Cmd-Click Folders in Safari, Firefox

One of the reasons I prefer Safari to Firefox is the way Safari handles its bookmarks bar. In Safari, clicking the Command key and a number opens a corresponding bookmark from the bookmarks bar.

In Firefox, doing the same thing will select an open tab. I’ll be honest, I like the Firefox option, and I wish there was a similar keyboard shortcut for Safari. But for my workflow, I like Safari’s function better.

Here’s another bookmarks bar related functionality that I like better in Safari: How to open all bookmarks stored in a particular folder in tabs.

In Safari, it is a clean process. You Cmd-click on the folder you want, and Safari opens up all the enclosed bookmarks in tabs. At the same time, it does away with any open tabs.

In Firefox, however, you get a bit of a mess. First, when you Cmd-click a bookmarks bar folder in Firefox, the menu drops down and stays open. That’s just annoying. Too, the bookmarks open in tabs beside the previously opened tabs.

Here’s why the last part is annoying to me:

The way I have my Bookmarks Bar folders arranged, when I open them all in tabs, I want to work with just them. Therefore, I often open a new browser window. (Unless I’m done with what is currently open and just want to switch to a new set of tasks.)

Since I have my browsers set to open new windows with a blank page, I am left with a blank tab alongside the tabs I actually want to use. That’s a waste of space. (If you have it set to open to your homepage, then you’ll have that open alongside instead.)

So here’s the tip: Cmd-click Bookmarks Bar folders to open all enclosed bookmarks in tabs. Past that, it depends on what kind of behavior you want from your browser as to how you do it.

(Note: OmniWeb works like Firefox. Camino does not have this option.)