For all the things that the most recent versions of Firefox have done for simplifying the interface, why do we still need to have a separate box for searches? If you are like me and are needing a way to simplify the browser even more – try out Instantfox.
Tag Archives | shortcuts
Page Zoom in Firefox
Page zooming is a Firefox feature that is often overlooked. It was a new feature added to Firefox 3, which in turn allowed you to increase or decrease the size of a web page to help improve the readability. So, how can you take advantage of this magnificent feature inside of Firefox?
Bring All the Google Shortcuts into Firefox
Would you like to have quick and easy access to everything Google with just one or two clicks of your mouse in Firefox? That is what the Google Shortcuts add-on for Firefox promises to deliver. The idea here is simple. This extension will display any or all Google services as buttons next to your address bar or anywhere else you would like for it to show up.
Mouse Tips for Firefox Fans
There is a lot you can do with Firefox when it comes to the mouse. Now, most of the time people focus on all the keyboard shortcuts you can do with Firefox – however, the mouse shortcuts are equally as cool.
Second Look at a New Tab King
It has been a while since I checked out the New Tab King add-on for Firefox, and I have to say I am impressed with the progression of the Firefox extension. For those of you who don’t know, New Tab King replaces your blank new tab with a much more functional page of tools.
You get instant access to recently closed tabs, personalized suggested sites and even shortcuts to your desktop applications.
The most recent release also comes with 7 built in themes, so you have a few more ways to customize it to suit your needs.
There is no reason why, these days, your new tab should be empty and bland. With the New Tab King add-on for Firefox, you can make the new tab page and the Firefox browser even more functional than it was before.
Use Firefox to Customize Your Web
I think everybody, at times, would like to be able to customize certain web sites to better meet their goals. Now, I am not talking about simple visual edits – like making the background black and the text white. How about adding keyboard shortcuts for certain web site links and navigation elements? You an do that and more with the Customize Your Web add-on for Firefox.
So do you want to customize web sites without writing one single line of code? Check out this video tutorial for a little more information about the Customize Your Web add-on for Firefox.
Some of the other customizations featured include:
- Removal and rearrangement of elements (cut / copy / paste behavior)
Modifying of elements in every possible way (changing size, color, default values etc.) - Definition of keyboard shortcuts / shortstrings for any clickable element (shortstrings are multi-character shortcuts, e.g. "SO" for a "Sign out" Button)
- Adding keyboard navigation support for any list of elements (e.g. for the result entries of search)
- Insertion of arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code
- Definition of small macros which are triggered by a shortcut
- Automatically triggering actions on page load (e.g. for automatic click on a login button or focusing a special field)
I am just having fun playing around with this add-on figuring out all the things I can do with it. For some, it might seem a little complex, however there is extensive documentation to help you along.
You can pick up the Customize Your Web add-on for Firefox from the Firefox Add-ons site or from Mouseless.de.
Disable and Undo Tab Tearing in Firefox 3.5
One of the new features coming to Firefox 3.5 was tab tearing. What has become a nuisance for some, it lets you drag a tab outside of Firefox and launch in a new window. I kind of like the feature, however if you do not – there is an add-on that will help sooth your pain.
You will want to pickup the bug489729 add-on for Firefox. This oddly named extension comes with two main controls. You can:
- Disable Detach Tab – use this to disable tab tearing
- Enable Drop URL – use this to be able to drag a tab to your desktop to create a shortcut.
Now, what if you want to keep tab tearing, however you would like the ability to undo a tab detachment? Then you need to pick up the Undo Detach Tab add-on for Firefox. As the name says, it will add a context menu option where you can undo your tab tearing.
Firefox’s Navigation Bar Keyboard Combo Cheat Sheet (for Macs)
Doing my part to share the knowledge around, a lot of people have requested that I do more to post alternative operating system keyboard combinations here.
So, for those of you who live the Apple lifestyle, here is the way you can navigate around the navigation bar without having to ever lay your fingers on your one button mouse. If you know of any more (because as you can see, I am not a big Apple user) please share in the comments. Would love to build up a database of more keyboard shortcuts for everybody to use.
Navigation Bar Keyboard Shortcuts
Choose Your OS: Windows | Linux | Mac OS
Cmd + [ or Cmd + Left Arrow or Delete = Go Back a Page
Cmd + ] or Cmd + Right Arrow or Shift + Delete = Go Forward a Page
Opt + Home = Go to your Homepage
F5 or Cmd + R = Reload a Page
Cmd + . or Esc = Stop a Page from Loading
Cmd + P = Bring up the Print Options
Cmd + J = Launch the Download Window
Cmd + Shift + H = Open Your History in the Sidebar
Cmd + B = Open Your Bookmarks in the Sidebar
Cmd + T = New Tab
Cmd + N = New Browser Window
Cmd + X = Cut
Cmd + C = Copy
Cmd + V = Paste
For the Apple fans out there, here are a few more bonus keyboard combinations, that should help assist you in getting your browsing done a little faster.
- Cmd + F = Find
- Cmd + Home = Go to the Top of a Web Page
- Cmd + End = Go to the Bottom of a Web Page
- Cmd + Shift + T = Reopen the Last Closed Tab
Know of anymore Firefox keyboard shortcuts that would be useful for your fellow Apple fans to know? Drop in a comment and share!
Add Keyboard Shortcuts to Your Bookmarks
Want to have the power of your bookmark collection right at your fingertips? SiteLauncher will allow you to assign keyboard shortcuts to all your favorite bookmarks.
To launch, all you have to do is hit Ctrl+Space (or for the Mac users Ctrl+Alt). If you want to use it without the graphical launcher above, use Shift+Alt (or Shift+Ctrl for the Mac users).
Some of the best features include the ability to customize the appearance, set the launcher to open in current or new tabs, set the launcher up as your homepage and you can add as many sites to it as you need to.
You can get more information about it via the official web site, and download it via the Firefox Add-ons site. It is nice to see a good looking and well thought out extension – and this one fits the bill.
Inquisitor Comes to Firefox
There has been a lot of buzz around Inquisitor, the new search engine plugin for Firefox from Yahoo. It promises to “speed up your searches like no other”. Does it deliver?
The idea here is to search right from the search box, rather than be taken to a new page to view your search results. Inquisitor, over time, will learn to understand you better and tailor your results to suit your needs.
Keyboard shortcuts, that you can add yourself will help extend the searches to other search engine providers too.
It has pretty written all over it. Visually, this is one of the best looking add-ons for Firefox I have used in a really long time. Watch this video tease to see it in action.
For more information, be sure to check out the official site:
When push comes to shove, I am still a fan of the Firefox search box. If you want a powerful alternative to Inquisitor though, I would highly suggest the CyberSearch add-on from CyberNet News.
