Firefox 0.9 Questions

[Jason Dunn]

Ok, so I figured I'd try the latest version of Firefox after hearing so many people rant about it. Pretty good so far, but I'm still stuck on the same issues that I had with the last version I tried.

Tabbed Browsing rocks, but Firefox doesn't seem to make it easy to use. Here's what I want but haven't figured out how to do:

1) New links to open up automatically as tabs. I want a "contained" single-window browser where all Web sites are in the same Firefox session. Isn't that the whole point of tabbed browsing? I don't want links to open up a new instance of Firefox.

2) Keyboard shortcuts to move from tab to tab. I cant' seem to find how to do that.

3) I find it visually distracting that the blinking cursor for typing is actually OVER the letters as you type rather than being behind it as with every other Windows program. I don't imagine there's a way to adjust this, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks for any input!

[Jason Dunn]

Ok, so I figured I'd try the latest version of Firefox after hearing so many people rant about it. Pretty good so far, but I'm still stuck on the same issues that I had with the last version I tried.

Tabbed Browsing rocks, but Firefox doesn't seem to make it easy to use. Here's what I want but haven't figured out how to do:

1) New links to open up automatically as tabs. I want a "contained" single-window browser where all Web sites are in the same Firefox session. Isn't that the whole point of tabbed browsing? I don't want links to open up a new instance of Firefox.

2) Keyboard shortcuts to move from tab to tab. I cant' seem to find how to do that.

3) I find it visually distracting that the blinking cursor for typing is actually OVER the letters as you type rather than being behind it as with every other Windows program. I don't imagine there's a way to adjust this, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks for any input!

[murph]

1) install "Tabbrowser Extensions" Extension. There is a setting for this extension that fixes this.
2) CTRL-TAB cycles through tabs. CTRL-1 switches to first tab, CTRL-2 switches to second tab, etc.

[Jason Dunn]

1) Can't seem to find that on the Firefox Extensions page:

http://update.mozilla.org/extensions...wsing&numpg=10

I searched through the "All" category and couldn't find it either.

2) Aha! Awesome, thanks!

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

1) New links to open up automatically as tabs. I want a "contained" single-window browser where all Web sites are in the same Firefox session. Isn't that the whole point of tabbed browsing? I don't want links to open up a new instance of Firefox.

Here is the link to Tabbrowser Extensions. Two warnings: a) it's an amazingly, HUGELY complex tool that lets you customize tab behavior in every imaginable way possible, so give it time -- I personally love the customization; b) there are some small quirks as Firefox 0.9 came out after it -- nothing seriously major, but I can't wait for the next update (he releases an update once every week or two).

2) Keyboard shortcuts to move from tab to tab. I cant' seem to find how to do that.

Another pair is CTRL-PGUP and CTRL-PGDN - those are my preferred controls.

3) I find it visually distracting that the blinking cursor for typing is actually OVER the letters as you type rather than being behind it as with every other Windows program. I don't imagine there's a way to adjust this, but I thought I'd ask.

Hm? I don't have this problem? :| As I'm typing the letters, the caret is immediately to the right of the last character I typed, a la Word or IE.

--janak

[Jacob]

For #1 you might want to look at Tab Browser Preferences instead - Tab Browser Extensions has every option including the kitchen sink and some have reported it slowing the browser down.

Tab Browser Preferences allows single window mode and is smaller, although has less options.

I could find both here although I would make sure they've been updated for 0.9 first.

[draiken]

to open links in tabs do a CTRL-CLICK it will open on a new tab, instead of in a new window

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Draiken

to open links in tabs do a CTRL-CLICK it will open on a new tab, instead of in a new window

Oh, right - we're giving the complex answers. A middle-click will also work. The extensions just allow the browser to "force" single window mode.

--janak

[murph]

i used to use NetCaptor for browsing until i switched to Firefox. if i could switch the tab switching to F2 and F3 (like it was in Netcaptor) i could die a happy man.

a single keypress for swapping tabs would be soooo much better.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by murph

a single keypress for swapping tabs would be soooo much better.

I'm with ya! That's really what I'm looking for as well.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by murph

i used to use NetCaptor for browsing until i switched to Firefox. if i could switch the tab switching to F2 and F3 (like it was in Netcaptor) i could die a happy man.

There's probably an extension or preference that lets you remap keys. For me, though, with tabbrowser extensions you can actually use the mouse wheel to switch between tabs - just hover over the tabbar and roll - and I'm totally addicted to that gesture.

--janak