Tabs - Closing?

Having trouble figuring out what to do when I open page X in Firefox - click something on that page - it opens a new page with a map or whatever -

I see what I want to see - but then if I try to close that 'accessory' page - up comes the box that I am going to close 2 'tabs'

If I choose close - the whole thing disappears - including my original page which i wanted to go back to!!!

If I choose 'cancel' I am just looking at something I'm finished with and no 'back' button - no nuttin

One workaround is to right click to go to the accessory page - but that's just 'extra' nonsense

Why has Firefox invented this new Gatesian enigma? - and btw I haven't any idea what the whole tab world' is about anyhow - and not sure I want to - but i do know i don't like what is happening as per above.

++++++++++++++++

Have managed to answer my own question - Control/W öets you go back. In any case, I really can't figure out what this whole 'tab' universe is about - if there's a simple retort - let me have it - or just leave me in my blissful ignorance

 

I don't know about gatesian and Tabs. They have been around since one of the Netscape7.x, and consequently Mozilla1.4 or earlier. so, a while before Firefox came out. Tabs are convenient, but can be a pain. This is, usually, not the case with Firefox. My settings with FF2.0.0.3 Tools|Options|Tabs are to open tabs in a new window. That way, I can use the back arrow, and am where I started. I have three tabs. Too many tabs slow you down on loading the program, but three is good enough.
Now, Netscape8.1.2 would do nothing but opening tabs, and that's a nuisance.
In Firefox, I also have checked to warn me when I close multiple tabs, keeping me out of trouble, but, of course, you have to know what to do, if you are not aware what causes the warning. Tabs are the rage, and you will have to learn what to do with them.
And, if you cannot figure things out, look at the Quick Launch toolbar where all the open windows are. Only one of them has the back arrow.

 

Rob,

Go to your Tab Settings: Tools | Options | Tabs
Enable: New pages should be opened in a new tab

Disable all other settings

You can also right click a link and select: Open Link in new Tab

When you close the "New Tab" nothing else will be affected.

 

It sounded like a good idea, but new pages are not opening in a new tab. I made my changes from New Window to New Tab. Close FF, and then reopened it ( I did that because restarting FF will reopen it with a new site replacing the original tab , and the new page replaces the existing page.

 

Westside,

Edit the settings exactly as I suggested.

Now, go to this Thread:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showpost.php?p=340172&postcount=2

Click on your "Get Mail" Link. Doesn't it open in a new TAB??? It certainly does for me...

 

Thanks all the helpful comments - guess will have to learn to live with the Tabs animal - maybe will have to call it Tabby

My comment about Gatesian was in regard to getting into the corner where you could continue to look at the screen for 2 months after clicking 'cancel' - or lose everything by clicking 'OK' - I hadn't yet found the Control/W option

 

Your link opens another Tab, and, I think that this is the way it works. But, Get Mail opens Thunderbird. I don't know why there would be a tab. But, if I open another site, and stay in this Tab (Windows BBS), the new site will open in the same window. The only way that I can get around that is to selectFile|Add Tab and enter the website.

 

Westside,

The way to get around it is to right click the link, and select:
Open link in new tab

 

Forgive me for asking a seemingly foolish question. Which close (x) button are you using?

In both FF 1.5 and 2 the warning about closing ALL tabs only comes up when you press the close button in the top righthand corner of your whole Firefox window . If you want to close only one tab you mustn't touch that close-all sign, you've got to choose the red x sign on the tabs line.

In Firefox 2 each tab has a close button (x) next to its title. Click and that tab closes.
In Firefox 1.5 to close one tab, you must press the close sign (x on a red background) at the end of the line of tabs.

Roncy

 

I, always, use File|Close, and I, always, get the warning. As for FF1.5, which I, no longer, have, I think that you can right click on the tab which you want to close, and close it. FF2 has the additional convenience.
I stopped using the X at the top right long ago.

 

Hi Westside,
If I click File/close I get the option to close either the tab (no warning) or the window (with the warning if more tabs are open).
As for right-clicking a tab and choosing "close tab ", fine, no problem, no warning, as only that right-clicked tab will close.
I personally prefer keyboard shortcuts: I am on a page with interesting-looking links that I open in new tabs as I go along (I use the middle mouse button for opening links in new tabs) and then, when I've finished with the original page, work my way through those tabs one by one, Ctrl W to close one tab, Ctrl + to increase the size of the fonts (much too small for my aging eyes) in the next one, page down to scroll through the contents, Ctrl W, next tab, Ctrl + etc. etc. Very quick and convenient and no hassle with fumbling around for mouse when my hands are nicely resting on the keyboard on the shelf under my desk. And the Ctrl W shortcut prevents Windows from asking me any silly questions.
But each to his/her own.
Roncy

 

I will keep the Ctrl+ in mind, My eyes ain't so great, either.After hitting four times, I can read the entire line, using my left eye.