An enhanced hyperlink and method for providing an enhanced hyperlinked are
provided. This invention permits the user to interact with a hyperlink in
a variety of ways without necessarily having to open and/or follow the
hyperlink. This is accomplished by detecting the presence of a cursor
near a hyperlink. When the cursor has remained near the hyperlink for a
predetermined time period, a toolbar is displayed containing one or more
link enhancements that the user may select. In response to the users'
selection of a particular link enhancement, then that link enhancement
function would be performed without requiring the any further action.
Examples of link enhancement include, but are not limited to, opening the
selected link in a new window; opening the selected link in a new window
with that window minimized; creating a clickable graphic/text string,
and/or icon that would enable the user to return to the selected link at
a later time; or anchor the current page by creating an icon or other
clickable item that would return the user to the current page; or view
off-line which would, in the background download the files associated
with the selected link to a memory device for viewing later off-line.