Hi, I wondered what the general consensus is with new windows opening up in sites? There is an image of a map that a user can click on, that leads to a directory (seperate website), should this open in a seperate window from the original website or in the same one as the website being viewed?
Appreciate any advice.
Kymberly

i dont understand what you are trying to say. do you have an example?

Well if would be down to your own preference.
I would personaly have a new window open if this lead the customer to another site. or you could steal the image dynamicly from the new site to go in yours. Otherwise you'll lose you customers.
I thinks this is what you were asking.

What I was trying to ask was, when browsing a site, if a 'travel map link' is clicked on, should this map (enlarged and more detail in a seperate website all together) then open in a seperate window to the one that the site is being viewed in. Thus, when the 'enlarged and more detailed map' widow is closed, it closes down the other sites window as opposed to the original site being viewed. Therefore allowing the user to continue viewing the original site....?
Or, should the original site simply open the 'enlarged and more detailed map' in the same window forcing the user to use the back button to get back to the original (and seperate altogether) site.

We must have written and posted at the same time Jason, thank you both for you replies.

New windows should not be used for several reasons:
1 - they are inaccessible
2 - they confuse the users
3 - they really are rather rude and if people have a pop-up blocker on, your new window is not going to show

IF you insist on using a new window, make sure you put right on your page that the link will open an new window, at least they will know it's coming. Otherwise, don't use them.

As for the 'logic' of keeping people on your site.. guess what, people use the BACK button if they want to go back to where they were and this is proven behaviour. I only use new windows (with notice) to open things like PDFs.

Beware of Opening Links in a New Window [Usability and Information Architecture]

The target attribute and opening new windows | 456 Berea Street