Re: New tabs open with 'about:blank' in url input field but without all characters selected

[WaltS48]

On 5/25/18 6:48 AM, Bartosz wrote:
> Hi
>
> After most recent FF update (60.0.1), when I open a new tab by using ctrl+t and then proceed to type the url I want to visit (or phrase to search for), I end up adding characters after about:blank because the about:blank text wasn't selected and thus did not get replaced by the first character I typed. This is a change from previous versions where the text would be automatically selected after opening a new tab, so navigating to a new url was super easy. Is this a bug or a feature? Any available fixes/workarounds?
>
> Regards,
> Bartosz
>

I don't have any about:blank in my Fx 60.0.1 using Ctrl+T to open a new
tab. Just an empty field to type an address or search term.

How did you get about:blank? Maybe you need to revert that change.

--
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Ubuntu 16.04LTS - Unity Desktop

[John McGaw]

On 5/25/2018 10:20 AM, WaltS48 wrote:
> On 5/25/18 6:48 AM, Bartosz wrote:
>> Hi
>>
>> After most recent FF update (60.0.1), when I open a new tab by using
>> ctrl+t and then proceed to type the url I want to visit (or phrase to
>> search for), I end up adding characters after about:blank because the
>> about:blank text wasn't selected and thus did not get replaced by the
>> first character I typed. This is a change from previous versions where
>> the text would be automatically selected after opening a new tab, so
>> navigating to a new url was super easy. Is this a bug or a feature? Any
>> available fixes/workarounds?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bartosz
>>
>
> I don't have any about:blank in my Fx 60.0.1 using Ctrl+T to open a new
> tab. Just an empty field to type an address or search term.
>
> How did you get about:blank? Maybe you need to revert that change.
>

Maybe options > home 'New Windows and Tabs' is set to open about:blank?
I've never tried that but it seems vaguely connected.

[WaltS48]

If you mean "Show a blank page". The blank page only has "Search with
Google or enter address" in light grey letters. No "about:blank" there
or in a new tab.

[Chris Luck]

On 25/05/18 11:48, Bartosz wrote:
> Hi
>
> After most recent FF update (60.0.1), when I open a new tab by using
> ctrl+t and then proceed to type the url I want to visit (or phrase to
> search for), I end up adding characters after about:blank because the
> about:blank text wasn't selected and thus did not get replaced by the
> first character I typed. This is a change from previous versions
> where the text would be automatically selected after opening a new
> tab, so navigating to a new url was super easy. Is this a bug or a
> feature? Any available fixes/workarounds?

It sounds as if you are using the 'New Tab Override' add-on. The new
Web API is severely limiting as to what the developer can do and he has
been arguing for some time with the Mozilla devs. and getting nowhere.
Mozilla would no doubt describe it as a feature, the developer considers
it a bug.

The best current solution is to go to the Add-on settings and enter a
blank space as the selected URL. It has the limitation that the tab
proper is left empty (no 'New tab') and the location bar shows 'New Tab
Override' as the page provider. You otherwise get the behaviour you
expected.

Now if Mozilla could just let us select a blank page instead of the
other intrusive cruft...

--
Regards,
Chris Luck

[WaltS48]

They do.

In Firefox 60.0.1 on Linux the setting "Show a blank page" is found
using Preferences > General under "When Firefox starts" under the
Startup heading.

The items in a new tab can be deselected using the gear icon in the
upper right of the page. Sorry, the gear and Firefox icons still remain.

[EE]

"Show a blank page" is not the same as using about:blank. The latter
can have its background themed by a content stylesheet. What should
work (if possible) is to set the home page as about:blank and set a new
tab to open the home page.

[WaltS48]

Thanks for telling me information I already know.

How about assisting Bartosz with the problem they are having.

New tabs shouldn't open with about:blank, nor should the Home page if
the user has it set to "Show a blank page".

Why does a New tab show "about:blank" for them, when they use Ctrl+T to
open one?

[Chris Luck]

They don't!

When I reach for a blank sheet of paper I do not expect it to be
decorated with distracting intrusions. I have the same expectation of a
fresh (blank) web page.

I remember the time (not so long ago) when you could have that and no
arguments.

--
Regards,
Chris luck

[dillinger]

You can disable all new tab features by setting
browser.newtabpage.enabled to false in about:config.
browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.

[Chris Luck]

On 27/05/18 03:23, dillinger wrote:
>
> You can disable all new tab features by setting
> browser.newtabpage.enabled to false in about:config.
> browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.

Aha! I hadn't heard of that one before. It didn't exist in my present
config, if it was mentioned in new features it had escaped my attention
- and the attention of many others.

Yes, that works (once 'New Tab Override' is disabled).

Thanks for the info. However, looking at bugzilla it seems that not all
is well with the setting and the devs. are still tinkering with it.

--
Regards,
Chris Luck