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FreeUKGen / Systemwide

repository for issues that affect all systems within the Free UK Gen portfolio
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"Link opens in a new tab" icon #242

Closed DeniseColbert closed 2 years ago

DeniseColbert commented 2 years ago

@PatReynolds to find info from WebAIM (might be in a story on one of the boards)

AlOneill commented 2 years ago

@PatReynolds is this the image you had in mind?

new-window.png

Two caveats:

The icon is for a new window whereas the browser default is now a new tab. Does it manage to suggest a new tab?

We would have to be reasonably sure that it is widely understood — to do that, we would have to test without a title attribute which would be cheating! (And it would not solve the issue for KB-only users.)

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

The box with arrow (various graphic representations) seems to be fairly standard.

I'm not sure why we need to test without a title attribute: this is not designed to replace the title attribute, but to help those who do not use a screen reader.

AlOneill commented 2 years ago

@PatReynolds The box with an arrow, as used on Wikipedia, signifies an external site — it does not signify that the link will open in a new tab. That choice is left to the user!

Can you suggest a site where the icon is used to signify a new tab?

I was trying to say that if we test the user recognition of what an icon means — we need to know what a user understands by it — then we cannot test it with a title attribute that explains it because that would not be a proper test. Many of our users would hover over it and read it to find out. Once again, the KB only user would lose out. A screen reader user would be helped by an alt attribute or a title attribute, but not a KB only user.

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

NB only used for links to external sites, so those who know the symbol with that meaning will not be confused.

AlOneill commented 2 years ago

… until the link opens unexpectedly in a new tab! That is, the association between an external site and opening in a new tab is not established or sign-posted.

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

@DeniseColbert to ask Catherine (UX) about this.

SteveBiggs commented 2 years ago

I've said this before, but I find it extremely annoying when a link to an external site does NOT open in a new tab. If I'm being sent off to a different site, I always want to be able to EASILY return to the first site no matter what navigating I do in the new one (and umpteen browser 'back-button' hits is not the most convenient!

AlOneill commented 2 years ago

@SteveBiggs That should happen only on a public page (or some footer links). Can you give an example of an external link that behaves as you describe?

Remember that you could right-click on any link, just to be sure.

SteveBiggs commented 2 years ago

@AlOneill I was talking generally - not referring to any specific FUG links. Although, personally, I'd like the RefineryCMS and Roadmap links to open in a new tab as they take you away from the main top bar menu options in FreeREG.

Yes, I use right-click on all links where I know it will not open in a new tab automatically.

DeniseColbert commented 2 years ago

Kathryn will be able to join the Doc meet on 24th to discuss

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

Document how to right-click without a mouse in different operating systems

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

https://techspectacle.com/how-to-right-click-without-a-mouse/ https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/how-to-use-your-keyboard-to-control-the-mouse-pointer-in-windows-11 (only for keyboards with numeric keypads) https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pop-quiz-solution-how-to-right-click-without-a-mouse/

Pat to test on windows.

PatReynolds commented 2 years ago

Policy is (where we use an open in a new tab) that we state this in words.

So closing.