Y'all, I wasn't asking for keyboard shortcuts to open new windows - I even said in my original post that I *don't want* to have to remember to right-click and open in new tab (not sure I knew about ctrl-click, though - handy!).
I was asking why it doesn't automatically open a new window/tab so I don't have to remember to use a keyboard shortcut. I don't need to use keyboard shortcuts on any other internet board I visit -- blogs open new tabs, message boards open new tabs, facebook opens new tabs... it really should be de rigeur for any website to automatically open external links in a new tab (in my opinion). It's more friendly to the user, keeps the original website website open on their screen, etc.
I have around twelve places on the Internet that I go every day (6 of them, including ATP,
open automatically when I load firefox). ATP is the only one of the 12 that doesn't open links in a new window. So when I click a link here, I have to consciously remember to add an extra keystroke before clicking.
It might be that the underlying software here makes that difficult to code, or it might be that Dave hadn't thought of it, or he has a good reason for not doing it. I don't know, so I'm asking the question, because it's a minor irritant in my day when I click an external link here. It's the only thing I don't like about ATP, honestly, and it can happen several times in one browsing session, depending on what I'm reading.
Sorry if I sound grumpy - still on my first cup of coffee
