with you. I work for Ozbargain and I am just replying to let you know the moderation team is aware of your request.

  • sss333 on 04/04/2018 - 17:04
    +2

    It already is an option:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/145847/edit

    Deals open in new window
    Whether to open the deal in a new browser window/tab.

    • scrimshaw on 04/04/2018 - 17:09

      That's for deals.

      For outgoing links (that is, links in comments that do not lead to ozbargain.com.au) — say, if you want this link to open to open in a new window, you'd have to long press (mobile) or middle click (desktop).

      • sss333 on 04/04/2018 - 17:12

        It works for the comps main external link as well, which seems to be what OP wants?

        Reason being, when I open a competition on here, I like to keep the window open so I can come back afterwards and make my comments on my referral URL and/or mark the comp as entered

        For example:
        This comp

        If I click on comp.sheridan.com.au (37 clicks) with the setting on it opens it in a new tab, but if I turn it off it opens it in the same tab.

        So OP turns that setting on, they'll have both windows open so they can post their referral.

        • JSQUARED on 04/04/2018 - 17:46
          +1

          I believe the OP is referring to links in the comments section. This setting is only applicable to the main link in deals/competitions.

          As per your example, some people may wish to enter through a referral link and would only be able to do so by using a link that others have posted in the comments.

        • sss333 on 04/04/2018 - 17:52

          @JSQUARED: Yeah, I suppose that makes sense, I never enter referral comps.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 04/04/2018 - 20:08
      +1

      Thanks. I don't think anyone checks settings. I sure don't. But that might change going forward.

    • Quantumcat on 05/04/2018 - 00:18
      +1

      Thanks I didn't know that

  • tsunamisurfer on 04/04/2018 - 18:28

    I too think it's a good idea to open in a new tab.

    That's why I Right click, Open in new tab. 2 clicks.

    First world problem averted.

    • holoz0r on 04/04/2018 - 18:31
      +2

      save yourself some time and click down on your middle mouse button.

      • Illian on 06/04/2018 - 14:35

        Also, simply hold down CTRL while you click normally and it'll do the same thing, hand is likely on the keyboard already anyway (unless you get really excited about deals). Even better, my mouse has an additional button just to the left at the end of the left click which performs the same function as the middle click without dealing with the wheel and is even quicker/easier.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 04/04/2018 - 20:15

    I've read the arguments for keeping browser-default behaviour but I don't think that applies to a logged-in OzBargainer. We know they'll be back. Who can resist upvoting, complaining and making silly comments?

  • scotty on 04/04/2018 - 20:33
    +1

    It has been asked way too many times, and middle-button / long-press option just does not seem to be good enough for some of you out there. I am sick of all these requests… I'll try to add that as a settings option later this month :)

    • Quantumcat on 05/04/2018 - 00:19
      +1

      +1
      (ran out of positive votes)

  • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2018 - 07:23

    You can just set your browser to open links in a new tab by default too using a similar line of code, but I'm sure you knew that.

  • icanfly on 05/04/2018 - 09:51
    +1

    Thanks all for the setting. That works great for all comps with a link but yes with comps with a referral link in the comments, it would be nice if that opened in a new tab via a setting too or by default

    Ta

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 11/04/2018 - 11:34

    This was rolled out this morning. See here for details

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join