A Newbie's Simple Question

[Robert Pullman]

Would like to know how to qualify an anchor so that another browser window
is launched.

 

[David Dorward]

Would like to know how to qualify an anchor so that another browser window
is launched.

http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day_16_not_opening_new_windows.html

 

[Denise Enck]

Would like to know how to qualify an anchor so that another browser window
is launched.

Hi Robert,

That's not a real terrific idea, for the reasons outlined in the page David
mentioned.
But, if you still want to do it, this will do the trick:

<a href="http://www.whatever.com" target="_blank">link</a>

cheers ~
Denise

 

[Robert Pullman]

I see the point about the back button. Is there another way to allow a user
to have multiple forms in view at the same time? The application I have in
mind will have something like 10-20 forms, most of them without input. It
would be most convenient if the user could open whichever were desired.

 

[Leif K-Brooks]

I see the point about the back button. Is there another way to allow a user
to have multiple forms in view at the same time? The application I have in
mind will have something like 10-20 forms, most of them without input. It
would be most convenient if the user could open whichever were desired.

Why are you using forms if no input is required?

 

[Chris Morris]

I see the point about the back button. Is there another way to allow a user
to have multiple forms in view at the same time? The application I have in
mind will have something like 10-20 forms, most of them without input. It
would be most convenient if the user could open whichever were desired.

Have a form at the start that allows the user to select which forms
they need (checkboxes, probably).

This form submits to a script that builds a form with all the
necessary components for the user to fill in.

Do you have a URL for this, or is it just in early design stage yet -
there might be a better way to deal with this anyway.

 

[Robert Pullman]

It's in the earliest of design stages. I have implemented the application
twice previously; first on an IBM mainframe in 1979 (most users were on
Decwriter, i.e. printer, terminals) and then as under DOS in 1988.

Suggestions on design will be most welcome. The DOS version used a menu bar
to allow the user to transit to any given form, after which the program
returned to the menu.

Your idea of having checkboxes is interesting. What would the script be
written in? I have in mind to implement this as a web service, so there
would be a service request for each checked item.

I hope I am making sense. I have been programming for a while, and have
pretty good design instincts and coding habits, but am working with several
technologies for the first time (Java, HTML/HTTP, Web Services). With
respect to Leif K-Brooks question of why I am using forms if no input is
required, there is collateral data that will help the user make input
decisions.

Thanks for your help,

Robert

 

[Chris Morris]

Suggestions on design will be most welcome. The DOS version used a menu bar
to allow the user to transit to any given form, after which the program
returned to the menu.

Right, okay.

Your idea of having checkboxes is interesting. What would the script be
written in?

If it was me, probably PHP, but Perl CGI, or ASP, or JSP, depending on
what you have available, are all good options too.

I have in mind to implement this as a web service, so there
would be a service request for each checked item.

I hope I am making sense. I have been programming for a while, and have
pretty good design instincts and coding habits, but am working with several
technologies for the first time (Java, HTML/HTTP, Web Services). With

Looking at your description, I might just have a list of links to each
of the forms, and let the user fill in one at a time, as they need.
Though the checkbox idea might work too, depends how the forms are
structured. I think list of links to separate forms may be better.

Don't forget any browser capable of multiple windows will almost
certainly have an 'open in new window' option, so the user can have
multiple forms open in multiple windows as they need, _if they want
this_.

It sounds like an intranet application, so a little bit of user
training to show them this little option isn't unreasonable either.
If it's internet rather than intranet, then not being able to do this
isn't a great loss.