External linking standards

[bubba]

Some edits this morning have got me thinking.

I think we should try to have a standard of only one external link out of the wiki for each topic.

(I'm only using this particular link as an example to highlight the issue)

Currently:
In "man-made underground sites page", there is an external link to the Axbridge Caving Group, and there is also an external link to the group's website from the clubs a-z page.

This leads to problems as the wiki grows - for example, if the ACG move website, then the external link has to be updated in (potentially) many wiki pages. Obviously this will lead to out of date information/bad links, etc.

Solution:
- Create a wiki page for the Axbridge Caving Group.
- Then, on the "man-made underground sites page" there should be a normal [[Axbridge Caving Group]] link. There should also be a similar link in the Clubs pages.
- Then, on the actual Axbridge Caving Group wiki page, provide the external link to their website.

This will keep external links in order, and also allow for a wiki page for the club rather than just a link.

 

[bubba]

I have altered the pages in the example above to show what I mean, and also tidied up other links on the clubs pages.

 

[darkplaces]

Jolly good idea.

Should the same be done for the mine explorer type websites? not stricly 'clubs' should they yet be added to the clubs section but marked as non-club or have 'Community' websites group as opposed to clubs associated to a regional council / having a constitution.

 

[Rhys]

After doing the SWCC links yesterday, I was thinking the same sort of things as you Bubba. Nice one.

Rhys

 

[bubba]

Should the same be done for the mine explorer type websites? not stricly 'clubs' should they yet be added to the clubs section but marked as non-club or have 'Community' websites group as opposed to clubs associated to a regional council / having a constitution.

I reckon it should be done wherever possible in the wiki.

Regarding whether organisations are actually clubs or not, I'm not sure what the best solution is - I've always felt that "clubs" is a loose definition and could include other similar organisations. Perhaps some sort of explanatory note would be in order?

 

[Les W]

Do external links open in a new window (desirable) or do you have to leave the wiki site to go to the new link? 

 

[bubba]

No they don't open in a new window. The general consensus seems to be that the user should choose how their links open.

Just set your browser up so that a middle-click opens a new tab.

 

[ChrisB]

A new window would be preferable for me. Middle-click is a bit difficult for people with a 2 button mouse!

 

[Les W]

I have the BCA site opening a new window for external links, this ensures that when the user closes the browser window of the external site the BCA site is still open, this ensures that they all ways know where they are on the site without having to navigate back to where they were.
On the wiki without proper navigation menu's I would have thought that this was more important.

My 2p worth

 

[bubba]

A new window would be preferable for me. Middle-click is a bit difficult for people with a 2 button mouse!

shift left-click should do the same thing.

 

[bubba]

this ensures that they all ways know where they are on the site without having to navigate back to where they were.
On the wiki without proper navigation menu's I would have thought that this was more important.

The problem is that it forces the user to have a new window opened, which goes against most accessibility guidelines - have a look at this article which explains the problems quite nicely:

http://www.sitepoint.com/print/beware-opening-links-new-window


Another problem not mentioned there is that there is no easy way of opening windows and maintaining valid xhtml markup. The "target" parameter of the <a> tag is not supported in xhtml, which means that you have to use javascript to open the new window. This is another can of worms, but one that is less serious imho.

Once you get into the habit, using "shift left-click" \ "middle click" \ "right click, new window" to control window/tab behaviour becomes second nature.

I'm not saying we can't do it, I think it's just important to consider the pros and cons before making the decision. Of course, this forum already automatically opens external links in a new tab

 

[Les W]

Whilst what you say works, most users won't know to do that

 

[bubba]

Perhaps they should learn to use their browser

Normal links hasn't stopped Wikipedia becoming a big success.