If you are looking for a lightweight and efficient web browser, w3m is a great option. With its simple interface and extensive keyboard commands, it provides fast browsing speeds and a smooth user experience. In this article, we will guide you on how to go full screen in w3m browser. We will begin by introducing the w3m browser and its features.

Understanding w3m Browser

What is w3m Browser?

w3m is an open-source text-based web browser for Unix and Unix-like systems. Unlike graphical browsers, w3m displays web pages as plain text, making it highly customizable and lightweight. It is designed to be used in a terminal emulator and can be accessed using keyboard shortcuts.

Using w3m browser, you can browse the web with ease, without having to worry about the performance issues that come with using a graphical browser. This browser is perfect for users who prefer a simple and straightforward browsing experience.

Key Features of w3m Browser

w3m browser provides various features, including:

• Customizable keyboard shortcuts: w3m allows you to customize your keyboard shortcuts, making it easier for you to navigate through web pages.

• Support for multiple tabbed browsing: With w3m, you can open multiple tabs and switch between them with ease.

• Ability to view images inline or in an external image viewer: w3m allows you to view images directly in the browser or in an external image viewer.

• Bookmarks management: w3m allows you to manage your bookmarks with ease, making it easier for you to access your favorite websites.

Pros and Cons of Using w3m Browser

Before we proceed, let's take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of using w3m browser.

Pros:

• Lightweight and fast: w3m is a lightweight browser that loads web pages quickly, making it perfect for users with slow internet connections.

• Customizable and extendable: w3m allows you to customize your browsing experience and extend its functionality with plugins and scripts.

• Text-based interface allows for easy accessibility and readability: w3m's text-based interface makes it easy for users with visual impairments to browse the web.

Cons:

• Does not support JavaScript or AJAX-based websites: w3m does not support websites that rely heavily on JavaScript or AJAX, which may limit your browsing experience.

• Displays web pages in plain text which may not be visually appealing to some users: w3m displays web pages in plain text, which may not be visually appealing to some users who prefer a more graphical browsing experience.

Overall, w3m is a great browser for users who prefer a simple and lightweight browsing experience. While it may not be suitable for users who require a more graphical browsing experience, it is perfect for users who want a fast and customizable browser that can be accessed using keyboard shortcuts.

Installing and Setting Up w3m Browser

System Requirements

w3m is a lightweight and fast text-based web browser that is compatible with Unix and Unix-like systems such as Linux and macOS. To install w3m, your system must have the following:

• Terminal emulator such as GNOME Terminal, xfce4-terminal, or Konsole

• Python and Python-dev

If you don't have these prerequisites, you can install them using your system's package manager. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can use the following command:

sudo apt-get install gnome-terminal python python-dev

Installation Process

The installation process for w3m is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps:

1. Open the terminal

2. Update the package list using the following command:

sudo apt-get update

3. Install w3m using the following command:

sudo apt-get install w3m

For other Linux distributions, consult the respective package manager. If you are using macOS, you can install w3m using Homebrew or MacPorts.

Configuring w3m Browser for Optimal Performance

After installing w3m, there are various configurations that you can make to optimize your browsing experience. For example, you can change the default editor, set the font size and color, and customize the key bindings.

To configure w3m, you need to create a .w3m folder in your home directory. Within this folder, you can create configuration files such as w3m-config and keymap. The w3m-config file contains global settings, while the keymap file contains custom keyboard shortcuts.

Here are some of the configurations that you can make:

• Change the default editor: By default, w3m uses vi as its editor. You can change this by adding the following line to your w3m-config file: editor = nano

• Set the font size and color: You can customize the font size and color by adding the following lines to your w3m-config file: display_image = true and display_image_inline = true

• Customize the key bindings: You can customize the key bindings by editing the keymap file. For example, you can add the following line to your keymap file to bind the "g" key to go to a specific URL: keymap G = Goto

By making these configurations, you can enhance your browsing experience and make w3m work better for you.

Navigating w3m Browser Interface

Basic Navigation Commands

w3m browser provides extensive keyboard commands that allow for quick and easy navigation. Here are some of the basic commands:

• g: Go to a specific URL

• b: Toggle bookmark list

• Ctrl-n: Next page

• Ctrl-p: Previous page

Accessing Menus and Options

To access menus and options in w3m browser, you can use the following commands:

• Esc: Show menu

• :

  • b: Bookmark management

  • o: Options menu

Customizing the Interface

w3m browser allows for various interface customizations, including changing the font size and color, setting the background color, and toggling images. These customizations can be made in the w3m-config file. To change font size and color, for example, you can add the following lines:

1. ext_disp_style=1

2. ext_disp_width=72

3. display_image=never

4. display_link_number=true

5. document_charset=UTF-8

6. display_charset=UTF-8

7. display_tables=0

8. display_table_header=0

9. pager_lines=45

10. pager_color=always

11. color=3

Enabling Full Screen Mode in w3m Browser

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

To go full screen in w3m browser using keyboard shortcuts, press F11.

Full Screen Mode via Terminal Commands

An alternative way to enable full screen mode in w3m browser is by using the w3mimgdisplay terminal command. This command displays an image in the terminal emulator, covering the entire screen. To use this command to go full screen in w3m browser, follow these steps:

1. Enable graphics support in terminal emulator

2. Enable w3mimgdisplay by adding the following lines to /etc/w3m/config:

   • ext_image_viewer=0

   • display_image=always

   • imgdisplay=

   • terminal_type=xterm

3. Start w3m browser in xterm by running the following command:

   • w3m -I x /path/to/url

4. Press F11 to enable full screen mode

Exiting Full Screen Mode

To exit full screen mode in w3m browser, press F11 again or use the Ctrl + C keyboard shortcut.

Conclusion

w3m browser is a lightweight and efficient text-based web browser that provides various customizations and features. Enabling full screen mode in w3m browser is easy and can be done through keyboard shortcuts or using the w3mimgdisplay command. We hope this guide has been helpful to you in learning how to go full screen on w3m browser.