this post was submitted on 09 May 2024
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What are some examples of features rhat should be native but aren't?
I use a couple extensions but nothing that I think should be in the core browser.
I think container tabs, which is currently an official Mozilla extension, should be native.
It is native, isn't it?
No, unfortunately not https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/
I don't have that addon and I can use container tabs without any problems. Currently on Firefox 125.
You still need an extension to automatically open specific sites in their own containers. I genuinely don't get why.
Damn, that's another thing about Firefox that absolutely drives me crazy. They implement some feature as an extension, then they include it with the browser by default and just leave the extension there for some reason. It's the exact same thing with Firefox translations, it's integrated into the browser now but they still have an extension https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/firefox-translations/
iirc, you install it via an extension. It's simple enough. I just love the feature.
More UI customizations? A few simple settings could go a long way.
Ublock origin
Open urls in a container, by ñrepending them with something. Like, say I have 3 gmail accounts. Work, personal, and purchases. With official multiaccount containers I can either have gmail always open on one or manually open it on one.
I have an extension where I can put something like "ext+container=Work&https://gmail.com" on my homepage and everything opens where it should.
This is a great idea, and would make the issue with some extensions not being able to save tabs that are in containers moot.
One could define a meta-url concept that holds the web URL as well as any additional tab context, this then could remove the need for extension to manage their own arbitrary per-tab store.
A good way to visualize large numbers of tabs (like with tree or panorama tabs), an ad blocker (Mozilla is supposedly privacy-focused but doesn't have this), and a way to group tabs without having them in containers.
Who are you people with more than like 10 tabs open at once? Do you guys just not close something after you're done reading it?
Research projects and work mostly.
The people I know do nothing of the sort and dodge the question when I ask what they NEED so many tabs for. Some people just think its easier to just have tabs sitting around rather than use bookmarks or accept that they aren't going to read that article they set aside weeks ago.
Mentally, I find that leaving a tab open says "I'll get to that soon", where a bookmark says "maybe I'll need that someday". "Soon" might still be two weeks from now, but "someday" might as well be never.
Bookmarks just aren't as visible. Think of it like having things that you need to do laid out on a countertop vs having them in a drawer. If you walk by the counter and have a minute to spare, you can see what you might be able to accomplish in that time and check something off. It feels like you need a lot more free time to even want to open the drawer.
Also, managing bookmarks just looks daunting, and the more you have, the worse it gets. When I'm done with a tab, I just close it.
Sometimes, I'll use the bookmark toolbar, but I don't see how that's better than tabs, visually. It just has better persistence.
Lastly, leaving a tab open can also be used like a post-it note to remind me to do something by a certain date. Every time I see it, it acts as a little reminder so that the thing doesn't fall off my radar. That one gets a little tricky if you have so many tabs open that you have to scroll. I try not to let it get that bad, though.
Just browsing documentation can have me hitting that number of tabs easy. I tend to open stuff in new tabs so I can flip back and forth. Also if I'm searching for error messages I like to open in new tabs so I don't have to continuously go back and forth. I won't kill a tab until I know I'm done with it, I have a tab sleep extension to save resources for long idle tabs. Tab groups are a nice feature that I would love in Firefox to help clean things up, I tend to use new windows and virtual desktops to compartmentalise tasks.
They get money from Google, Google makes money from ads, if they start blocking ads, Google would probably end their deal with Mozilla
Nah, then Google would have a monopoly and be subjected to extra rules and regulations.
They rather fund a competitor than do that.