Linux Tip: Firefox Backspace
So… I recently reinstalled Ubuntu (version 8.10 this time) to find a very solid piece of Software. Everything worked out of the box, even Compiz.
Anyway… there were one thing that was making me crazy. Firefox 3 didn’t use Backspace key as a shortcut to the Back function, i.e., pressing backspace didn’t make you return to the previous web page. This is something I use A LOT on Windows on any browser, so not having this possibility is a major turn of. I don’t even know why the hell Mozilla don’t turn this option as default since this is like something taken for granted, at least for me.
Anyway… the good news is it’s a very simple thing to fix.
With Firefox open (duh!):
1. In your Address Bar type: about:config (at this point Firefox will ask you if you want to continue… you do!).
2. Use the Filter Bar and type backspace
3. Now double click the result of the filtering (confirm if it is what you see in the above picture) and change the value to 0 (zero).
Tada! It should be working now… Ok. Back to Surfing!
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I know what you mean, I use the backspace quite frequently myself.
Anyway, just wanted to introduce you to an extension that I have become absolutely dependent on, in case you haven’t heard of it: Mouse gestures.
You can program the extension to do lots of commands, but the simplest, and the one I have come to depend on, is the ability to [hold left mouse button + tap right mouse button=go forward} and [hold right mouse button + tap left mouse button=to backwards].
I’m sure you’re already familiar with it, but if not, it’ll change the way you surf :)
Hi Libigo! Thanks for your suggestion. Yep, in fact I know Mouse Gestures. But I never got used to it to be honest. Maybe it’s the old fashioned one inside of me… I still find my fingers blindly pressing those keyboard shortcuts!
Yeah, happens to me too, i find myself more useful and fast using keyboard shortcuts, thanks for the tip greven.
Reijis last blog post… Blue Whales
Hm…well well!
Stumbled over an old mail with the adress to something themed in a similar blue and red fashion (I’m sure you know which one), and realized I had totally forgot you had this blog also.
So, Hi. =]
As for the browsing matter, mouse gestures are the biggest improvement to usability that I’ve come across for a long time. That is to say, I haven’t found anything that would have had as big an impact as they do since…years ago.
It’s true, as with most things in life, that changing from one habit to – forming – another will take time and patience. But being able to poke on the internets with just your trusty rodent does have it’s benefits. One might be inclined to say it does come in handy.
Couldn’t live without gestures anymore to be honest.
Anyway, have a nice weekend.
@Providus – Wow, after reading your comment I think I will try mouse gestures definitely.
Reijis last blog post… Blue Whales
@Providus – Providus!! How nice to see you mate. :) And thanks for your comment. :)
Well after the post of you two… I think I will try and give mouse gestures another chance. But really I tried it (a long ago I might say) and found a bit of resistance in myself to use them often so I kinda forgot to install the plugin the next time I re-installed Firefox and totally forgot about it. :)
PS – A bit offtopic… Providus, as you might seen I don’t log on often (or… at all to MSN nowadays). But I will shortly to give you my e-mail so we can contact each other and to talk about some things since our last talk was to brief).
Anyway really great to see you.
@greven – Yeah it was short I agree, but don’t worry about it.
Some like their beer cold, others warm. Some like gestures and some don’t. That’s just how it goes. I’ve found gestures to be a lovely feature and well worth the trouble of learning the use, that’s all I can say. If that is enough to convince someone else to give em a second go with the result of ending up liking them, that’s great.
To be honest, the biggest problem for me about using them is that now I wish everything would work the same way. Seeing as browsing my files and trying to use gestures happens sometimes =]
And like you say dear blogee, if you’re not open to it, you can be sure the end result is that you won’t like it.
Feel free to poke that email if you feel like it. Thinking of starting blogging again, but remains to be seen.
Thank you so much for the tip.I never searched how to do this.Everytime when i wanted to go back i push “Backspace” .. and .. nothing .. so i just click the mouse.But when i saw your post i said “Yes,that’s it,this was just a simple about:config thing” .. Anyway,thank you :)