How does one use Firefox?
Sunday, February 13, 2005 by kona0197 | Discussion: Internet
After fighting a losing battle and after realizing how messed up IE is, I have decided to try out other browsers. I now admit that maybe even if IE is a bit faster Firefox has more features. The more features I have at my disposal the more work I can get done. Not to mention you guys are right about IE not being the most "secure" browser out there.
So I want to try to figure out Firefox first. But I need help.
My biggest gripe about Firefox was the fact it never imported favorites EXACTLY as they are laid out in Ie. I heard there is an extension or program that will import them as they are in IE?
And what extensions do I need to use tabs?
I'm sure I will have more questions soon.... Might even start using Thunderbird!
So I want to try to figure out Firefox first. But I need help.
My biggest gripe about Firefox was the fact it never imported favorites EXACTLY as they are laid out in Ie. I heard there is an extension or program that will import them as they are in IE?
And what extensions do I need to use tabs?
I'm sure I will have more questions soon.... Might even start using Thunderbird!
cakeypower
Reply #2 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 AM
Reply #2 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 AM
Just middle-click on a link to open it in a new tab. Very handy for forum browsing and ebay shopping 
nitebeast
Reply #3 Sunday, February 13, 2005 6:31 AM
Reply #3 Sunday, February 13, 2005 6:31 AM
I've been using Firefox since it was an early beta and now I only use IE for windows update. Firefox is by far THE best browser I've ever used. One of the greatest features of Firefox is that it is actively being developed. This means that any bugs and security problems are more likely to be patched very quickly, MS can't say that about IE. I also like that fact that you can bookmark entire Tab sets, block popups, built in google search, etc, etc, etc. So much good stuff.
You can also get extensions and plugins to improve your browsing experience. I use flashgot to control my download manager (Flashget) but it also works with Star Downloader and Getright and about 20+ others. I've also got a weather widget from weather.com that allows me to see upto 7 days of forecast in a Firefox toolbar.
All I can say is that Firefox does the web right!
You can also get extensions and plugins to improve your browsing experience. I use flashgot to control my download manager (Flashget) but it also works with Star Downloader and Getright and about 20+ others. I've also got a weather widget from weather.com that allows me to see upto 7 days of forecast in a Firefox toolbar.
All I can say is that Firefox does the web right!
Psikotik
Reply #4 Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:20 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:20 PM
I have to agree Firefox is a better browser. I've been using it since 0.7 and have had no complaints and I love tabbed browsing. As for extensions the mozilla homepage has extensions and themes for Firefox and I believe they are checked for not being malicious. One thing to check out though is the IDN spoofing vulnerability and how to fix it. It's a security risk recently discovered. The is a post about it here in the Internet section ( FIREFOX SPOOFING ) that has the info and links you need. Also, there are tips and tricks to speed Firefox up if you know where to look. Just be Cautious !!
Other ways to open tabs: you can open a new tab using the file menu or you can also customize the toolbar and add an "Open New Tab" button.
Other ways to open tabs: you can open a new tab using the file menu or you can also customize the toolbar and add an "Open New Tab" button.
tjesterb
Reply #5 Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:24 PM
Reply #5 Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:24 PM
To configure your tabbed browsing, Tools>Options>Advanced>Tabbed Browsing. Then select how you want it to behave. I heve mine set to open in the same window since I usually have multiple sites open at the same time, it's easier for me to manage that way. I use 4-button trackball mouse, so mouse gestures don't do much for me. I like Target Alert and IE view extensions. Target alert shows what a link links to (site, PDF, etc...) and IE View opens the same window in IE, useful for some sites that don't disply right in FF or use ActiveX for something I want to see. Or when I forget and try to get my Windows updates from FF. 
I also use the free version of Star Downloader. It plays well with FF.
Most of the fun is trying different configurations to find what works best for you.
Happy surfing dude
(yeah, I know you're more of a biking kinda guy)
I also use the free version of Star Downloader. It plays well with FF.
Most of the fun is trying different configurations to find what works best for you.
Happy surfing dude
(yeah, I know you're more of a biking kinda guy)
Larry Kuperman
Reply #6 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:07 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:07 PM
Before anything else, congratulations to Terry (Kona0197) for trying this again. It takes a lot of maturity to check it out again.
Heres a good link to get you started: https://addons.update.mozilla.org/extensions/?os=Windows&application=firefox
I use Tabbrowser Preferences and Adblock from that page. Foxytunes is also nice: http://www.iosart.com/foxytunes/firefox/help.html
AboutSite and SpellBound (no that you need a spellchecker, you have Jafo!) are cool. ImageZoom is also good.
You have been right all along that Firefox takes a few seconds to open at first. This can be tweaked, but their are negative effects. I just don't do it.
