Firefox question: opening links in new tab instead of new window

[welshTerrier2]

some links are coded to open the target page in a new window ... i'm trying to customize Firefox so that it always opens these links in a new tab instead ...

I've found a couple of extensions that seem to be able to solve this problem ... one is called "TargetKiller" and the other is called "Tab Mix Plus" ...

while reading about these extensions, however, i discovered a "brave new world" of customizing Firefox by using the "about:config" utility ... i also found a very long list of customizable attributes here => http://preferential.mozdev.org/preferences.html

the problem is, i haven't been able to get the new window block to work ... the link above showed the attribute i needed to add ... it's "preference name" is: browser.block.target_new_window ... i went to the about:config page (by entering "about:config" in the Firefox address bar) and right clicked on the page ... this offered an option to create a new "preference" ... i added the block new window preference and set the value to "true" ...

the problem is, the function doesn't seem to work ... i tested it by closing and reopening Firefox and then clicking a link on this page => www.buzzFlash.com ... all of the links on buzzFlash are configured to open a new window ...

so the question is, am i missing something here? how can i force new windows to open in a new tab?

i also found that this is now a built-in feature of the Firefox browser ... i'm using version 1.5.0.1 but can't seem to find the right setting on the options menu ... i also added an extension called "tabbedBrowser preferences" that may have altered the available options that Firefox provides ...

for now, i may try one of the extensions but was hoping to learn more about using about:config to customize the browser ...

[mainegreen]

1. Easy as pie

1) Open tools->options.
2) Go to tabs option.
3) Check 'Force links that open a new windows to open in:'
4) Choose the radio button 'a new tab'
5) Click ok button
6) Drink beer.

[welshTerrier2]

2. i like pie; i like beer ... it doesn't work ...

i checked my settings and they match the ones you provided ...

try going to this page as a test: www.buzzFlash.com ... when you get there, scroll down until you see the news story headlines (there are hundreds) ... click a headline and let me know whether the article opens in a new tab or a new window ... for me, it's opening in a new window ...

btw, since i wrote the OP, i've installed an extension called "Tab Mix Plus" which provides tons of great tab features ... for example, each tab now has its own little "x" to close the tab individually ... i can now double-click on the tab bar to open a new tab ... i can also reopen previously closed tabs (kind of like a "recently opened tabs" list) ... i uninstalled "tabbedBrowser preferences" before installing this new extension ...

let me know if you're able to force the buzzFlash links to a new tab ... it's a site i read all the time and the separate window is a bit of a pain ...

[unhappycamper]

3. Running 1.5.0.1here. Made mainegreen's changes &

buzzflash articles now open in tabs. :shrug:

[mainegreen]

4. Strange, it totally works fine for me with my settings

Each link opens in a new tab for me. I suspect one of you extensions or something about your about config has 'corrupted' the functionality of the settings. That's pretty common with firefox. If your up for it, and if you really care that much, I would completely unistall FF, download the latest version and install it. Then make the changes I specified above before installing any extentions, and test buzzFlash. It should work as you want. Then install you extentions, testing functionality after each extention.

Sucks, but something is wacked with your config/extensions.

[welshTerrier2]

5. skinning cats

thanks for your help ...

i decided it wasn't worth uninstalling/reinstalling ... i tried just uninstalling the related extensions but that didn't solve the problem ...

and then ..........

i noticed that buzzFlash has a feature on their homepage called "mode" ... mine was set to "default" ... i clicked on "mode" and it changed my setting from "default" to "tabbed" (each subsequent click toggles to the next available setting) ... not sure whether this was the only page bypassing my browser settings but at least i have buzzFlash working the way i want now ...

thanks for all the input ...

i'd still like to become more skilled "coding" the about:config page ... looks like there are hundreds of settings you can control ... i think that's all some of the extensions are actually using ...

[Hokie]

7. Works for me

The headlines open in new tabs, not new windows. I discovered this some time ago. I am running 1.5.0.1 in case that makes any difference.

[remfan]

6. Right click any link

and that option is available in the context menu.