Click Reduction Protocol Required :)

December 19, 2008 3:51 AM

Is it possible to open links from within Outlook in the background, as opposed to having the browser come to foreground?

It's a small thing, but, akin to one of the reasons tabbed browsing is so good, it would be a great benefit!

Reviewing mail and opening lots of links becomes a very slow and irritating chore - it's a shame Outlook doesn't have a right-click 'open in background option, like Firefox...

(Other detail; Outlook '07 with Vista & Firefox)

Any ideas, hive-mind?

PS - Best wishes for all to have a cool yule and a prosperous New Year.

posted by DrtyBlvd to computers & internet (3 comments total)

I use Tabmixplus on Firefox 3.0.5. Under Tools->Tabmixplus Options->Events->Tab Focus there is a listing of "Focus select tabs that open from:" and links, diverted windows, and new tab commands are unchecked. This causes links that are opened in Thunderbird to open in a background tab in Firefox while retaining focus on the email I'm viewing.

I don't know what browser you're using or if this is the same for Outlook, but might be worth looking into.
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 4:02 AM on December 19, 2008

Thanks for the suggestion GOTL, but it doesn't seem to apply / work with Outlook unfortunately...
posted by DrtyBlvd at 4:49 AM on December 19, 2008

(Holy thread revival, batman! Filter)

For posterity; it *does* work with feed-demon & FF3...

"Here are my settings w/FF3, Tab Mix Plus and FD that allow tabs to open in FF in the background:

FeedDemon: Open external links in default browser instead of inside FeedDemon is checked

Firefox 3: Tools->Options->Tabs - "When I open a new tab switch to it immediately" is unchecked

Tab Mix Plus options (Tools->Tab Mix Plus Options):

1) Links: "Open Links that open a new window in:" and "Open links from other applications in:" are both set for "New Tab"

2) Events: On Tab Focus tab - Uncheck the first three items under "Focus/Select tabs that open from" - that is, uncheck Links, Diverted Tabs, and New Tab commands

Edited to add: "Diverted Tabs" is the main one that has to be unchecked, the other two are personal preference"
posted by DrtyBlvd at 10:28 AM on March 20