Let us know how it works for you!
koop
Heres a good link to get you started: https://addons.update.mozilla.org/extensions/?os=Windows&application=firefox
I use Tabbrowser Preferences and Adblock from that page. Foxytunes is also nice: http://www.iosart.com/foxytunes/firefox/help.html
AboutSite and SpellBound (no that you need a spellchecker, you have Jafo!) are cool. ImageZoom is also good.
You have been right all along that Firefox takes a few seconds to open at first. This can be tweaked, but their are negative effects. I just don't do it.
Let us know how it works for you!
koop
kona0197
Reply #7 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:22 PM
Reply #7 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:22 PM
OK I am checking things out but I still need a solution to the IE favorites problems. Firefox will list them alphabetically - I don't want them that way. I want them laid out as they are in IE.
tjesterb
Reply #8 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:26 PM
Reply #8 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:26 PM
kona, if you go to bookmarks>manage bookmarks and click "view" there are different view options. Maybe if you play with it a little you can get it pretty close to how it looked in IE.
Essencay
Reply #9 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:29 PM
Favorites....has someone made a plugin for Firefox that does the same thing as IE's personalized favorites? Meaning after a certain amount of time bookmarks are hidden from view, but still there unless you click on "more". That way you're not browsing through around 1000 bookmarks like I have.
Reply #9 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:29 PM
| I want them laid out as they are in IE. |
Favorites....has someone made a plugin for Firefox that does the same thing as IE's personalized favorites? Meaning after a certain amount of time bookmarks are hidden from view, but still there unless you click on "more". That way you're not browsing through around 1000 bookmarks like I have.
dharmagrl
Reply #10 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 PM
Reply #10 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 PM
Glad to see that you're giving it another try......I'm taking Kupe's advice and checking out the 'foxytunes'.....
kona0197
Reply #11 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 PM
Reply #11 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:36 PM
No SNK - I have them listed in a order I think is just right. When imported into Firefox they are listed alphabetically. That means I have to reorder them one by one. NOT FUN. 
Essencay
Reply #12 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:45 PM
Reply #12 Sunday, February 13, 2005 5:45 PM
That's too bad about there not being a plugin...Maxthon doesn't use IE's personalized favorites either. I find myself now when I'm bouncing between skin sites using Maxthon, because of the tabs and when I'm just browsing around the net, using IE.
tjesterb
Reply #13 Sunday, February 13, 2005 8:52 PM
Reply #13 Sunday, February 13, 2005 8:52 PM
Kona, maybe this could help: https://update.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?application=firefox&version=1.0&os=Linux&numpg=10&id=14
it's and estension that allows you to import a set of bookmarks from an FTP. If you have an FTP available, you could upload your IE faves and use Bookmark synchronizer to import them.
seems a little over complicated to me, but hey, it could work. It seems funnythat it rearranged your faves/bookmarks. I imported my IE faves into FF 6.x and they showed up in the exact same order. There was just a tab in the bookmarks menu for "Imported IE Favorites" Maybe the newer revisions lost that feature.
it's and estension that allows you to import a set of bookmarks from an FTP. If you have an FTP available, you could upload your IE faves and use Bookmark synchronizer to import them.
seems a little over complicated to me, but hey, it could work. It seems funnythat it rearranged your faves/bookmarks. I imported my IE faves into FF 6.x and they showed up in the exact same order. There was just a tab in the bookmarks menu for "Imported IE Favorites" Maybe the newer revisions lost that feature.
tjesterb
Reply #14 Sunday, February 13, 2005 9:22 PM
Reply #14 Sunday, February 13, 2005 9:22 PM
This one looks more promising: https://update.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?application=firefox&version=1.0&os=Windows&numpg=10&id=336
kona0197
Reply #15 Sunday, February 13, 2005 11:27 PM
Reply #15 Sunday, February 13, 2005 11:27 PM
Well I'm not going to worry about the favorites right now. I tries some of the above extensions and it wiped my IE favorites out somehow. After many system restores I got most of them back. I'm due for a reformat/reinstall soon anyhow.
Right now I need infor on turning on tabs and how to make Firefox load 4 pages when starting in tabs. I'm using version 1.0PR if it matters.
I'm also going to check out Maxthon.
Right now I need infor on turning on tabs and how to make Firefox load 4 pages when starting in tabs. I'm using version 1.0PR if it matters.
I'm also going to check out Maxthon.
tjesterb
Reply #16 Monday, February 14, 2005 12:02 AM
Reply #16 Monday, February 14, 2005 12:02 AM
To open a group of tabs on launch, open the four sites you want in tabs ( you may need an "open new tab" icon on your toolbar if you don't already have one there. To put one there right-click on teh toolbar, and from teh window that opens drag the "new tab" icon onto the toolbar) You can get the 4 tabs open either by opening a new tab with the icon you just dragged onto the toolbar, and then typing in the site address, or you can right-click on a bookmark and and select "open in new tab" Once you have the sites you want open, go to Tools>Options select the General button, and under "Home Page" select "use current"
If you're still using the 1.0PR, you may want to switch up to the final 1.0. I think there were several bugs fixed between the two.
