[Chris]

Im making a gallery on a website, and I want the pics to open in a new maximised window. This is what I've got for each link so far:

<a href="pic1.html" target="_blank">
<img src="building1.JPG" width="125" height="125" border="0"></a>

How do I make it so the window is maximised on opening?

[Karl Buckland]

There's no way to force a maximised window across the board because that power should really be in the hands of your visitors. It is possible using Javascript under some browsers, but it won't work on a lot of alternative Operating Systems or browsers.

To be honest, you should be able to trust that your visitors are savvy enough to want to maximise the window themselves if they need to. 99.99% of people know how to do this and many people will be confused or annoyed if you try to 'take control' and do it for them.

However, if you're sure you want to give it a go, then try the following code:

<script language="JavaScript"><!--
function maximiseWindow(winRef) {
  if (window.screen) {
	winRef.moveTo(0,0);
	winRef.outerHeight = screen.availHeight;
	winRef.outerWidth = screen.availWidth;
  }
}

function alterWindow(winRef) {
  maximiseWindow(winRef);
  winRef.focus();
}

var windowHandle = window.open('a.html','winname');

setTimeout('alterWindow(windowHandle)', 1);
//--></script>

That Javascript code will open a new window, load a.html into it and maximise it. You could turn it into a function quite easily.

However bear in mind that this method will probably be detected and blocked by many popup blockers. I think it would be safer simply to trust your visitors to maximise the window themselves, or simply keep the pictures you open in the same window.

[Chris]

Ok, thanks. I just thought it would be a bit annoying having to maximise it every time, but then again I suppose they aren't going to be clicking on pics as much as I am when testing them

[BigMike Sidelka]

Also heres a script that allows you to control the size of the window.

<a href="java script:void(0)" onclick="window.open('link','linkname','height=xx,width=xx,scrollbars,location,menubar,resizable,toolbar')">link</a>

scrollbars,location,menubar,resizable,toolbar are optional

I never tried it, but you can do this
width=100% height=100%

[TJSingleton]

It's not generally good practice to use a java script: link. If I don't have javascript on, I won't see anything. Have you considered using a lightbox?

http://www.huddletog...ects/lightbox2/

[benbacardi]

I showed Chris lightbox on msn the other day, actually... he said he was too lazy to go and change it

[Chris]

Yep I did Might get round to it at some point.

[James Mitchell]

There are other alternatives than lightbox, that act similar.

I blogged about them here in April

Sidenote: we don't know the meaning of the word lazy as designers do we.

[TJSingleton]

However you do it, make it unobtrusive.

[James Mitchell]

TJSingleton, on Aug 2 2006, 09:39 AM, said:

However you do it, make it unobtrusive.

Exactly, If you don't make it unobtrusive it'll ultimately distract from the site and thats not what you want. Good point TJ.

[moojoo]

I tend to not revisit sites that resize my windows but thats me. Something to consider.

[Ben Abrams]

its not somthing a site should be trying to control

[James Mitchell]

benbramz, on Aug 3 2006, 06:17 PM, said:

its not somthing a site should be trying to control

True, with the exception of the full screen lightbox type as those are click-activated.

[magazineforall]

Well it just goes to show how we're all different.



For me personally if a picture is bigger than the browser window. I personally would have it automatically resize. Especially if I wanted to view lots of photos in the gallery.



Have you thought about using something like Gallery? (http://gallery.sf.net)



Good luck with it anyway

[moojoo]

Most modern browsers scale images to fit. In this case though I think a lightbox would be the way to go. Resizing peoples windows etc is just mean.