Opinion on Forum Links

[Nemesis]

It doesn't seem to cause the problem - it only did it once and don't know why - I can't replicate it and can't now find the link - it seems to work in exactly the same way as Firefox.

However, whichever you use, it was more simple before. One click in and then one click on the x and you were back.

 

[Lime]

opening a link in the same window or a new window is controlled by the phpBB software and can be changed by our hosts I believe.

Personally I think it is to the advantage of PPUK to open links in a new window as then their forum is not lost.

I find the present set up annoying.

 

[Ian Bond]

I get the same problem that ljn reported every time, on every link with IE.

With Firefox, no problem.

I'll leave it up to ljn to decide what the best course of action is here, seeing as my post was directed at helping solve the reported issue.

ljn - feel free to PM me if you need any more help with this :!:

 

[Nemesis]

But I don't - the page URL is there, not PPUK. It happened once but I think that was maybe a small hesitancy and I didn't give it time. I can't replicate it. The rest works exactly as you say it does with Firefox.

So why is it all so different? I have the latest IE I have to say. I know some people like Firefox, but I don't have any problems with IE so I stick with it.

We don't, of course, have a clue what browser ljn is using.

I agree with Lime though - preferred it the way it was. Much more simple.

opening a link in the same window or a new window is controlled by the phpBB software and can be changed by our hosts I believe.

Personally I think it is to the advantage of PPUK to open links in a new window as then their forum is not lost.

I find the present set up annoying. Lime

 

[Ian Bond]

But I don't - the page URL is there, not PPUK. It happened once but I think that was maybe a small hesitancy and I didn't give it time. I can't replicate it. The rest works exactly as you say it does with Firefox.

So why is it all so different? I have the latest IE I have to say. I know some people like Firefox, but I don't have any problems with IE so I stick with it.

We don't, of course, have a clue what browser ljn is using.

I agree with Lime though - preferred it the way it was. Much more simple.

It isn't simply a small hesitancy if I can replicate the same 'page URL' issue as ljn, with every link and no matter how many times I refresh. Despite possible having different hardware, OS, patch levels browser etc etc.

ljn is welcome to PM me for further help if needed, since my reply was intended to help ljn, and anyone else who's interested in a solution to the reported issue.

The separate issue of links no longer opening in a new window automatically can be addressed to the forum admin team.

 

[Nemesis]

Well it doesn't happen with me! Honest. I think that the time I tried it was also updating something else and I only gave it a second. I've gone through a whole heap of links and no replication - it opens the site URL every time.

If it's happening with others maybe there's a quicker fix than having to try a new browser, and maybe Simon can sort it? These are all glitches which maybe need ironing out.

If what Lime says is the case and we can go back to the click on a link and it simply opens a new window . as before, that would be good also. Very good.

 

[Ian Bond]

I believe you. I've noticed that replicating computer problems is very difficult indeed.

And there are always conflicting opinions on how things should work. Here's a case in point from a few years back - don't forget to shift-click!

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/beware-opening-links-new-window

You and Lime may have a valid point about the links no longer opening in a new window by default. Have you put it to the site admin?

Then again, if they changed it, would more people complain that it was opening new windows?

It's your choice if you want to stick with IE, but there are alternatives and they all have their good and bad points. I'm happier with Firefox than I was with IE, and I preferred Netscape before that. But each to their own.

 

[Nemesis]

I've just been posting on another site which uses the previous version (the one we had up to a week ago) and it's far more simply laid out and the click on a link takes you to the page you want, when you've read it it clicks off and takes you back.

Far less visual clutter (and it's blue and white too...) Don't understand why updates to 'functionality' have to mean so much else changes, especially layout.

 

[skier-hughes]

I brought this to the sites admin teams attention when beta testing the new main site.
They said they were going to stick with web 2.0 principles and have it open in the same window.

 

[Ian Bond]

Ta Graham - suits me to be honest, as I prefer to open new windows only when I want to. Not too difficult to hit backspace to return to PPUK is it?

Or remember to shift-click if you want a new window?

 

[skier-hughes]

In all honesty I prefer the open in new tab/window option, so I'll have to get used to the new way!!!

 

[Ian Bond]

Yes you will - you luddite you :wink:

 

[skier-hughes]

:lol:

 

[Penners]

With Firefox, if you hold the Ctrl key down whilst clicking on the link, a new tab is opened for the link, in addition to the current tab

Internet Explorer 7 will do exactly the same. Just hold down CTRL as you click the link.

However, I did report this glitch to The Management when the new site was put up, and Rob said he would put it on Simon's "to do" list. So hopefully, when Simon has time, he will arrange for links to open in a new window (or tab) automatically.

 

[Ian Bond]

I brought this to the sites admin teams attention when beta testing the new main site.
They said they were going to stick with web 2.0 principles and have it open in the same window.

Looks like they aren't going to do that, Penners.

 

[Lime]

Ta Graham - suits me to be honest, as I prefer to open new windows only when I want to. Not too difficult to hit backspace to return to PPUK is it?

Or remember to shift-click if you want a new window?

Yes it is often too difficult to click Back when on dial up particularly when the page is many clicks back. It takes too long.

I find I view forums in direct relation to how they operate. If they give me grief (some take an eternity to load) I don't bother.
I don't often use the Back button because it so often doesn't work because it gets caught up in the various other windows (adds, double click etc) that are displayed on the website page. It is bad practice on many sites too particularly secure ones.

No, I take the view if a webpage is lost by clicking a link on it they don't want me to stay.
I think it is a simple as that.

 

[Ian Bond]

Not sure what you mean about getting caught up in adds (adverts) ? I use the backspace key, rather than using the cursor to find and click the back button. Obviously wouldn't be doing this when navigating through secure pages when shopping, as you say - you'd expect to get warning messages.

I'm not plagued by pop-ups on PPUK, and set my browser to block them.

Point taken re slow connections. As technology moves on, and 'improvements' are made, people without the latest shiny kit (or even broadband) get forgotten.

Perhaps PPUK admin will be swayed by your argument Lime, otherwise you'll be trying to remember to hold the control key down every time you click on a link, or right-click and select from a menu, which is a pain.

I moved a lightswitch so I could re-hang a bedroom door the 'correct' way round, and I'm still fumbling around for the switch on the wrong wall some weeks later!

 

[Flyfisher]

When backtracking, it's also possible to skip back many pages by using the drop-down arrow next to the 'Back' button (in IE). This will display a list of recently visited pages and you can just click on the last PPUK entry (for example) after a short diversion following some other links.

I like Ian's lightswitch analogy; very true, but we eventually manage to learn the new scheme. Just takes a little time.

 

[Lime]

When backtracking, it's also possible to skip back many pages by using the drop-down arrow next to the 'Back' button (in IE). This will display a list of recently visited pages and you can just click on the last PPUK entry (for example) after a short diversion following some other links.

I like Ian's lightswitch analogy; very true, but we eventually manage to learn the new scheme. Just takes a little time.

Yes tell me something I didn't know.

It is not that I don't know how to click Back or the pitfalls of selecting from the dropdown list, it is because it takes so much time.
I don't intend to waste time when I come onto the net and that is exactly what not opening a new window causes me.
The option of right clcicking and then selecting from a list is often used by me but not in any other forums I visit.

As for comments about pop up adverts, that is not what I referred to.
It is the adverts etc. that attempt to make a separate connection (without you doing anything) with your computer that appear with a web page.
Most users know nothing of them, that is why so many people have 100s of cookies on their machine and but know nothing about them.

 

[Ian Bond]

Have you tried switching it off and on again?