I’ve written a few articles about techniques that use JavaScript to open new browser windows, the most recent one being Opening new windows with JavaScript, version 1.2. A very quick summary of my reason for using JavaScript is that it enables me to use strict HTML 4.01 and XHTML doctypes, which do not allow the target attribute.
By using JavaScript to open new windows I can still use validation as a quality assurance tool when working with HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 without having to manually filter out the errors caused by target attributes or downgrading to a Transitional doctype. (I’m aware that the target attribute is allowed in HTML5, so eventually this will all be completely unnecessary.)
Let it be known that I am by no means a proponent of opening new windows, quite the contrary. As a user I find new windows a nuisance, and since there are several well-known accessibility and usability problems related to opening new windows I always recommend leaving end users in control.
Posted in Accessibility, JavaScript, Usability.