Pop-Up Blockers

Which are the most popular?

[Compworld]

Ok, in order to complete a purchase, the customer has to click on the purchase button which opens a new window in order to complete purchase. Just checked the built in pop-up blocker with Alexa and Google, and no problems. My question is, what happens with the firewalls (Norton, Zone Alarm, etc.), and software pop-up blockers (panicware, etc.)? Do the software pop-up blockers and firewalls work like Google's and Alexa's? In other words, do they block requested new windows by the user?

Anyone know?

Thanks,

CompWorld

[korkus2000]

Some do. They are few and far between, but they are out there. I believe AOL, Earthlink and the built in blocker with Mozilla allow those.

I don't think firewalls should be a problem. At least zone alarm shouldn't. Norton Firewall does do some crazy stuff to javascript if it triggers and ad filter so I would test with that.

[asquithea]

Mozilla / Firebird's popup blocker doesn't block requested windows, but only if they are requested after the page has finished loading. The the user is on dialup, and your page is more than about 8K, this becomes an important caveat, because the user may not notice the indicator that shows when a window is blocked.

My advice would be to avoid using a popup window for this purpose -- I've seen it done on various occasions, and there are invariably a few seconds of confusion whilst I work out why the hyperlink didn't respond. Remember that users get twitchy about clicking multiple times when there's money involved!

[tedster]

Last time I checked, Panicware blocked all new windows, user requested or not, no exceptions. Very inelegant and heavy handed.

Another tricky thing about using pop-up windows for critical information is the way that the window may accidentally lose focus and be buried under the "stack". Definitely "confuse-a-user" if that happens. Executing a self.focus onload is a good idea.

[Compworld]

Its only for them tp place the purchase. They have to click the button in order for the order page to open up in a new window. We do not run any pop ads on any of our sites. Hoevully, some of the other pop up stoppers will allow user a activated pop.

CompWorld