Resource types

Yes, there is (moodle 1.5.3+):
In the file .../mod/resource/type/file/resource.class.php erase the five letters marked yellow in the following code segment (near the end of the file):

        $windowtype = ($CFG->resource_popup) ? 'popup' : 'page';

        if (empty($form->options)) {

            $form->options = 'frame';

            $form->reference = $CFG->resource_defaulturl;

        }

    }

This will change the default of new file resources to "unchecked" while retaining the ability to turn the option on again.

Regards, Klaus