Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

August 13, 2008

Time to Save Time When You’re Browsing

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 11:07 am

Working Plans logo

This week Chris Hebert has dropped share a blog post. You might know her blog WebDazzling, if you don’t yet this will give you a reason to check it. Great writing and great information.

Make Your Browser Save You Time
by Chris Hebert

Do you have a routine? Most everyone does. I am like most nuclear physicsts (got your attention didn’t I, just kidding) with several customary websites I visit each morning. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have our browser do the work for us instead of opening several browser windows or tabs each morning? If you use Internet Explorer or FireFox/Mozilla than I have just the trick for you!

What is a Browser Tab?

IE tab 300x 21



What is a browser tab anyway? In Internet Explorer 6 & 7, or Firefox/Mozilla you have the ability to open a new tab each time you explore a new site or start a new search. For those of you who do not know what a tab is within your browser, complete this quick experiment for me. Select “File -> New Tab” and you should now be the proud owner of a new tab.

Why Use Tabs?

The benefit of tab view in a browser is the simplicity of working with one browser window and benefiting from the ability to jump between tabs, as opposed to having several windows open and try to fumble through your task bar and possibly click the wrong link. Come on, we all have did this once or twice. In addition to jumping from tab to tab, the ability to re-order tabs allows the user to prioritize their viewing experience. Merely select the desired tab to move and drag the tab into your order preference.

How To Start Browsing with Multi-tabs

Internet Explorer 6 & 7

Internet Explorer 6 and 7



1. Select “Tools” (depending on your tool bar, it may be on the upper right or lower left)
2. Select “Internet Options”
3. Make sure the “General Tab” is selected (should default to this tab)
4. Your current website home page should be highlighted in blue. We are going to leave it. (If you wish to erase it and change your current home page - press “Backspace” or “Delete” to erase it)
5. Place your cursor at the end of your current home page and “Enter/Return” to the next line (your original site should still be in tact)
6. Type or paste the new URL (website address) name you want to use, then “Enter/Return” to the next line
7. Repeat #4 as many times as necessary (here is an example of what it should start looking like)

http://www.yourfavoritewebsitehere.com
http://www.yourotherwebsitehere.com
http://www.webdazzling.com
http://www.google.com

8. Select “OK” to exit from the “General Tab”
9. Close and Restart your browser to see them all open

Firefox/Mozilla

FireFox / Mozilla



1. Select “Tools -> Options” (MAC USERS select “Firefox -> Preferences”)
2. Make sure the “MainTab” is selected (should default to this tab)
3. In the “Home Page:” field, enter the addresses you want to use and separate them with a pipe symbol (shift + \ ) between each URL. With or without spaces between each URL, it didn’t seem to mind (here is an example of what it should start looking like)

http://www.myfavoritewebsite.com | http://www.webdazzling.com

4. Select “OK” (MAC USERS close the “preferences box”)

Let’s Get Colorful & Organized

FireFox colortabs



One last trick I would like to share with you, now that you are a tab owner. The ability to have tabs is a great feature, but what if you could color the tabs different colors? If your default browser is Firefox/Mozilla there is a addon https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1368. (I am not aware of a color tab option for Internet Explorer at this time.)

Want to Work Like an Expert?

Shortcuts with Tabs

Open New Tab = Ctrl + T (MAC USERS command + T)
Close Current Tab = Ctrl + W (MAC USERS command + W)

By utilizing these handy web browsing tips, anyone can go from being a novice web surfer to an expert in quick fashion. Don’t be afraid to explore, some of my best work has happened by accident! Go on, save yourself a click with these handy web browsing tricks.

Chris Hebert is a web designer with a passion for learning computer skills and passiong that information in a clear and simple format. You’ll find more of herarticles at WebDazzling.com

Thanks Chris!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Buy the ebook and find out the secret.





Filed under Successful Blog, Tools |




C'mon. Let's talk!

11 Comments to “Time to Save Time When You’re Browsing”

  1. August 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
    Kurt said

    I’m pretty sure that tabs didn’t show up in IE until version 7. Tabs were one of the best features (along with extensions/add-ons) in Firefox 2+. Microsoft knew they had to do tabs in their next browser, and we got IE7.

    Tabs can save you time at the start of your day, but your technique of making the multiple tabs your home page gets old when you have to start new browser instances all day long.

    I will only use Firefox (like all civilized/enlightened individuals :) ), unless I am forced into IE for some reason. It is all around a better browser.

  2. August 13th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
    Cath Lawson said

    Hi Chris - thanks. This sounds like something that even I could manage. I’ve always admired the folk that know every single shortcut key on the computer. It’s something I’ve never been able to grasp.

  3. August 13th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
    Ari Herzog said

    Tabbed browsing is also an option in Safari, in case any readers use that.

    Another neat Firefox browsing trick (I don’t know if IE or Safari have this feature) is if the words on the screen are too big or small, you can hold down the CTRL key and press + or - to increase or decrease the zoom.

  4. August 13th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
    Writer Dad said

    I love my tabs. If I didn’t use them, I’d probably visit one site a day. Okay, maybe two.

  5. August 13th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
    Chris said

    Hi Chris, I have been using tabs with Firefox for some time now but nothing like this. This is a real time saver. I hit the same 10 or 20 sites a day and this will save me allot of time.

    Best regards,
    Chris

    Professional Resume Tips

  6. August 13th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
    Todd Jordan said

    Ari,

    Yes, Safari works the same way except it’s command +/-.

    Yes, Safari has tabs. Sadly there aren’t any real plug-ins for Safari at this time.

    Good tips about the starting up with multiple tabs. I like to keep about 8 to 10 open all the time, sometimes double that on a busy evening.

  7. August 13th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
    14 dos sites (blogs) para web designer mais úteis da Internet | SmileHappy said

    [...] Time to Save Time When You’re Browsing bb_keywords = “design, tecnologia”; bb_bid = “1218″; bb_lang = “pt-BR”; bb_name = “custom”; bb_width = “500″; bb_limit = “5″;  Enviar este post  Imprimir este post Mensagens Relacionadas: Olá mundo! [...]

  8. August 14th, 2008 at 1:13 am
    Jim Murdoch said

    I use Firefox and coloured tabs but I also make use of a wee program called Speed Dial in which a window appears with shortcuts to all your favourite sites because I don’t want every one every day. The standard setting is 3 x 3 but you can customise it; I have a 4 x 3 setup at the moment. Opera also has a speed dial facility.

  9. August 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
    Chris Hebert said

    Kurt: Thank you for your comment. I confirmed today that you can use tabs in IE6.

    Ari: Ctrl +/- works with many programs to enlarge and decrease images. Thanks for sharing that point I did hit on. That short cut also works in Adobe products too. I am sure there are many others as well.

    Jim: Thank you for your comment about speed dial. I will research this. Thanks for sharing!

    Chris Hebert
    http://www.webdazzling.com

  10. August 18th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
    rakesh said

    Thanks Chris!..
    I am searching for this answer from 2 days…
    Finally I got the Answer…
    Thank u .
    Thank u Chris..

  11. September 1st, 2008 at 11:20 am
    Chris Hebert said

    Rakesh: I know how frustrating it can be to not find an answer quickly while surfing the Internet. I am thankful I was able to help someone with what I have learned along the way.

    Chris Hebert
    http://webdazzling.com

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!