It's late and I'm tired,so forgive the spelling and spacing errors.
If you're still using the 1.0PR, you may want to switch up to the final 1.0. I think there were several bugs fixed between the two.
It's late and I'm tired,so forgive the spelling and spacing errors.
Kevin_C
Reply #17 Tuesday, February 15, 2005 9:33 AM
OK, the best extension for extending the built in tab support is:
http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/tbe
It will allow you to control every aspect of tabbed browsing and then some. It will let you manage tabs in groups and it will let you do like you mentioned and open a previous group of however many tabs you want when FF starts up.
As far as the favorites go, you might want to look into something like:
http://companion.mozdev.org/
This extension basically adds the Yahoo toolbar to FF. I know you're probably asking yourself why would you want to use the Yahoo toolbar when you can use the Google toolbar. Well, I use it because the Yahoo toolbar lets you store your favorites online, so you can have access to them from ANY computer you use, which as you can imagine is VERY handy. I believe it will even import from IE, it probably won't order them exactly like you want but if you go through the pain once, you'll never have to do it again because they will stay online even through re-installs and upgrades to your OS.
If you need some more good extensions let me know, I use about 10 right now and all of them are quite handy.
Good Luck!!
Reply #17 Tuesday, February 15, 2005 9:33 AM
| Right now I need infor on turning on tabs and how to make Firefox load 4 pages when starting in tabs. I'm using version 1.0PR if it matters |
OK, the best extension for extending the built in tab support is:
http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/tbe
It will allow you to control every aspect of tabbed browsing and then some. It will let you manage tabs in groups and it will let you do like you mentioned and open a previous group of however many tabs you want when FF starts up.
As far as the favorites go, you might want to look into something like:
http://companion.mozdev.org/
This extension basically adds the Yahoo toolbar to FF. I know you're probably asking yourself why would you want to use the Yahoo toolbar when you can use the Google toolbar. Well, I use it because the Yahoo toolbar lets you store your favorites online, so you can have access to them from ANY computer you use, which as you can imagine is VERY handy. I believe it will even import from IE, it probably won't order them exactly like you want but if you go through the pain once, you'll never have to do it again because they will stay online even through re-installs and upgrades to your OS.
If you need some more good extensions let me know, I use about 10 right now and all of them are quite handy.
Good Luck!!
Dovelady8
Reply #18 Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:51 AM
Reply #18 Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:51 AM
Tabbed browsing is wonderful - if you do not use a Logitech mouse to do it. I had to buy another mouse just to be able to middle click and have a link open up in a tab.
Maxthon is based on the IE shell - so there are potential problems because of this. Maxthon is stable, too. If you install/use Maxthon while FF is loaded, your URL links won't open in FF unless you uninstall Maxthon.
Be *very careful* with any tweaks to speed up FF's performance. My computer almost crashed totally when I tried one of the fixes. Psikotik is right.
Overall, Firefox 1.0 is a solid choice and one you won't regret. Knowing FF isn't vulnerable to problems the way IE is, is worth my peace of mind.
Maxthon is based on the IE shell - so there are potential problems because of this. Maxthon is stable, too. If you install/use Maxthon while FF is loaded, your URL links won't open in FF unless you uninstall Maxthon.
Be *very careful* with any tweaks to speed up FF's performance. My computer almost crashed totally when I tried one of the fixes. Psikotik is right.
Overall, Firefox 1.0 is a solid choice and one you won't regret. Knowing FF isn't vulnerable to problems the way IE is, is worth my peace of mind.
CerebroJD
Reply #19 Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:39 AM
Reply #19 Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:39 AM
Time since reformat: 5 weeks
Spyware on computer: 2 items
This is using Firefox...the last time I tried it with IE, I averaged about 9 per day.
Spyware on computer: 2 items
This is using Firefox...the last time I tried it with IE, I averaged about 9 per day.
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Reply #1 Sunday, February 13, 2005 4:54 AM
1. Security wise - always ensure you are comfortable with the 'provider' of an extension before downloading. It is a potential weakness. You will see that the browser will not allow you to automatically download from a new source - you will have to give it permission.
2. I would take your time and install your extensions gradually. That way if one does cause a conflict it will be easier to identify.
3. Even if you really enjoy it and never intend to open IE again - keep your machine up to date as if you were still using IE.
Edit: It's been ages since I configured mine - but I'm fairly sure Tabs are a default provision. You just have to call them up. Options include right clicking on a link and selecting 'open link in new tab' or holding down 'Ctrl' key and then left clicking on link as normal. Another one is to drag the 'new tab' icon onto the toolbar. Do this by right clicking on an empty area of the toolbar and choosing 'customize' from the menu. This will present you with an assortment of icon options which grow as you add extensions. These can simply be dragged on and off of your toolbar.
I would recommend you start off by ensuring you have 'adblock' and 'cookie culler' as your basics.
Cheers.