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Chapter 8. Accessing the Web

Fedora uses Mozilla Firefox by default in Gnome and Konqueror in KDE to access the World Wide Web (Web). There are many other browsers available to suit different users' needs. Dillo is an example of a lightweight browser, and browsers such as lynx , w3m , and elinks are console based.
Besides being standards-compliant web browsers, Firefox and Konqueror have many features beyond basic web browsing. This chapter explains how to use some of the more popular features, and provides links to further information.
The Internet can also be used to transfer files. This chapter covers different methods of doing this using graphical applications as well as the command line. If you wish to transfer files using email, then you should probably read Chapter 9, Communications instead. This is often the best choice for smaller files such as pictures and documents.

8.1. Browsing web pages

Firefox and Konqueror are the suggested web browsers for most users. If you require a more lightweight browser (especially if you are using a slower system), you may want to try Dillo . If you are using the command line, then you may want to use lynx , w3m , or elinks . None of these programs are installed in Fedora by default, but can be installed using the instructions in Chapter 17, Managing software .

8.1.1. Using Firefox

To start Firefox in GNOME, select Applications > Internet > Firefox Web Browser or use the menu panel icon. To start Firefox in KDE, select KMenu > Applications > Internet > Firefox Web Browser .
Firefox has many more features than discussed here; you can find more information on Firefox at the Mozilla Firefox website: https://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/.

8.1.1.1. Navigating the web

Fedora starts Firefox with a default home page that has links to useful Fedora-related sites. Navigate to other web pages by typing the web address – also called the univeral resource locator, or URL – into the long navigation bar across the top of the Firefox screen, replacing https://start.fedoraproject.org.
If you do not know the URL, enter a keyword (or words) into the search bar to the right of the navigation bar, then press the Enter key. The search engine used to perform your search can be changed by left-clicking the logo in the search box. You will be presented with a list of options including Google, Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, and Creative Commons.
Like other web browsers, Firefox makes it possible to save a web page for future reference by adding it to a list of bookmarks. Use the key combination Ctrl + D to bookmark a page you are viewing. To manage bookmarks, use the Bookmark menu from the top of the Firefox window. You can also create a live bookmark (a feed) that automatically checks for updates from a page with an RSS or Atom feed. If a feed is available for a particular web page, there will be an orange icon at the right hand edge of the address bar while you are visiting that page. Left click the feed icon and a preview of the feed is displayed. Select the method you would like to use to subscribe to the feed.

Use your favorite feed reader

Firefox can use a number of popular web-based options for subscribing to feeds, such as Bloglines, My Yahoo, and Google Reader, as well as Firefox 's own live bookmarks. Another option is to use a desktop feed reader you have installed, such as Liferea .

8.1.1.2. Tabs

Open a new tab with Ctrl + T . A blank page is presented and a new bar is available under the navigation bar showing all open tabs; to switch between them left-click the desired tab. To close a tab you can either right click to access the context menu or press the red "X" on the tab.
Navigating a large number of open tabs can be difficult. To make it easier, use the arrow icon on the right hand side of the tabs toolbar. Click this to reveal a list of all open tabs that you can switch to by clicking on the relevant item.

8.1.1.3. Extensions

Firefox is designed to be moderately fast and lightweight. As a result, some functionality found in other browsers may not be available by default. To solve this problem the Firefox team made the browser extensible, so it is easy to create and integrate extensions that add new functionality to the browser.
To manage and install extensions, plug-ins, and themes, select the Tools > Add-ons menu entry. New extensions are found by visiting the Firefox add-on site at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/. To install an extension from this site follow the Install link, and when prompted click Install Now .

Themes, plugins and search engines

Firefox can also be extended by adding new search engines to the search box, installing new themes to customize the look, and installing new plugins allowing the use of Java and other web technologies. All of these can be found at Mozilla's Firefox add-ons site.

8.1.2. Using Konqueror

To start Konqueror in KDE, select KMenu > Applications > Internet > Konqueror . To start Konqueror in GNOME, select Applications > Internet > Konqueror .

Konqueror on the GNOME and Xfce desktops

Konqueror is installed by default with the KDE desktop, but not the GNOME or Xfce desktops. If you want to use Konqueror on the GNOME or Xfce desktops, you will need to install it first. Refer to Chapter 17, Managing software for instructions on adding new software to your system.

 
 
  Published under the terms of the Open Publication License Design by Interspire