In Firefox clicking a link with your middle mouse button will open the link in a new tab (or window, depending on your about:config setting).

IE 8 opens a new tab on middle mouse click.

A new tab is not identical to a new window, but does mean you don't lose your place on the HN page just because you clicked a link.

Thanks, middle mouse button is awesome

To open in a new window, hold shift when you click the link. To open in a new tab, hold control when you click the link. You're in control of where links open and websites don't need to do anything to give you that control.

The reason I asked here because I don't want to do an extra step to open the news in new tab or window :)

Can you add an option to add Hacker News to my Internet Explorer favorites? Also, can you add an option to make Hacker News my Internet Explorer home page?

Sounds like a job for Greasemonkey/user scripts to me.