One Tip – Open your links in a new window.
This is something that I always try to do, though sometimes I could be lazy or i just plain forgot. If you click on my outbound links, it opens in a new window. This way, my page is kept opened so readers can switch back and continue from where they left off. It is so simple but yet the majority of blogs don’t practise it. For those who can write simple link codes, all you need to do is to add the “target=”_blank” attribute after the URL you are linking. Example:
<a href=”the domain name” target=”_blank”>Your Anchor Text</a>
An easier way if you don’t like codes will be to use the “Insert Link” function in your WordPress Post Editor. Make sure you are writing with the Rich Visual Editor. Highlight the word that you want to link, then click on the little linked chain image on top of your editor or press. alt+shift+a, to bring up the “Insert/edit link” window. Insert the URL you want to link and choose “Open Link In New Window”. You can also add a “title” of a short text description of the link so when the mouse is hovered over the link, the description will appear.
One Plugin – AskApache Google 404 Plugin for WordPress.
The AskApache Google 404 Plugin for WordPress is such a cool plugin that I feel everyone should use. It practically turns your Error 404 page into a personal Google Search Page for your blog. The results shown will be relevant results of the words that have been used to search for something that is not available in your blog.
It’s easy to install and it blends in with WordPress 2.3 seamlessly. A big thank you to AskApache for leaving a comment here informing me about this great plugin.
The only thing you must have is a 404 page in your theme. If you don’t, you can easily create one. I was thinking of posting on how, but when I googled for the term, “How to create a 404 page” I found that there were already thousands of pages of information available. So I can save my breath.
You must also have a Google account, but these days, who doesn’t? Anyway very clear instructions are given at the WordPress Google 404 Plugin download page. Just follow instruction and you will see your 404 error page turn into something like this. Super Cool!
Opening a new browser window is something that some people like and some people hate with little middle ground.
Since I use either IE7 with IE7Pro or Firefox 2.0 I set them to open new windows in a new tab instead. I also usually just scroll wheel click links to open them in a new tab anyway.
Using target=”_blank” is considered a bad practice, because it can confuse readers who aren’t expecting a new window to open. Also, they can’t simply hit their browser’s back button to get back to your site, they have to close the window. Which is awkward. See:
http://weblogs.macromedia.com/cantrell/archives/2003/11/target__blank_a_1.cfm
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990530.html
http://weblogs.macromedia.com/cantrell/archives/2003/11/target__blank_a.cfm
The reason why people or at least myself do not open new windows is because of the standards. Target=”_blank” does not validate your site as XHTML Strict 1.0, a base I want my site to be adhering to.
Micheal,
Thanks for the info. Guess i was to used to right click the links I see to have it “open in a new tab” that I did not consider the other “consequences”
But for me, I still open all the links I see in a new tab because I always get carried away while browsing the new page that I usually forget to go back to the originating page. In fact I set my Firefox to “open all new links in a new tab” so I can easily switchback and forth.
Anyway, that was great info and I will consider twice before inserting the target=”_blank” in future postings. Thanks.
Frank C,
LOL, we have the same habit!
Darran,
Wo, I did not go that deep to consider that aspect. Anyway, I think the moment we start posting many things already happened to screw up validation. From what I understand, flash videos like those from YouTube is also a big culprit.
It would really be stressful to post if I was to keep to those strict rules.
It is true that the youtube embed code doesn’t actually validate as XHTML 1.0 Strict, and you would have to make some modifications to the code if you want it to work. I am posting on a regular basis and yet keeping to the rules which is so important nowadays.