How to Open a New Tab on w3m Browser

If you're a Linux user or just prefer using command-line interfaces, you might be familiar with w3m browser, a lightweight and fast text-based browser with plenty of features and customization options. W3m browser is designed to be used entirely through keyboard shortcuts and commands, which can be confusing for newcomers. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of opening a new tab on w3m browser, a basic but essential task for efficient web browsing.

Understanding w3m Browser

Before diving into the steps, let's explore a little bit about w3m browser and its features. W3m is a free and open-source web browser that renders HTML pages, including frames and tables, as well as supports inline image display. It uses a simple and minimalistic interface that can be customized to suit your preferences.

Features of w3m Browser

Some of the notable features of w3m browser include:

• Support for multiple protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and IPv6

• Mouse support

• Bookmark management

• Tabbed browsing

• Inline image display with an external viewer

• Customizable key bindings and menu commands

With its support for multiple protocols, w3m browser is a versatile tool that can handle a variety of web pages. Its mouse support makes it easy to navigate through pages, and its bookmark management and tabbed browsing features allow for efficient organization of web pages. Additionally, the inline image display with an external viewer makes it easy to view images without having to leave the browser.

But perhaps one of the most appealing features of w3m browser is its customizable key bindings and menu commands. This allows users to tailor the browser to their specific needs and preferences, making it a powerful tool for power users and command-line enthusiasts.

Why Use w3m Browser

W3m browser might not be the most visually appealing browser, but it has its advantages. It's fast, lightweight, and can be used entirely through the keyboard, making it ideal for power users and command-line enthusiasts. If you're using a low-spec machine or a remote server, w3m browser can save you a lot of system resources compared to a graphical browser like Chrome or Firefox.

Another advantage of w3m browser is its ability to handle large amounts of text. With its minimalistic interface and support for keyboard navigation, w3m browser can make reading and navigating through long articles or documentation a breeze.

Overall, w3m browser is a powerful and versatile tool that is well-suited for a variety of use cases. Whether you're a power user, a command-line enthusiast, or just looking for a lightweight and efficient browser, w3m browser is definitely worth checking out.

Installing w3m Browser

Before you can start using w3m browser, you need to install it on your system. Depending on your operating system, the process might differ slightly.

Installing on Linux

If you're running a Linux distribution, you can install w3m browser through your package manager. For example, on Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, you can use the following command:

sudo apt-get install w3m

Installing on macOS

On macOS, you can install w3m browser using Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS.

brew install w3m

Installing on Windows

W3m browser wasn't originally designed for Windows, but you can still install it through Cygwin, a Linux-like environment for Windows. Follow the instructions on the Cygwin website to install Cygwin, then open the Cygwin terminal and enter the following command:

apt-cyg install w3m

Navigating w3m Browser Interface

Once you have w3m browser installed, it's time to get familiar with its interface. W3m browser uses a combination of keyboard shortcuts and commands to navigate the web and manage tabs.

Basic Commands and Shortcuts

Here are some of the most common commands and shortcuts you'll use in w3m browser:

• q: Quit w3m browser

• Ctrl+g: Go to a URL or search term

• Ctrl+b: Go back in history

• Ctrl+f: Go forward in history

• Tab: Move to the next link or form field

• Shift+Tab: Move to the previous link or form field

• Enter: Follow a link or submit a form

• T: Open a new tab

• Ctrl+n, Ctrl+p: Switch between tabs

Customizing w3m Browser Settings

You can customize the behavior and appearance of w3m browser by editing its configuration file, located in ~/.w3m/config in your home directory. You can change settings like the default search engine, font size, and colors, as well as add new key bindings and menu commands. Refer to the w3m manual for more information about available settings and their syntax.

Opening a New Tab in w3m Browser

Finally, let's get to the main topic of this article: opening a new tab in w3m browser. There are multiple ways to create a new tab in w3m browser, but we'll focus on the most straightforward method.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

To open a new tab using keyboard shortcuts, press T. This will create a new blank tab next to the current one. You can then start browsing by entering a URL or search term using Ctrl+g.

Using Command Line Options

If you prefer using command-line options, you can also open a new tab by adding the -new-tab flag to your w3m command. For example:

w3m -new-tab https://www.example.com

This will open a new tab and navigate to the specified URL.

Managing Multiple Tabs

If you have multiple tabs open in w3m browser, you might want to switch between them or close them. Here are some useful shortcuts for managing tabs:

• Ctrl+n: Next tab

• Ctrl+p: Previous tab

• q: Close the current tab

Tips for Efficient Tab Management

Managing multiple tabs in w3m browser might seem daunting at first, but with some practice and organization, you can work efficiently and productively. Here are some tips:

Navigating Between Tabs

Use the Ctrl+n and Ctrl+p shortcuts to switch between tabs quickly. If you have many tabs open, you can use the Tab and Shift+Tab shortcuts to cycle through the tab bar and select the desired tab. You can also use the Ctrl+a shortcut to jump to the first tab and Ctrl+z to jump to the last tab.

Closing and Reopening Tabs

Use the q shortcut to close the current tab. If you want to reopen a closed tab, use the U shortcut to view the history list and select the closed tab. You can also define a custom key binding to reopen the last closed tab automatically.

Organizing Tabs for Better Workflow

If you're working on multiple tasks simultaneously, it can be helpful to organize your tabs by topic or priority. You can use the w3m-bm-add-current-url command to add the current page to your bookmarks, and organize your bookmarks into folders for easy access. You can also use the w3m-session command to save and restore your tab configuration, including URLs, titles, and order.

Conclusion

Opening a new tab in w3m browser might seem trivial, but it's an essential skill for efficient web browsing and multitasking. By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you should be able to use w3m browser more confidently and effectively. Don't be afraid to explore further and experiment with different key bindings and settings to make w3m browser work for your specific needs.