Exercise

Open your Starbuzz “index.html” file. Add the target attribute to the <a> tag that links to the Caffeine Buzz page. Now give it a try – did you get a new window?

There are no Dumb Questions

The Target Attribute Exposed

This week’s interview: Using target considered bad?

Head First:  Hello target, we’re so glad you could join us.

Target Attribute:  I’m glad to be here. It’s nice to know you’re still interested in hearing about me.

Head First:  Why do you say that?

Target:  Well, to be honest, I’m not as popular as I used to be.

Head First:  Why do you think that is?

Target:  I think it’s because users want to be in control of when a window opens. They don’t always like new windows popping open at unexpected times.

Head First:  Well, it can be very confusing – we’ve had complaints from people who end up with so many windows on their screens, they can’t find the original page.

Target:  But it’s not like it’s difficult to get rid of the windows... just click on the little close button. What’s so hard about that?!

Head First:  True, but if users don’t know a new window has opened then they can get confused. Sometimes the new window completely covers the old window and it’s hard to tell what’s happening. That can be confusing for anyone, but especially for someone with a visual impairment.

Target:  Oh, I never thought of that.

Head First:  Well, think about it: if someone’s got their browser window magnified, and a whole new window opens on top of the one they’re reading, it can be very confusing for them. It’s hard to tell what’s going on when you’re not looking at the whole screen at once.

Target:  Yeah I suppose it would be. It’s probably difficult for using screen readers, too.

Head First:  Yup. Some screen readers play a sound when a new window opens, but others just ignore the new window completely, or else they jump right to the new window immediately. Either way, it’s gotta be confusing for someone who can’t see what’s going on. And of course, since the page is in a whole new window, there’s no way to use the back button to get back to the original window.

Target:  [Sigh] I’m starting to see why I’m not as popular as I used to be.

Head First:  Don’t get too depressed; there are times when it’s nice to have a new window open, right?

Target:  Yes, I always thought having those little informational windows for “extra information” was handy, and I’m especially proud when people use me to open large versions of images. That way, the user can view the large image and then go right back to the main page.

Head First:  Okay, see, you do come in handy at times. We’ve just got to remember to use you when it’s appropriate, but to keep in mind those people who might be visually impaired and not overuse you.

Target:  Right!

HTMLcross

Here are some mind benders for your left brain.

Bullet Points

Sharpen your pencil: Solution

Earl needs a little help with his URLs: Solution

Exercise Solutions

Add a title to the link to “mission.html” with the text “Read more about Starbuzz Coffee’s important mission”. Notice that we didn’t make the mission link’s label as concise as it should be. Shorten the link label to “our Mission”. Here’s the solution; did you test your changes?