The standard behaviour of links since the web began has been to replace the current page with the new one. This is a strong argument for not making this change. However, often one does want to open a link in a new window or tab, which is a strong reason for making this functionality available in a web browser. So strong, that it has been done: Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer all provide this by the use of modifier keys with the click, and you can choose whether focus goes to the new page or stays with the old.
I probably use command-click (open in a new window behind the current window) more often than plain click, but even so, I don't want any one site to make that behaviour the default. I still need all three (open behind, open in front, or replace) from time to time, and having the modifier keys work differently on one site does not benefit anyone.
Also, the Kindle's web browser is incapable of handling links that open in new windows. So tim's suggestion would make LW unusable on the Kindle.
In the next month, the administrators of Less Wrong are going to sit down with a professional designer to tweak the site design. But before they do, now is your chance to make suggestions that will guide their redesign efforts.
How can we improve the Less Wrong user experience? What features aren’t working? What features don’t exist? What would you change about the layout, templates, images, navigation, comment nesting, post/comment editing, side-bars, RSS feeds, color schemes, etc? Do you have specific CSS or HTML changes you'd make to improve load time, SEO, or other valuable metrics?
The rules for this thread are:
BUT DON’T JUMP TO THE COMMENTS JUST YET: Take a few minutes to collect your thoughts and write down your own ideas before reading others’ suggestions. Less contamination = more unique ideas + better feature coverage!
Thanks for your help!