diff --git a/autoload/vimwiki/base.vim b/autoload/vimwiki/base.vim
index 4bc45af..14709a6 100644
--- a/autoload/vimwiki/base.vim
+++ b/autoload/vimwiki/base.vim
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ function! vimwiki#base#resolve_link(link_text, ...) "{{{
     let source_file = a:1
   else
     let source_wiki = vimwiki#vars#get_bufferlocal('wiki_nr')
-    let source_file = expand('%:p')
+    let source_file = vimwiki#path#current_wiki_file()
   endif
 
   let link_text = a:link_text
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ function! vimwiki#base#open_link(cmd, link, ...) "{{{
         \ || link_infos.scheme =~# 'diary'
 
   let update_prev_link = is_wiki_link &&
-        \ !vimwiki#path#is_equal(link_infos.filename, expand('%:p'))
+        \ !vimwiki#path#is_equal(link_infos.filename, vimwiki#path#current_wiki_file())
 
   let vimwiki_prev_link = []
   " update previous link for wiki pages
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ function! vimwiki#base#open_link(cmd, link, ...) "{{{
     if a:0
       let vimwiki_prev_link = [a:1, []]
     elseif &ft ==# 'vimwiki'
-      let vimwiki_prev_link = [expand('%:p'), getpos('.')]
+      let vimwiki_prev_link = [vimwiki#path#current_wiki_file(), getpos('.')]
     endif
   endif
 
@@ -1076,57 +1076,81 @@ function! vimwiki#base#find_prev_link() "{{{
 endfunction " }}}
 
 " vimwiki#base#follow_link
-function! vimwiki#base#follow_link(split, ...) "{{{ Parse link at cursor and pass 
-  " to VimwikiLinkHandler, or failing that, the default open_link handler
-  if exists('*vimwiki#'.vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('syntax').'_base#follow_link')
-    " Syntax-specific links
-    " XXX: @Stuart: do we still need it?
-    " XXX: @Maxim: most likely!  I am still working on a seemless way to
-    " integrate regexp's without complicating syntax/vimwiki.vim
-    if a:0
-      call vimwiki#{vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('syntax')}_base#follow_link(a:split, a:1)
-    else
-      call vimwiki#{vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('syntax')}_base#follow_link(a:split)
+function! vimwiki#base#follow_link(split, reuse, move_cursor, ...) "{{{
+  " Parse link at cursor and pass to VimwikiLinkHandler, or failing that, the
+  " default open_link handler
+
+  " try WikiLink
+  let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLink')),
+        \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLinkMatchUrl'))
+  " try WikiIncl
+  if lnk == ""
+    let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiIncl')),
+          \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiInclMatchUrl'))
+  endif
+  " try Weblink
+  if lnk == ""
+    let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblink')),
+          \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblinkMatchUrl'))
+  endif
+
+  if lnk != ""    " cursor is indeed on a link
+    let processed_by_user_defined_handler = VimwikiLinkHandler(lnk)
+    if processed_by_user_defined_handler
+      return
     endif
-  else
-    if a:split ==# "split"
+
+    if a:split ==# "hsplit"
       let cmd = ":split "
     elseif a:split ==# "vsplit"
       let cmd = ":vsplit "
-    elseif a:split ==# "tabnew"
+    elseif a:split ==# "tab"
       let cmd = ":tabnew "
     else
       let cmd = ":e "
     endif
 
-    " try WikiLink
-    let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLink')),
-          \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLinkMatchUrl'))
-    " try WikiIncl
-    if lnk == ""
-      let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_global('rxWikiIncl')),
-          \ vimwiki#vars#get_global('rxWikiInclMatchUrl'))
-    endif
-    " try Weblink
-    if lnk == ""
-      let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblink')),
-            \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblinkMatchUrl'))
-    endif
-
-    if lnk != ""
-      if !VimwikiLinkHandler(lnk)
-        call vimwiki#base#open_link(cmd, lnk)
+    " if we want to and can reuse a split window, jump to that window and open
+    " the new file there
+    if (a:split ==# 'hsplit' || a:split ==# 'vsplit') && a:reuse
+      let previous_window_nr = winnr('#')
+      if previous_window_nr > 0 && previous_window_nr != winnr()
+        execute previous_window_nr . 'wincmd w'
+        let cmd = ':e'
       endif
-      return
     endif
 
