How do I setup a 'default' browser?

flatloop · 08-04-2004, 12:59 PM

I'm not even sure how to phrase the question so it will make sense.

Is there a way to make Firefox my 'default' browser? I don't necessarily want to use it for file browsing on the local filesystem, just for all things internet.

(e.g. When I click on a link sent to me in email, it opens konqueror instead of Firefox. OR Kopete pops up with a hotmail announcement, and when I try to open it from kopete, it launches konqueror.)

It is my assumption that this is a 'global' setting somewhere, but I'm not sure how to go about looking for it.

I'm running MDK 10.0 and KDE 3.2 (if that wasn't transparently clear already) If you need more info, please let me know what I can do to help you help me.

Thanks in advance,

noobtesting · 08-04-2004, 03:39 PM

Well if you find out let me know because I was wondering the same thing

otish1000c · 08-04-2004, 03:39 PM

go to KDE Kontrol Center (IE: configure your desktop)->components->file associations. type html in the search box, highlite the html entry, go to the right panel & move your browser of choice to the top of the list, click "apply". if your browser isn't in the list, click the "add" button & browse to the executable. it's usually in /usr/bin. IE: /usr/bin/mozilla-firefox.

otis

jailbait · 08-04-2004, 03:44 PM

"(e.g. When I click on a link sent to me in email, it opens konqueror instead of Firefox. OR Kopete pops up with a hotmail announcement, and when I try to open it from kopete, it launches konqueror.)"

Some email programs have a configuration field to specify which web browser to use. So in addition to changing the file associations like otish1000c says you should also check your email program configuration to see if you can specify it there.

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otish1000c · 08-05-2004, 05:49 AM

oops, my bad! didn't read the post thoroughly.

ok, for default email client, again go to Kontrol Center->components->component chooser??? (going from memory right now, but it's under "components") & make sure Kmail is set as the default email client. (it should be 'cause that's the KDE default setting, but check anyway). then for browser email defaults, the settings are browser specific. Konqueror just defaults to Kmail since that's it's all part of KDE, so there is no setting to change there. i don't use Firefox, but in Mozilla you need to have Mozilla mail installed, then you'd go to edit->preferences->mail & newsgroups->mail start page->location & make the path read /usr/bin/kmail. it may be something similar in Firefox, but again, i'm not sure. and, if you use Opera, it's in tools->preferences->email settings, again choosing /usr/bin/kmail as the path. as for other browsers, it's gonna be basically the same drill.

hope that helped.

otis

flatloop · 08-05-2004, 06:56 AM

Thanks everybody, that is just what I needed. I've been messing around in MDK Linux for about 6 mos now, and that is the first time I've seen the 'control center'. Thanks again for the simple solution, those are my favorite.

kperrine · 08-31-2004, 04:00 PM

Can this same task be accomplished with Mandrake 10, but under Enlightenment?

FireFerum · 09-17-2004, 01:14 AM

I need to know how to make FireFox the default browser in Mandrake 10 as well. I tried all the steps here and it still opens Epiphany as the default browser from Thunderbird. I can't get it to open FireFox at all. I have firefox listed at the top in the file associations. I tried adding %u at the end of the command as well as leaving it without and still nothing. Basically my only two problems now are that I cannot make FireFox be default browser and I also cannot make FireFox have a maito protocol so that when I click on a mail link it opens a write new message window from Thunderbird. If anyone can help any of these two problems please let me know.

EDIT: Forgot to say that I am using KDE.

mdg · 09-17-2004, 01:40 AM

To make Thunderbird open Firefox, follow these steps (change paths to suit your system)

1- Create a shell script called "openlink.sh" in Thunderbird's directory
(/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird for me) containing the following lines :

Code:

#!/bin/sh

export MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME="/usr/lib/mozilla-firefox"

url="$1"
if [ "x$url" = "x" ]; then
url="about:blank"
fi

if $MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME/mozilla-xremote-client openURL\("$url, new-tab"\); then
exit 0
fi
exec $MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME/firefox "$url"

2- chmod +x /usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/openlink.sh

3- Create a file called user.js in your ~/.thunderbird/default.xxx/ containing :

// Use firefox for http, https & ftp links
user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.http", "/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/openlink.sh");
user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.https", "/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/openlink.sh");
user_pref("network.protocol-handler.app.ftp", "/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/openlink.sh");

4- Copy mozilla-xremote-client from /usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird to /usr/lib/mozilla-firefox

That should open Firefox, and if it's already open, it should open a new tab. (This is a modification of a post on Thunderbird forum)

###########################

To open mailto: links (Firefox to Thunderbird), do the following:

1. Launch Firefox and type "about:config" as address
Set "network.protocol-handler.external.mailto" to "true"

2. Create a file called "mailto.sh" in Firefox's directory (/usr/lib/mozilla-firefox for me) containing the following lines shell script:

Code:

#script author: asterix
#http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewto...=136157#136157

export MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME=/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird 
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:$MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME

# try xremote first
if [ $(ps aux | grep thunderbird | wc -l) -gt 1 ]; then
$MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME/mozilla-xremote-client "mailto($1?subject=$2)" && exit 0; fi

# if xremote failed, then launch the program
$MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME/thunderbird -P default -compose "mailto:$1?subject=$2"

3. chmod +x /usr/lib/mozilla-firefox/mailto.sh

4. Download MozEX from http://texturizer.net/firefox/extensions/#mozex

5. In Firefox, Tools > Options > Extensions > mozex > Settings

Check "Intercept mailto: clicks"

In Commands / Mailer, fill field with /usr/lib/mozilla-firefox/mailto.sh %r

That should open a compose window in Thunderbird when clicking an e-mail link
(Taken from a post on Mozillazine forum)

FireFerum · 09-17-2004, 02:16 AM

Well you have helped me a lot. I can now open FireFox from Thunderbird so that's a Plus

The other part doesn't work though and it has something to do with the extension. I don't think the extension works with the Preview Version of FireFox. The mailto.sh script works because I ran it and it opened a new e-mail window from Thunderbird. Still thank you very much for your help. If you happen to stumble upon why the extension doesn't work please let me know because I would love to be able to integrate the two programs to use eachother.

EDIT: I found out that you don't really need the mailto.sh file because in MozEx you can type in the full line to call the Thunderbird Window as such:

Code:

/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/thunderbird mailto:%a

This will make it work so long as you get the repacked version of MozEx.

Thanks for all the help everyone

mdg · 09-17-2004, 04:35 AM

According to FireFerum, the mailto.sh file isn't needed, which makes things a bit easier.

Quote:

EDIT: I found out that you don't really need the mailto.sh file because in MozEx you can type in the full line to call the Thunderbird Window as such:

code:

/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/thunderbird mailto:%a

This will make it work so long as you get the repacked version of MozEx.

I couldn't configure Mozex until I tried the repackaged version, which can be found at the bottom of this post at The Extensions Mirror

jangus · 10-25-2004, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FireFerum

EDIT: I found out that you don't really need the mailto.sh file because in MozEx you can type in the full line to call the Thunderbird Window as such:

Code:

/usr/lib/mozilla-thunderbird/thunderbird mailto:%a

OR for the record:-
/home/username/thunderbird/thunderbird mailto:%a?Subject=%S
if one has installed Thunderbird (0.8) into one's home directory and one wants to carry across the subject.