Firefox:Tabbed Browsing:Scratch Pad

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Revision as of 02:08, 31 January 2005 by AlliXSenoS (talk | contribs)
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What's missing in 1.0? by AlliXSenoS

This is my first ever Wiki page so excuse my lack of skill ;)

I'm here to say what I need from tabbed browsing in firefox and don't get from the vanilla version. I use TBE (I know most of you frown upon hearing it's name) for that extra oomph. So what DOES TBE actually bring into the picture that's actually worth talking about?

Here it is:

  • the ability to force single window mode
  • customizable tabbar actions
  • minor UI customizations

Single window mode

I've been waiting for this since forever. No more taskbar clutter. Yay!

Single window mode means: tabbar always visible, everything and anything that would open in a new window (be it a full interface window or just a popup) opens in a new tab

Single window mode should definitely be a built-in feature (but not something that can't be turned off... it doesn't even have to be on by default), it is a real time saver.

Options for single window mode should include a way to define which actions result in a new background tab, new foreground tab or new bg tab which grabs focus when it's fully loaded (I don't think anywone in their right mind would use this, but hey, who am I to judge?). the list includes:

  • links
  • links with target="_blank"
  • bookmarks
  • bookmarks toolbar
  • history
  • javascript popups

each of these (except, well, the last one ;) ) can be activated by a normal (left) click or a wheel (mid) click. these should be two different actions.

Customizable tabbar actions

I configure TBE as follows:

  • tab dbl click = duplicate tab
  • tab mid click = close tab
  • tab bar dbl click = new blank tab
  • tab bar mid click = undo close tab

these can, of course, be modified (and this is not the default setup)... there is a whole range of settings for these four actions: reload, move, close all to the left, close all to the right, close all other, close all...

Also, one VERY IMPORTANT thing. Switching tabs with the scroll wheel. Eternal blessings to the deity that invented that. It should most definitely be part of firefox.

minor UI customizations

The tabbar close button - awful... the per-tab close button some extensions create - even more awful. I've never clicked either one since the day I started using firefox. I can see how some people might find it useful so it's ok to leave it there by default. But there should be an option to remove it (them).

TBE also has a feature that shows a progress bar in the tabs while they're loading. This is great for opening up a ton of links in the background.

Ehh... that's all from me. I don't come here often, so please contact me for further discussion at allixsenos@gmail.com