New window preference tweak

January 26, 2006 3:08 PM

Maybe this has been discussed, but Can we make it so only external (non *.metafilter.com) links open in a new window? I like the preference setting for new window but it can be annoying when it's a metafilter section (i.e. a contact).
posted by xmutex to feature requests at 3:08 PM (16 comments total)

Can you get any links to open in new windows? I asked about this a while ago and apparently you're not supposed to be able to do that -- something about everyone being adults and making up their own minds about it...
posted by londonmark at 3:16 PM on January 26, 2006

Firefox work-around: middle-click for new tabs or windows (as you wish).
posted by nkyad at 3:17 PM on January 26, 2006

Yeah, in Preferences there's an option for 'Open Links' and one of the values is 'In a new window'.

But it ain't make sense for metafilter links.
posted by xmutex at 3:18 PM on January 26, 2006

Sure aint no not sense make!
posted by blue_beetle at 3:19 PM on January 26, 2006

Yeah, in Preferences there's an option for 'Open Links'...

Oh dear god, I never knew that. You'd think someone would have told me when I posted a question about it. I'm too ashamed to write anymore.
posted by londonmark at 3:22 PM on January 26, 2006

Jesus people, learn to use a browser!
posted by delmoi at 3:24 PM on January 26, 2006

I simply endeavor to improve the usability and consistency of our beloved Metafilter. Only this, and nothing more.
posted by xmutex at 3:26 PM on January 26, 2006

xmutex, if you tell me which links were spawning new windows, I can stop them from opening new windows.
posted by mathowie at 3:41 PM on January 26, 2006

From the 'view contacts and contributions from contacts', clicking on a user's name brings up a new window.
posted by xmutex at 3:44 PM on January 26, 2006

If you have one of the tab extensions for Firefox, you should also be able to set it up so that in general only links followed to new domains spawn new tabs - and I think there's then a way to force new tabs to spawn new windows. But I've never used those options, I'm a middle-clicker, so I make no promises.
posted by solotoro at 4:21 PM on January 26, 2006

I too would like this feature.

Option A: No new windows.
Option B: All links open in new windows.
Option C: Only external links open in new windows.

I was using option B for ages, but then I got really annoyed how when I'd (rarely) flag a comment and it'd spawn two or three windows. Or when I'd go see a user's profile, or every time I opened a thread.

So I just turned it off. And also "Jesus people, learn how to use a browser!".

But I know how to use a browser, damn your scurvy hide. I know how to use a browser quite well. I'm just lazy. And the end boss guy is hard.
posted by loquacious at 5:13 PM on January 26, 2006

sorry londonmark, I guess I was too vague.
posted by jessamyn at 5:15 PM on January 26, 2006

"next page" at the bottom of the front page spawns a new window
posted by mr.marx at 6:27 PM on January 26, 2006

londonmark: "Oh dear god, I never knew that. You'd think someone would have told me when I posted a question about it. I'm too ashamed to write anymore."

jessamyn: "sorry londonmark, I guess I was too vague."

Yeah, and apparently Matt was, too.
posted by Plutor at 4:17 AM on January 27, 2006

Yeah, and apparently Matt was, too.

Er, yeah they were. No biggie, but no need for snippy comments after the fact either. I learn and move on. Do the same.
posted by londonmark at 5:23 AM on January 27, 2006

No learning! More snippy!
posted by Plutor at 6:09 AM on January 27, 2006