Clicking on links in Thunderbird and having them open in Firefox [Resolved]

[aysiu]

I love Mozilla's Thunderbird and Firefox programs, but I have to say they haven't turned out as well in Linux for me as they have in Windows. For example, in Windows, I love how I can use the keyboard shortcut Control-1, Control-2, Control-3, etc. to go to the first, second, or third tabs, respectively. In the Linux Firefox, I have to use alt-1, alt-2, alt-3, etc., which is a little bit of a hand coordination inconvenience, as I use Control for everything else (Control-W to close a tab, Control-Tab to move to the next tab). But, you know what? That's fine.

Another inconvenience seems a bit ludicrous to me, though, and I'm wondering 1. am I the only one who's experiencing this? and 2. does anyone know if there's a fix for this?

So, here's the problem. If someone sends me a URL in an email, and I click on that URL, rather than opening up in an existing Firefox window, it opens up in a new window, and (more importantly), the link doesn't even open up. The new window simply displays my homepage. I Googled about it but couldn't find a solution.

I did figure out a kind of workaround--the Launchy Thunderbird extension--whereby I can right-click on the URL in the email, and in the context menu select "Launchy," and then "Open Link in Firefox," and it will open properly (old Firefox window, new tab, actual page--not my homepage). But it doesn't make sense to me that I should have to do three steps instead of one to see a page someone's emailed me.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is my computer being a freak?

I don't have this problem using evolution. Maybe as you suggest it is a thunderbird issue and the launchy workaround may be your only solution.

[astoltz]

My thunderbird / firefox is working like you describe - e-mail links open in a new firefox tab. It's been a while since I've tweaked this but I think this worked for me.

edit the ~/.mozilla-thunderbird/[profile_dir]/prefs.js file and add (or change) the following:

user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.http", "/usr/bin/firefox");
user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.https", "/usr/bin/firefox");

Your path to firefox may be diferent.

Then, in firefox, open the advanced section of the preferences and in "Tabbed Browsing - Open links from other applications in:", select "a new tab in the most recent window".

[aysiu]

Originally Posted by astoltz edit the ~/.mozilla-thunderbird/[profile_dir]/prefs.js file and add (or change) the following: user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.http", "/usr/bin/firefox"); user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.https", "/usr/bin/firefox"); Your path to firefox may be diferent.

Wow! Thank you so much! That was the fix. It worked! Thanks again.

[Michael Matthews]

This did not work for me. I have same problem in thunderbird and evolution.
Seems to be a firefox issue or an interface issue. Does any one know how to get firefox to open a link via cli? I used to know the netscape method but forget.
It is very annoying. Why is this broken in linux but works for windows.

[seakiwi]

Originally Posted by astoltz My thunderbird / firefox is working like you describe - e-mail links open in a new firefox tab. It's been a while since I've tweaked this but I think this worked for me. edit the ~/.mozilla-thunderbird/[profile_dir]/prefs.js file and add (or change) the following: user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.http", "/usr/bin/firefox"); user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.https", "/usr/bin/firefox"); Your path to firefox may be diferent. Then, in firefox, open the advanced section of the preferences and in "Tabbed Browsing - Open links from other applications in:", select "a new tab in the most recent window".

I've been having this same problem. I tried your suggestion but for some reason I don't <B>have</B> a profile directory under ~/.mozilla-thunderbird

The only directory under ~/.mozilla-thunderbird is:

ht8arr8h.default

and under that are chrome, extensions. mail and US

The only reference anywhere to anything remotely related to profiles is a profile.ini file. No sign of any user.js anywhere.

Can I create one with your "fix" lines in it, and if so, where would I create it? I have no idea why I have no profile directory - although I'm using the default profile as I'm the only user, so perhaps that's why?

EDIT: Never mind - I found it. Slight brain freeze moment there
One other thing though ... is there anyway to make links open in the foreground? They now open in FF OK but they open behind Thunderbird. Can I make the focus go to the link page somehow?

[bschuteker]

I am not much with the command line (yet) but I was able to accomplish this another way.
1. go to >System>preferences>preferred applications>
under browser I have firefox selected and mail reader is thunderbird (nothing in the custom)
2. I have the tab browser prefrences extension loaded in FX

Didn't have to modify anything. This worked with FX 1.0.7 and after I used Automatix to upgrade to FX 1.5 I reinstalled extensions and it works like a charm.

Mail to: links in FX also open in TB

Happy Geeking,

Bill

[tntc1978]

Originally Posted by bschuteker I am not much with the command line (yet) but I was able to accomplish this another way. 1. go to >System>preferences>preferred applications> under browser I have firefox selected and mail reader is thunderbird (nothing in the custom) 2. I have the tab browser prefrences extension loaded in FX Didn't have to modify anything. This worked with FX 1.0.7 and after I used Automatix to upgrade to FX 1.5 I reinstalled extensions and it works like a charm. Mail to: links in FX also open in TB Happy Geeking, Bill

This worked like a charm for me too. I couldn't edit the prefs.js file, but Bills solution seems more userfriendly to me

[disciple]

the editing described by astolz worked for me..
firefox 1.5.0.1
thunderbird 1.5

[hashimoto]

Originally Posted by Michael Matthews This did not work for me. I have same problem in thunderbird and evolution. Seems to be a firefox issue or an interface issue. Does any one know how to get firefox to open a link via cli? I used to know the netscape method but forget. It is very annoying. Why is this broken in linux but works for windows.

Make sure that Thunderbird (Firefox also?) is not running. If it is running the cahnges will be overwritten when the program exits. This is also said on the top of the opened .js file.