Target and Strict HTML

Can I open in a new window

[olwen]

My HTML won't validate as HTML 4.01 strict if I use target to open a page in a new window. Is there a way of doing this just with HTML / CSS and a strict doctype or do I need to go for javascript or a frameset doctype?

[Mohamed_E]

Start by reading through some previous posts on the problem found by a Google site search [google.com] of WebmasterWorld.

The short answer is that, alas, it is not posible to do what you want in pre HTML/CSS.

[D_Blackwell]

I raised this question not long ago, and couldn't believe that there was no good answer to it, nor a good reason for no good answer. I briefly went the JavaScript route because I strongly prefer validated code.

However, there are instances where I have a legitimate desire/need to open a new window. The use of script is unnecesarily convoluted. I choose to see this as a flaw that should be worked around. In other words, a clearly justifiable exception to fully validated code.

The thread never gave me cause to come to any other conclusion.
<a href="http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum21/6043.htm">
the thread
</a>

[willybfriendly]

However, there are instances where I have a legitimate desire/need to open a new window.

What might some of these needs be? I just got done implementing a site with new windows opening, but only after I could not convince the client otherwise.

I can not remember any new windows that could not have been done more elegantly in the existing one.

WBF

[MonkeeSage]

If you want to proform a task -- such as opening a new window -- then you have to use the tasking section of the standards; viz., JavaScript. Markup is not intended to do tasking, it is only intended to markup content for parsing.

Jordan

[D_Blackwell]

------However, there are instances where I have a legitimate desire/need to open a new window.

What might some of these needs be?------

I have a couple of slide show presentations that I really like - but with both it is too easy for the user to close the browser rather than go back where they came from. The shows could be reworked for this - but I'd prefer to just open the new window without the extra hassle.

Some sites provide informational links that encourage users to go exploring. Sometimes it's pretty easy to travel far from where one started. This is fine, and encouraged, but we'd like people to remember and come back to the helpful site that got them started. We want our site to be bottom window.\

-- then you have to use the tasking section of the standards; --

I understand, but might the validation gurus gain more favor by not pushing people to a script for this? (I'm asking - since I'm not qualified to know all the peripheral considerations.)