Information Technology Policies and Standards

Title
External Link Standard
Type
Standard
Related Policy
External Link Policy
Category
Web
Status
Superseded
Approved
03/24/2003
Revised
05/06/2004
To Be Reviewed
04/07/2007
Scope
This standard addresses how users are notified when they leave the City of Albuquerque website.
Standard
A common image shall be located to the right of the hyperlink, that links to the disclaimer and indicates the user is leaving.

Here are the steps:
  1. External hyperlink is created and linked appropriately
  2. The globe image is placed to the right of the hyperlink (located at w3.cabq.gov/images/globe.gif and www.cabq.gov/images/globe.gif)
  3. The image alternative text is created, which should read: "Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer"
  4. The image is linked to the disclaimer (located at www.cabq.gov/about/offsite.html or w3.cabq.gov/about/offsite.html)

(Note: Developers should NOT launch a new browser window for external or internal links.)

Example: Albuquerque Convention and Visitor's Bureau Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer
Rationale
This new standard addresses the following:
  • it addresses the popularity of "pop-up killers"
  • it is easier for non-technical users using Contribute
  • it is more accessible for blind users

Old standard which SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED:
A JavaScript function is included in every web page for this use. To call the function, simply add the following attribute to a link: onClick="offsite();"

example: <a onClick="offsite();" href="http://www.abqcvb.org">Albuquerque
Convention and Visitors Bureau</a>

Contact: Julie A. Hicks, (505) 768-2814