How to Share Web Page on w3m Browser

The w3m browser is an open-source, text-based web browser that can be used to browse web pages and share them with others. While it may not be as popular as other web browsers, it is a powerful tool for users who prefer a simple, keyboard-driven browsing experience. In this article, we will explore how to use w3m browser to share web pages with others.

Understanding w3m Browser

The w3m browser is a text-based web browser that works by rendering web pages as plain text. It does not support images, videos, or other multimedia content, but it does have several unique features that make it a popular choice among users who prefer a minimalistic browsing experience.

What is w3m Browser?

W3m is a popular text-based web browser that was first released in 1995. It was created by Akinori Ito, who was a student at the time. Since then, w3m has gained a following among users who prefer a simple and fast browsing experience. Although it may not be as feature-rich as some of the more popular web browsers, it does have several unique features that set it apart.

One of the advantages of using w3m browser is its speed. Because it does not support multimedia content, it can load web pages much faster than other browsers. This makes it a great option for users who have slow internet connections or who are using older hardware.

Another advantage of w3m browser is its simplicity. The browser is designed to be used entirely with the keyboard, which can make it easier and faster to navigate through web pages. Additionally, because it renders web pages as plain text, it can be a good option for users who have visual impairments or who prefer a more streamlined browsing experience.

Key Features of w3m Browser

Some of the key features of w3m browser include:

• Keyboard-driven navigation: W3m browser is designed to be used entirely with the keyboard, making it a great choice for users who prefer quickly navigating through web pages.

• Text-based rendering: W3m browser renders web pages as plain text, making it a fast and lightweight option for browsing the web.

• Tabbed browsing: W3m browser supports tabbed browsing, allowing users to have multiple web pages open at the same time.

• Customizable key bindings: Users can customize the key bindings in w3m browser to their liking, making it a highly adaptable tool for browsing the web.

Another advantage of w3m browser is its compatibility with a wide range of operating systems. It can be used on Linux, Windows, and macOS, as well as on many other Unix-like systems. This makes it a great option for users who use multiple operating systems or who prefer a browser that can be used on a variety of devices.

Overall, w3m browser is a great option for users who prefer a simple and fast browsing experience. Although it may not have all of the features of other web browsers, its unique set of features and its compatibility with a wide range of operating systems make it a valuable tool for many users.

Installing w3m Browser

To use w3m browser to browse and share web pages, you will first need to install it on your device. Here's how to install w3m browser on different operating systems:

Installing on Linux

If you're using a Linux-based operating system, you can install w3m browser from your distribution's package manager. For example, on Debian-based systems, you can use the following command:

sudo apt-get install w3m

Installing on macOS

If you're using a macOS device, you can install w3m browser using Homebrew. To install Homebrew, open the Terminal application and enter the following command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Once Homebrew is installed, you can use it to install w3m browser using the following command:

brew install w3m

Installing on Windows

If you're using a Windows device, you can install w3m browser using the Cygwin terminal emulator. To install Cygwin, follow the instructions on the Cygwin website. Once Cygwin is installed, you can use it to install w3m browser using the following command:

apt-cyg install w3m

Navigating Web Pages with w3m Browser

Once you have installed w3m browser, you can use it to browse the web and navigate web pages. Here's how to get started:

Opening a Web Page

To open a web page in w3m browser, simply enter the URL of the page in the command line and press Enter. For example:

w3m https://www.example.com

Navigating Links and Menus

Once you have a web page open in w3m browser, you can navigate links and menus using the keyboard. To follow a link, simply move the cursor to the link and press Enter. To move forward or backward through pages, press the right or left arrow keys respectively. To go to the top or bottom of a page, press the Home or End keys.

Searching for Text within a Web Page

If you want to search for text within a web page, you can use the built-in search feature in w3m browser. To activate the search feature, press the '/' key followed by the text you want to search for. To move to the next instance of the text, press 'n'.

Sharing Web Pages through w3m Browser

Now that you know how to navigate web pages using w3m browser, let's explore how to share web pages with others.

Copying the URL of a Web Page

If you want to share the URL of a web page with someone else, you can copy it from the address bar in w3m browser. Simply move the cursor to the address bar and press 'y' to copy the URL to the clipboard. You can then paste the URL into an email or message and send it to the person you want to share it with.

Sharing Web Pages via Email

If you want to share a web page via email, you can use w3m browser's built-in email feature. To do this, press 'M' to open the email interface. You will then be prompted to enter the recipient's email address, subject, and message. Once you have entered this information, press 'C' to send the email.

Sharing Web Pages on Social Media Platforms

If you want to share a web page on a social media platform, you can use w3m browser's built-in command option to send the page to a script or program. For example, to share a page on Twitter, you can use the following command:

w3m -dump_source https://www.example.com | script-to-post-on-twitter.sh

Replace 'script-to-post-on-twitter.sh' with the actual name of the script you are using to post on Twitter. You can find scripts for sharing web pages on different social media platforms by searching online.

Conclusion

W3m browser is a powerful tool for users who prefer a simple, keyboard-driven browsing experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can use w3m browser to browse the web and share web pages with others. Whether you're copying the URL of a web page or sharing it on a social media platform, w3m browser makes it easy to share your favorite web pages with others.