Opening Links Stinks

[Joe Guy]

Any time I click on a link in someone's post it opens in the same window as Plan B, so I always need to come back here to continue reading. At most other websites when I click on a link it opens in another tab.

I can't find anything in the Control Panel to change that feature.

Did I miss something or is Plan B trying to get rid of me every time I click on a link?

[Daisy]

Cant see any setting to change this right now.

You can right click and open link in new tab or window.

And yes we are trying to get rid of you

x

[Joe Guy]

Thanks, Daisy (I think). I never thought about the 'right click' alternative. Hopefully, having to click two separate buttons won't confuse me and wear me out.

[dales]

I use the "new tabs" feature (do MACS have that?).

This comes in handy while reading a long winded post by rubato or.......

[Joe Guy]

I've been mostly posting here from my Windows 7 laptop. My Firefox browser is set to open new windows in a new tab but it doesn't do that here.

It does at other websites.

[Gob]

That's odd Joe? I'll look into it.

[Gob]

Have you updated Firefox recently Joe? Check that "open links in new tab" is still ticked.

[Joe Guy]

Thanks, Gob. I do have the right box checked & the latest Firefox.

I can't be the only one this is happening to, can I?

[Gob]

Yes. The internet hates you.

[Joe Guy]

Also, I checked at Le Chat House, which seems to be exactly the same format as this place, and when I click on a link there it opens in a new tab.

I've checked all board preferences and there is nothing that says 'open links in new tab'.

Am I being punished for all those people I've chased away from here and from the CSB?

P.S. It's the same whether I use Firefox, Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.

[Lord Jim]

Joe I have the same problem, there's a simple work around:

When you put your mouse on the link, just right click and the first option that comes up in the drop down menu will say, "open link in new tab"; click on that and that should solve the problem.

[Joe Guy]

Thanks, Jim. Daisy also advised me of the workaround.

But it's good to know I'm not the only one experiencing the problem. I was beginning to think it was a CONspiracy undertaken by Gob and those other anti-American foreigners.

Then again, maybe they really are CONspiring and focusing on Californians.

[Gob]

Ummmmmm...... oooops ...... heh.....

It's doing it for me too now.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Before I click on a link here, I do a "CTRL N" which opens a new planB window right where I was. Then I click on the link and when done close it and still have the plan B on the other window right where I left it.

[Long Run]

Same for me. I do the right click for new tab. But then, I have do the same on most sites I visit. It's an arduous process but well worth the effort!

[Lord Jim]

It's an arduous process but well worth the effort

It also requires an enormous amount of physical dexterity, but with enough practice, it can be accomplished with relative ease...

It's all about muscle memory....

[Reality Bytes]

I have had a look on the phpbb site and apparently the change is deliberate when the software got updated the change was automatic - this is due to new industry standards for coding. Apparently it's also better for people who use mobile phones and tablets to view and post on forums if the links don't open new windows. Funnily enough I was at a training session last week for the new website that we have for work and I commented then that same as here all links took the user away from our website and I was told by the developer that the industry now feel that if a user is clicking on a link then they clearly want to leave your site and will come back once they are done with the new page - I'm not convinced thats true

I can recode the forum software to get new links to open in a new page but whilst there is an apparent work around for all old links to also do the same its a lot more complicated and involves messing about with the database which I'm reluctant to do especially as this is a new function of the database which will undoubtedly break every time we upgrade the software and which could have unexpected problems.

If its a really big deal I'll try and find the time to make the changes for new links, however, these too will end up not working again next time we upgrade.

Whaddayawannado?

[Gob]

I think we're at your mercy here R-B.

Whatever is least pain for you would be my request.

[Joe Guy]

I can certainly deal with it the way it is. There's no need to go to any trouble, RB. Thanks for your response.

I don't think anyone else would have ever said anything if I hadn't because it's not that big of a deal.

I just thought it was unusual because it doesn't happen at similar websites I go to.

Funnily enough I was at a training session last week for the new website that we have for work and I commented then that same as here all links took the user away from our website and I was told by the developer that the industry now feel that if a user is clicking on a link then they clearly want to leave your site and will come back once they are done with the new page - I'm not convinced thats true

That makes no sense to me. If there is an alternative to keep the current website open you are at least giving the user a choice when a new window opens instead of cutting away from where you are.

The only reason I really asked the question is because I was sure it was something I had or hadn't done.

The mystery has been solved for me and I'm fine with that.

[dales]

The mystery has been solved for me and I'm fine with that.

Another satisfied customer, friends.

Be sure to recommend this BBS to all your pals and gals.