Is there a way to get around the error created by <target="_top">?

Question

in HTML4 strict,

Answer 1

You are not allowed them. I think the proper way around that is to use rel="external", and have a script that opens them in new windows. I'm hoping in the CSS 3.0 standard they add a CSS command for it.

You may want to take validation as a guide-line rather than cut and dry, while I admire the principles of the W3C, I think that the principle that you shouldn't use hacks should take precidence over their current stance that you can't use target=_blank especially as no viable alternative truly exists without using a whole different language to convert the links. There's also the option of giving it a link to:

Link Text

all the information you need you should be able to find here.
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms536651.aspx
there's a simple example at the bottom of the page.

Answer 2

If I recall correctly, targeting is allowed only in the transitional dtd

Answer 3

yep, remove the meta tag reference to the DTD.
always works for me...
unless your client requires strict compliance, there is almost no reason to restrict yourself to un-universally accepted standards.