Add event to database on user click in Meteor - hyperlink

Question

I am trying to update an collection in Meteor when a user clicks on a certain link. The link opens up a new tab, which is on an external site. However, I want to store this click in my database.
I have tried using e.preventDefault(), but then I can't get the link to open in a new tab. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You can use a click event and use a window.location after inserting into the database.
So, it would look something like this:
Template.name.events({
'click a' : function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
// Insert data into database
Table.insert({
// data here
});
// Open new tab
window.open(url, '_blank');
}
});

Answer 2

You ought not to use javascript to open the new tab since this will activate the popup blocker. The best solution is to have a link, as normal, and track the link on the side:
Html:
<template name="link">
CLick
</template>
JS:
Template.link.events({
'click a#the_link': function(e,tmpl) {
MyCollection.update({_id: "the_link_id"} , {$inc { "clicks":1 } });
}
});

Answer 3

You can do the insertion in the server side which is secure. The window can be opened in the success of the response.
In Client
Template.name.events{(
"click .clickevent":function(e){
e.preventDefault();
Meteor.call("Methodname", datatoinsert,function(err){
if(!err)
window.open(url, '_blank');
})
}
)};
In Server
Meteor.methods({
Methodname:function(datatoinsert){
Tablename.insert({
//insert data here
})
}
});
In this way you can add event and on successful data insert you can open a window.
I hope it helps you.