[stevek]

Depends on your preferences for the most part. I can tell you as a professional developer, I do not want my external links to replace my page (think of it as a marketing initiative), you want the focus of your site to be your site. If I provide external links, I target another window. If you have a desire to keep it in one window, you can embed the site and provide easy access back to you.

I know, I know there is a Browser Back Button... That doesnt help they fact that my client spend thousands of dollars to develop their site and it gone is a click of a mouse!!! so Just consider this when designing. I dont see the two rules as a major contradiction. If you rely on the back button, you dont know how many other links the person will follow after your page, so it may not be convienent to just use the Back button.

Hope this helps provide another perspective to look at the issue.

good luck with the competition.