+
+    if vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('syntax') == 'markdown'
+      let processed_by_markdown_reflink = vimwiki#markdown_base#open_reflink(lnk)
+      if processed_by_markdown_reflink
+        return
+      endif
+
+      " remove the extension from the filename if exists, because non-vimwiki
+      " markdown files usually include the extension in links
+      let lnk = substitute(lnk, vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('ext').'$', '', '')
+    endif
+
+    let current_tab_page = tabpagenr()
+
+    call vimwiki#base#open_link(cmd, lnk)
+
+    if !a:move_cursor
+      if (a:split ==# 'hsplit' || a:split ==# 'vsplit')
+        execute 'wincmd p'
+      elseif a:split ==# 'tab'
+        execute 'tabnext ' . current_tab_page
+      endif
+    endif
+
+  else
     if a:0 > 0
       execute "normal! ".a:1
     else		
       call vimwiki#base#normalize_link(0)
     endif
   endif
-
 endfunction " }}}
 
 " vimwiki#base#go_back_link
diff --git a/autoload/vimwiki/markdown_base.vim b/autoload/vimwiki/markdown_base.vim
index a207f53..021b44a 100644
--- a/autoload/vimwiki/markdown_base.vim
+++ b/autoload/vimwiki/markdown_base.vim
@@ -48,61 +48,6 @@ endfunction " }}}
 
 " WIKI link following functions {{{
 
-" vimwiki#markdown_base#follow_link
-function! vimwiki#markdown_base#follow_link(split, ...) "{{{ Parse link at cursor and pass 
-  " to VimwikiLinkHandler, or failing that, the default open_link handler
-  " echom "markdown_base#follow_link"
-
-  if 0
-    " Syntax-specific links
-    " XXX: @Stuart: do we still need it?
-    " XXX: @Maxim: most likely!  I am still working on a seemless way to
-    " integrate regexp's without complicating syntax/vimwiki.vim
-  else
-    if a:split ==# "split"
-      let cmd = ":split "
-    elseif a:split ==# "vsplit"
-      let cmd = ":vsplit "
-    elseif a:split ==# "tabnew"
-      let cmd = ":tabnew "
-    else
-      let cmd = ":e "
-    endif
-
-    " try WikiLink
-    let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLink')),
-          \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWikiLinkMatchUrl'))
-    " try WikiIncl
-    if lnk == ""
-      let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_global('rxWikiIncl')),
-          \ vimwiki#vars#get_global('rxWikiInclMatchUrl'))
-    endif
-    " try Weblink
-    if lnk == ""
-      let lnk = matchstr(vimwiki#base#matchstr_at_cursor(vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblink')),
-            \ vimwiki#vars#get_syntaxlocal('rxWeblinkMatchUrl'))
-    endif
-
-    if lnk != ""
-      if !VimwikiLinkHandler(lnk)
-        if !vimwiki#markdown_base#open_reflink(lnk)
-          " remove the extension from the filename if exists
-          let lnk = substitute(lnk, vimwiki#vars#get_wikilocal('ext').'$', '', '')
-          call vimwiki#base#open_link(cmd, lnk)
-        endif
-      endif
-      return
-    endif
-
-    if a:0 > 0
-      execute "normal! ".a:1
-    else		
-      call vimwiki#base#normalize_link(0)
-    endif
-  endif
-
-endfunction " }}}
-
 " LINK functions {{{
 
 " s:normalize_link_syntax_n
diff --git a/autoload/vimwiki/path.vim b/autoload/vimwiki/path.vim
index ffa48c3..263466c 100644
--- a/autoload/vimwiki/path.vim
+++ b/autoload/vimwiki/path.vim
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ function! vimwiki#path#path_common_pfx(path1, path2) "{{{
 endfunction "}}}
 
 function! vimwiki#path#wikify_path(path) "{{{
-  let result = resolve(expand(a:path, ':p'))
+  let result = resolve(fnamemodify(a:path, ':p'))
   if vimwiki#u#is_windows()
     let result = substitute(result, '\\', '/', 'g')
   endif
@@ -83,6 +83,12 @@ function! vimwiki#path#wikify_path(path) "{{{
   return result
 endfunction "}}}
 
+
+function! vimwiki#path#current_wiki_file()
+  return vimwiki#path#wikify_path(expand('%:p'))
+endfunction
+
+
 " Returns: the relative path from a:dir to a:file
 function! vimwiki#path#relpath(dir, file) "{{{
   let result = []
diff --git a/doc/vimwiki.txt b/doc/vimwiki.txt
index 6baceec..7e236ad 100644
--- a/doc/vimwiki.txt
+++ b/doc/vimwiki.txt
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ glh                     Decrease the level of a list item.
 gLh                     Decrease the level of a list item and all child items.
                         To remap: >
                         :map << <Plug>VimwikiDecreaseLvlSingleItem
-                        :map >>> <Plug>VimwikiDecreaseLvlWholeItem
+                        :map <<< <Plug>VimwikiDecreaseLvlWholeItem
 <
                         *vimwiki_glr* *vimwiki_gLr*
 glr                     Renumber list items if the cursor is on a numbered
@@ -594,6 +594,9 @@ il                      A single list item.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.2. Local commands                                   *vimwiki-local-commands*
 
+These commands are only available (and meaningful) when you are currently in a
+Vimwiki file.
+
 *:VimwikiFollowLink*
     Follow wiki link (or create target wiki page if needed).
 
