Dunno who to suggest this to, but this seems like a high value, low work improvement to MediaWiki (excuse me if it has already been added - I'm back on 1.5.7). Say "aye" if you think it is a good idea. Suggest alternate names for the variable if you think this one sucks.
Hugh
in DefaultSettings.php add:
/** Set to true to open external links in a new window $wgOpenExternalLinkInNewWindow = false;
in */includes/linker.php*
function getExternalLinkAttributes ... After
$r = ($class != '') ? " class='$class'" : " class='external'";
add the following code:
global $wgOpenExternalLinkInNewWindow; if ($wgOpenExternalLinkInNewWindow) { $r .= " target="_blank""; }