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Could the future of Firefox be a browser without tabs?
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Once upon a time Firefox, Internet Explorer, and all the other browsers didn't have tabs. Life has become much simpler since tabs were invented. But developer Oliver Reichenstein says browser tabs worked well back when we'd only have a few web pages open at a time. Now that it's not uncommon for users to have a dozen or more tabs, it's increasingly difficult to tell what's going on in the browser tab bar or find the tab you're looking for.
Reichenstein created a mockup of a version of Firefox that looks a lot like iTunes. Instead of tabs and bookmarks, you could tag web pages to make it easy to sort or search for pages by category. Each time you click on a link it would take you to the page as you last visited it.
Somehow I doubt we'll see Mozilla take this radical a departure from the common browser tab in time for the launch of Firefox 3.5. But perhaps a no-tab interface could be available as an option in future builds.
[via ReadWriteWeb]
Comments
32
Subscribe to commentsaanidaaniApr 14th 2009 5:47PM
I don't see how this is any different than tabs. Instead of having a horizontal tab bar, he wants to implement a vertical tab bar. The idea of frequently visited pages and such is nice, but it's nothing new. Firefox already has dynamic bookmarks.
acmeApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
agreed, this is useless. It just wastes alot more screen real estate
k4ffyApr 15th 2009 9:41AM
not even that. from the article:
"Before you get a heart attack: This sketch is not about eliminating tabs, but trying to reduce them by offering a file system (instead of a blank screen) in each new tab"
he just wants to change what the "new tab" displays. infact, in the second screenshot on the article, tabs are clearly visible.
supernova_hqApr 15th 2009 5:20AM
Sounds like something that could easily be done as an extension.
BigBossSNKApr 14th 2009 6:14PM
The nightly builds for FF have added an interesting and relevant feature.
The tab list button (click to show a drop down text menu of open tabs) has been replaced by a tab button (click to show a visual preview - selector of open tabs, much like you see in the picture).
AND there's a search function for page title text.
Now, if I could move that tab button on the Navigation bar, I'd ditch the tab bar altogether.
As for performance, there doesn't seem to be an issue. I'm using FF 3.6a1pre on an Acer Aspire 110 without a hitch.
MikeyApr 15th 2009 7:45AM
IE8 has this, it's called "Quick Tabs" and I agree, it's damn useful.
rcarmApr 14th 2009 7:00PM
What's wrong with Ctrl+Tab and Shift+Ctrl+Tab?
KeegdnaBApr 14th 2009 7:27PM
Please no.
Dear Mozilla,
If you dare to change firefox to something resembling the world's most popular musical speadsheet I will have no choice but to say [warning: cheap wordplay to follow] screw you guys, I'm going chrome.
Level 5Apr 14th 2009 10:26PM
Ha! +1 for you buddy that was hilarious.
mkoApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
Kinda Like Opera's Windows sidebar?
Chris ParisApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
I like how The Pirate Bay is one of the tabs --- er, thumbnails -- showing. Go Firefox Development Team illegal downloaders!
YamikotaiApr 19th 2009 9:00AM
There are plenty of legal torrents at TBP.
JordanApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
Please Mr. Linder, just Rickroll me next time before regurgitating this crap from RWW! The end result would be much more pleasing.
psycrosApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
This headline should've ready, "Mac worshipping dev tries to sabotage FF to give Safari a chance".
AbscissaApr 14th 2009 10:26PM
Whatever method the Firefox devs go with, being the FF devs, there's at least one thing we can be certain of: It won't be optional.
ZeroCoolFoolApr 15th 2009 7:44AM
Looks like the browser guys got nothing to do. How about turning over to thunderbird and finally make it the Outlook killer app that we all have been waiting for. Dang, Tabs guys really? Tabs? How putting some brain power in to sandboxing?
Kenn.keeperApr 15th 2009 7:44AM
Opera already has an app called Speedial. FireFox has a similar extension. If you play around long enough with your browser you may find interesting things they can do, besides making it look pretty......
Kenn.....
KenofthedeadApr 16th 2009 1:26PM
Not just Speed Dial.
Opera also has the useful quick view of what a tab has if you place your cursor over it. Beyond that, there are the Panels Tabs to stick windows in or re-arrange windows as you please.
Tabs are fine the way they are now. Plenty of options to make them easier to fit, group, view, quick view, and so much more. All it really needs is one to use the features offered.
ScottApr 15th 2009 7:44AM
This is so stupid. The delicious firefox addon and a similar addons do this already. It also sounds like those FF/Mozilla devs are running out of ideas.
mirileneApr 15th 2009 7:44AM
who seriously has more than 5 tabs open at any one time that have actual relevant information on them?