@@ -742,6 +745,34 @@ il                      A single list item.
     their instances.  Supports |cmdline-completion|.  If
     no arguments (tags) are specified, outputs all tags.
 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+4.3. Functions                                              *vimwiki-functions*
+
+Functions to interact with Vimwiki. (It's intended that most commands will be
+replaced with corresponding function calls in the future.)
+Warning: this is currently unstable and likely to change.
+
+
+To map them to a key, use >
+ nnoremap <C-K> :call vimwiki#base#function_name(arg1, arg2)<CR>
+
+
+vimwiki#base#follow_link({split}, {reuse}, {move_cursor})         *follow_link*
+    Open the link under the cursor. {split} can have the following values:
+        'nosplit'       open the link in the current window
+        'vsplit'        open in a vertically split window
+        'hsplit'        open in a horizontally split window
+        'tab'           open in a new tab
+
+    If {reuse} is 1 and {split} one of 'vsplit' or 'hsplit', open the link in
+    a possibly existing split window instead of making a new split.
+
+    If {move_cursor} is 1 the cursor moves to the window or tab with the
+    opened link, otherwise, it stays in the window or tab with the link.
+
+    For example, <CR> is per default mapped to
+    vimwiki#base#follow_link('nosplit', 0, 1)
+
 
 ==============================================================================
 5. Wiki syntax                                                *vimwiki-syntax*
@@ -850,7 +881,7 @@ Raw URLs are also supported: >
 
 External files~
 
-The "file:" and "local:" schemes allow you to directly link to arbitray
+The "file:" and "local:" schemes allow you to directly link to arbitrary
 resources using absolute or relative paths: >
   [[file:/home/somebody/a/b/c/music.mp3]]
   [[file:C:/Users/somebody/d/e/f/music.mp3]]
diff --git a/ftplugin/vimwiki.vim b/ftplugin/vimwiki.vim
index f924ba3..4e747a3 100644
--- a/ftplugin/vimwiki.vim
+++ b/ftplugin/vimwiki.vim
@@ -255,14 +255,14 @@ command! -buffer VimwikiNextLink call vimwiki#base#find_next_link()
 command! -buffer VimwikiPrevLink call vimwiki#base#find_prev_link()
 command! -buffer VimwikiDeleteLink call vimwiki#base#delete_link()
 command! -buffer VimwikiRenameLink call vimwiki#base#rename_link()
-command! -buffer VimwikiFollowLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('nosplit')
+command! -buffer VimwikiFollowLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('nosplit', 0, 1)
 command! -buffer VimwikiGoBackLink call vimwiki#base#go_back_link()
-command! -buffer VimwikiSplitLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('split')
-command! -buffer VimwikiVSplitLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('vsplit')
+command! -buffer VimwikiSplitLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('hsplit', 0, 1)
+command! -buffer VimwikiVSplitLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('vsplit', 0, 1)
 
 command! -buffer -nargs=? VimwikiNormalizeLink call vimwiki#base#normalize_link(<f-args>)
 
-command! -buffer VimwikiTabnewLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('tabnew')
+command! -buffer VimwikiTabnewLink call vimwiki#base#follow_link('tab', 0, 1)
 
 command! -buffer VimwikiGenerateLinks call vimwiki#base#generate_links()
 
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ command! -buffer -nargs=* -complete=custom,vimwiki#tags#complete_tags
 if vimwiki#vars#get_global('use_mouse')
   nmap <buffer> <S-LeftMouse> <NOP>
   nmap <buffer> <C-LeftMouse> <NOP>
-  nnoremap <silent><buffer> <2-LeftMouse> :call vimwiki#base#follow_link("nosplit", "\<lt>2-LeftMouse>")<CR>
+  nnoremap <silent><buffer> <2-LeftMouse> :call vimwiki#base#follow_link('nosplit', 0, 1, "\<lt>2-LeftMouse>")<CR>
   nnoremap <silent><buffer> <S-2-LeftMouse> <LeftMouse>:VimwikiSplitLink<CR>
   nnoremap <silent><buffer> <C-2-LeftMouse> <LeftMouse>:VimwikiVSplitLink<CR>
   nnoremap <silent><buffer> <RightMouse><LeftMouse> :VimwikiGoBackLink<CR>