Alternatives to Auto Pop Up Windows after SP2 5

[SteveAudus]

We could complain for ages about the problems caused by Microsoft XP's SP2. But let's just except most users will install it, so we are going have to alter web sites to work with it.

Popups.

A few of my sites have auto popups that when a page is opened a popup will open onload. This auto popup is now blocked by default by SP2.

A simple alternative would be to have the popup requested by a visitor click, but often this defeats the point of the popup. (To draw attention to something the visitor would not normally look at)

So I was thinking of doing something with layers, and timelines in Dreamweaver, but I was wondering what other designers were trying to get pass this problem?

Any Suggestions or Opinions welcome.

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk

 

[Dweezel]

I get reminded how annoying animated layers can be everytime I delete my cookies and log back into tek-tips. That damn 'Sign up' notice zipping down from the top of every page..aaaarrrggghh!!!

If you're going to use them make sure that there's a clearly visible 'close this window' area that can get rid of it.

Actually I've seen some very nice animated flash ones about at the moment. Can't remember any links though.

 

[pixl8r]

One way around is to prompt the user to "Trust" your site. Alternatively you could use an alert box to notify the user to "temporarily" allow pop-ups from your site (no advertisements will be used). Neither of those options is very pretty. There may even be a way to script these things (like adding to favorites).

Another way is to use modal windows. They are not (supposed to be) blocked by SP2.

Hope if helps.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[ChrisHunt]

the point of the popup ... To draw attention to something the visitor would not normally look at

I wouldn't be too sure of that. Many visitors will already have had a pop-up blocker installed on their browers (Google toolbar, for example). Those that don't have a blocker may still be in the habit of closing pop-ups as soon as they see them, without even waiting for their content to load (I certainly did).

Find some other way of drawing attention to important content on your page, any type of pop-up is going to be counter-productive.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[TruthInSatire]

I agree "auto popup" = "Auto close" if not blocked by one of my [now] 2 blockers after installing sp2. Don't rely on pop-ups to "To draw attention to something the visitor would not normally look at" Use brighter colors or something inside the page, or an alert box.

If there are an over abundance of them I don't even use the site.


Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[pixl8r]

I have only found that it is a problem in the case of web based applications when you may (and often do) have a reason to want to pop-up a window without a user initiating it. Otherwise I agree with the others.

One other problem that I have run into though is that often some pop-up blockers (googles comes to mind) will block even user initiated scripts.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[TruthInSatire]

I'm going to have to dissagree with pixl8r. Not until web based applications has there been a "need" for a "pop ups". VERY rarely will you find an OS level program creating pop up's to gather information or display something that you need to know. If they do it's about the same as an alert box (window's errors, confirmations, prompts and so on, all do able with JS and not blocked by pop up blockers.) I develop web apps full time. I have created both DOS and Windows based apps, and have never had a "requirement" for a pop up. website pop ups are one of those things that just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you should. It's grown to be nothing more than an anoying AD ploy and unfortunate app development mind set.

I think its about time for a web wide pop-up less paradigm shift.

end rant.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[pixl8r]

Count yourself lucky that you haven't had to experience the need. I also develop web applications full time (for US govt) and have repeatedly had to use a script initiated pop up window to display information (not errrors or confirmations) usually some type of report and usually because of the requirement of the customer. In many cases I have changed this behavior to modal windows because of SP2.

Obviously windows and DOS based applications are not something that you would create another window in(nor are they subject to popup blockers).

Not saying your wrong just saying that a need can/will arise in certain markets.

My two cents (absolutely no offense intended)

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[TruthInSatire]

none taken, and none ment on my part either. I work for the Govt too, our taxes pay for eachother.


If for any reason the customer request's a "popup" I usualy do it as a hyperlink with target = "_blank" (for reporting) anything else like a "color picker" or a "calander" or anything like that can be done with CSS and div tags. I can't think of any reason you would NEED and could not use an alternative (even modal windows)

A few years ago I could see that back in the 4th gen browser days. however css has evolved to the point of [almost] self containment. Think INSIDE the box


Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[DaRNCaT]

I don't want to appear stupid (I probably am, but hey!)
What the heck is a modal window?

I often use - user initated pop windows on websites I design, because a small window with a picture I find is tidier looking than a full page with a tiny picture up the top corner.

I'd love to find some way of doing this without the problems of blocked sites (my own browser auto blocks all popups and I have to allow sites).


----------------------------------------
Sometimes, when my code just won't behave, I take it outside and make it listen to britney spears music, and when it comes back it's really well behaved. I wonder if it's suffering from post tramatic stress syndrome now..

 

[pixl8r]

A modal window is a pop-up window that is dependent on it's parent window. In other words while a modal window is open you can not switch "back" to the parent window, you must first close the modal window.

In javascript it's:

window.showModalDialog(URL of dialog, arguments, features);

Hope that helps.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[SteveAudus]

Thank you very much for all your comments and thoughts.

I have enjoyed reading them.

I am going to look into modal windows, and layers.

But I mainly will try to do away with them all together.

Cheers,

Steve

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk