Re: Should pdf and doc open alone or inside the browser

Hi list and David, Loretta and John

Thanks for the arguments, great inspiration. I would like even more
arguments and analysis.

1) Even though I am a strong supporter of not forcing new windows on
users when opening a new HTML page, I have actually written an article
about the subject, "Don't force new windows on users",
www.smackthemouse.com/20030831, I consider the trapping of an
application inside the browser bad for all or most users.

a) It reduces the area available to the application compared to the
application having a window of its own.

b) Since most users are so used to new windows, most or many of them
will probably close "the application" like a window, loosing the
browser.

In my opinion, we should always opt for solutions giving users
legitimate options rather than "one solution serves all".

As David has pointed out, many users would like to save an application
file for later consumption. They might be in a library, they might be in
an internet cafe, they might want to mail it to somebody, or just to
have it, or they consider pdfs such a drag to read on the net because
they use modem or they have other reasons to prefer to save the pdf and
read it offline.

Using a modem, why wait several minutes for a very big pdf to load, just
to save it, if you can save it right away, and read it fast offline?

In my opinion a pdf file, considering how big they often are, should
never just open inside a users browser. Both usability and accessibility
would say that the user should have a choice: do you want to open it or
do you want to save it for later consumption?

At the moment, the choice of open in the open/save dialog opens the
application in a new window. But that is as far as I know an operating
system problem. The dialog could probably have three options: 1) Open
inside the browser, 2) Open in own window, 3) Save the file.

After having read the three contributions that have inspired me to
additional thinking about the subject, I most admit that it only
reinforces my original position.

Conclusion:

To give the user a choice: you can open or save the file, is of cause
better than just to open a new application trapped inside the browser
right away without even presenting the user with the choice of saving
the file.

Best regards,

Jesper Tverskov
www.smackthemouse.com

Received on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 04:09:44 UTC