15.1 Pop-ups and other windows appearing
The New Zealand Web Standards 2.0 were released in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0 (below). See Meeting the standards for more information.
The Standard
15.1 Until user agents allow users to turn off spawned windows, do not cause pop-ups or other windows to appear and do not change the current window without informing the user. If a window has to be spawned, then the user must be informed (giving them an option to cancel), or the option given to the user asking if they
- wish to open in the same browser form, or,
- pull up a new form.
Guide to this standard
This standard also includes the non-allowance of scripting-based pop-ups.
This standard covers the W3C WAI checkpoint 10.1 for NZ government agencies.
Rationale for this standard
Many users find pop-ups disruptive, annoying and frustrating, as they can feel they are not in control of navigation within the site. It can also cause them to become disorientated with the site.
The annoyance and frustration factor is further increased when site history links are not preserved, preventing a return to the previous page.
Pop-ups are also problematic for screen readers, as the focus is suddenly removed with little or no notice.
