Firefox 3 addons: Tabbrowser Preferences

As with every new version of Firefox you can expect there will be addons that won't be compatible with the new version immediately after the Firefox release.

It's all good until it happens to you, right? ;)

It's all good until this happens with your must-have-or-die Firefox extension, right?

Well, something like that happened to me. More specifically, not only is the addon incompatible with Firefox 3, but the project seems to be d.e.a.d. - and that stinks... :(

So, without further ado, for all the users of Tabbrowser Preferences, this isn't Tabbrowser Preferences for Firefox 3, but it's a way to get to almost all of it's features even without it.

All you need to do is open this txt file, modify the values inside to your liking and then save it into your Firefox profile (How to find your profile?) and voila!
All of the settings are now saved in Firefox 3, even without Tabbrowser preferences! (OK, truth is I got a little carried away, since some of the settings were tied to Tabbrowser preferences and you'll see which ones I'm talking about because they are commented in the above txt file)

It's easy to modify the values. Just change the true/false or the integral value where it shows up.

You can help others and share this resource to the world using the self explaining button below.


UPDATE, June 20th:
If you came here without seeing what Lawrence Webb, a.k.a larryvgs on addons.mozilla.org suggested "For those who MUST HAVE their tabs on the bottom", here's a solution for you:

Put the following in your userChrome.css file (it doesn't exist by default but it should be located in the sub-folder called chrome in your profile folder) or just open this userChrome.css and save it in your chrome folder.

/* Display the Tabbar at the bottom */
#content > tabbox {-moz-box-direction: reverse;}

The orginal instructions are supposedly at support.mozilla.com.


UPDATE, July 2nd:
There's now a new and still experimental addon Tab Focus for all of you who can't live without Tabbrowser Preferences' "Select tabs when the mouse is moved onto them" feature. Thanks TDM for letting us know!

Posted on June 19, 2008 ~ 18 comments


Google In Command Line!

Goosh.org is a new web "google-interface" that behaves similar to a Unix shell.

It's great, you type a command and the results come up. You can even use cursor up and down for command history - I actually used to fool myself at times expecting normal Google search could do this, just like I expect almost any application now to have what Firefox refers to as "Search for text when I start typing" - even if I already know the application doesn't have this feature.

For anybody who's used to Unix style command line like I am, this is really fun to use.

Contrary to what you may think of command line if you're not used to it and never really tried it (and I can't speak for any other than Unix type) it actually beats using mouse on a graphical interface to accomplish some things. And I'm not even some command line "power user", just reap the benefits of it whenever I can. ;)

I'll give you an example for Goosh: in Google, when I search for something I scroll down through the results and if I wish to see another page, I have to point with my pointer on the page number or "Next", which, once you've tried it in command line (Goosh) becomes simply too slow. In command line you just type "m" and then Enter and voila! You're there already, on the next page.
(disclaimer: I use ThinkPad and a TrackPoint so my fingers are always on the keyboard and I feel the benefits of using keyboard shortcuts for those who know what I mean)

And I have to hand it to the man behind the Goosh, Stephen Grothkopp - Goosh is blazingly fast! I don't know how he accomplished that but it's like I'm executing commands on my own system! I know Google is fast as well but this really seems faster when searching, part of which I'm sure is due to showing only 4 results at time, but still gives a great impression.

Posted on June 06, 2008 ~ Write a comment


How Google thinks?

Interesting how Google sometimes surprises me...

I searched for the idiom 'get a grip' as I was corresponding with someone by e-mail and wanted to make sure I'm using it correctly...

Anyway, after I entered 'get a grip' in Firefox Search box and pressed Enter, I quickly went back to my e-mail to finish it.

I later got back to Firefox and had something to see:

Image of Google results for get a grip

I'm not implying anything, but what did you think that baby was holding at first?

P.S. This is my very first impulsive posting here! Hurraay!!

Posted on March 30, 2008 ~ Write a comment


Usability tips for bloggers

Not claiming to be an expert in blogging (can one be that, anyway?) but I'm sure I could teach many bloggers out there about some web usability.

Isn't it a shame when you've got a great content on one side, and a "blog design" on the other side so terrible people have to look away.
I don't care what somebody says, but blue font on black background is not cool, it's just C-R-U-E-L to my eyes, nothing more.

This post has been written mainly out of frustration but I'll make it worthwhile to those who desperately need some guidance.

And if you know about a website, a page or even a small book (it would have to be free) that will benefit these unfortunate newborn bloggers to stop terrorizing people, please post a comment and I'll gladly update this post.

I, for one, often return to one source for usability guidelines over and over again: http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/.
Definitely bookmark this one. Better yet, read it :)

P.S. This doesn't apply only to bloggers, sadly...

Posted on March 25, 2008 ~ Write a comment


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