Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with firefox and Google

Firefox/Gmail Not Filling in Email (aka The Lazy Function!)

snap_dragon — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:05:45 -0800

At my gmail sign-on using Firefox, I could type the first initial in my email name and it would drop down where I could click on my email name and automatically insert it (then password). It stopped doing that and I have been messing with Firefox autofill and that seems mainly for filling out forms. Yes, I am sure this is an easy thing for someone (me) to fix but for some reason it is stumping me. My wife and I liked the utter simplicity on our home computer of this function. Can you help? Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all MeFi users

Chrome clone that isn't made of Chrome?

doublehappy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:35:55 -0800

Are there any browsers that are essentially Chrome clones in function and appearance, but aren't Chrome and don't share any common code? I really like it and find it easy to use, but it kills my computer when I use it (we're talking forcing hard reboots, etc.). So does firefox, incidentally (but less often for some reason).

I tried Iron, but it is the same code, just with the 'send data to google' removed.

Can I make Chrome appear Firefoxy?

bluefly — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:16:20 -0800

I like to watch a lot of streaming video especially for sports games. I usually use the Google Chrome browser. But some sites' media players say they only work with Firefox or IE and won't even give me the chance of trying it out in Chrome. Is there a way to trick the sites into thinking Chrome is really one of the approved browsers? Or is there really some fundamental difference that makes the players break in Chrome? I am especially looking to watch sports on NBC. I recently uninstalled Firefox because I didn't like the new version. But I can reinstall it if that's the only solution. I am on a Windows Vista computer. Thanks.

Dear Google, Why are you automatically deselecting the top search box?

limeonaire — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:19:36 -0800

Google search seems to be exhibiting an irritating new behavior. Please help! At work, I spend a lot of time doing quick fact-checking on Google. To execute the many searches this requires, I either, per suggestions from this 2007 query,

1. hit Command-L to quickly highlight the address bar's text, then type a Firefox search shortcut, e.g. google cheetos, and hit enter, or

2. if I'm already on a Google search page (e.g. this one), hit tab once to select the text in the top search field (since searching from there seems to require less load time than searching cold from the address bar), then type my query and hit enter. To make searching even quicker next time, I normally tab to this box immediately after completing the previous search, so that when I Command-Tab back to Firefox from the Word doc I'm working on, the text in that field is selected and ready to be replaced.

I don't use the dedicated search box in Firefox (I've removed it from the navigation toolbar), and would prefer to continue not to.

Unfortunately, either Google or Firefox seems to have changed something over the weekend, as I've noticed something odd today when I've attempted to use method No. 2. When I've just completed a search and tab to the first search field on a page like this, all the text in the field is initially selected, but then quickly deselects, leaving the browser's focus still on the field, but the text inside unselected. This means that instead of quickly typing in a query to replace the text in the field, then hitting enter, I have to additionally hit Command-A to select the text in the field before typing my query.

It's just an addition of one keystroke, basically, but it's throwing me off my usual search rhythm. Also, while I know I could just hit tab again to select the text in the bottom search field on the page, I'd prefer to continue searching from the top search field—or at very least to solve the mystery of why the text in that field is automatically deselecting.

Does this make sense? And has anyone else who uses a similar method of searching Google experienced this today? If so, can anyone help me figure out how to get the old selection behavior back? My only guess would be that it has something to do with Google seeing the rapid selection of that box immediately after a search is executed as somehow accidental, and attempting to correct that. But my doing so is very much on purpose!

Google's services don't work in a specific way

msbrauer — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:30:10 -0800

Why aren't most google services working for me and why do the error pages look identical in firefox, chrome, and IE8? For about a week most google services have stopped working for me. Oddly, I get identical error messages that look like this in all three browsers on my computer (firefox, chrome, and IE8 in Windows Vista) as well as on Mac with Safari in OSX. By identical, I mean that the layout, font, and wording is exactly the same. I am in China, so this may be related to the Great Firewall, but I don't think so. As a comparison, here's an image of the error page I get when trying to view youtube (which is currently blocked in China): firefox, chrome, IE8. While the error is the same in those 3 screenshots, the browsers display them differently.

This behavior happens with all www.google.com/* services that I can remember, but gmail (www.gmail.com redirecting to mail.gmail.com) doesn't exhibit the problem.

How to add Google search engine back to Firefox?

rintako — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:50:40 -0800

I deleted the Google search engine from my Firefox search engine bar. How do I add it back? You know the bar beside the address bar in Firefox? I removed Google and went to the search-engine page to search for Google."com" since my results were showing up as Google."ca

What happened was there was no Google search engine! Now I'm stuck with yahoo. Please tell me how I can add Google back to the bar. I miss it. Thanks.

Why does Google suddenly think I'm Korean?

Mamapotomus — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:10:10 -0800

Why would the Google search bar in Firefox suddenly think I'm Korean? I'm using Firefox 3.0.4 and iGoogle is one of my homepages. If I search Google via that page everything is normal, but any search from the search bar in Firefox comes up under google.co.kr.

This just started this morning and I haven't changed any preferences or system settings recently. I used the search bar with no problems yesterday. I've tried restarting my pc but it's still happening and I have no idea what to try next. Any help would be appreciated.

Conditional search engine selection in Firefox?

qvtqht — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:35:13 -0800

Conditional search engine selection in Firefox search box based on contents (in particular, character set) of the search query? I would like Firefox to use a different search engine depending on the type of string I enter into the search box. I think that regex matching, if possible, would do the trick.

I like using the search box in Firefox.

I like Google for most searches, but I want to use Yandex by default for any search that contains Cyrillic (Russian) characters.

For example, if I'm searching for "keys wallet phone", Firefox should use Google, but if I'm searching for "ключи бумажник телефон", it should switch to Yandex. (Yandex should be used even if Latin characters are present, as long as at least one Cyrillic character is there.)

How do I make Firefox switch search engines depending on the charset of the text I enter?

I can't see any Google pages after I log in to my GOogle account

feelinggood — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:55:18 -0800

What is wrong with my Google login? Recently my Google sign-in has been acting strange. Whenever I access a service that needs a login (such as my iGoogle page, Gmail, but not Google Reader), all I see at the end is a blank page. There are no error messages, etc. The status bar shows "Done"
and sometime I have seriously long URLs (such as https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?continue=http://www.google.com/ig&followup=http://www.google.com/ig&service=ig&passive=true&cd=US&hl=en&nui=1&ltmpl=default
OR https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?continue=http://www.google.com/ig&followup=http://www.google.com/ig&service=ig&passive=true&cd=US&hl=en&nui=1&ltmpl=default.
Other strange URLs are http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=69569&ctx=sibling&topic=13922
and https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLoginAuth?service=mail.

I can't remember making any change to network settings that would have brought this on.

Things I've tried (usually several times and in various combnations):
1. emptying the cache
2. deleting all temporary files
3. using Firefox in safe mode (all add-ons disabled)
4. re-installing Firefox (several times)
5. Deleting cookies
6. Checking my "accept cookies" status and accepting all
7. Using IE7
8. Using browsers on another computer on my home network

My sister can log in to my Google account on her computer located in another house.

I'm thinking it's my router?
I'm using Windows XP SP3 all updated, etc. and Firefox 3.

Things I haven't tried, but I'm about to:
1. Reinstalling Windows
2. Clearing my router settings
3. Buying a new router
3. Committing suicide (just joking).

Thanks.

Google reader coming up blank

uncballzer — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:24:23 -0800

Google reader started acting funny this morning For some reason, google reader is wanting to act funny, in fact, I think all of firefox is going loco on me. First and foremost: google reader opens, but it's not showing the navigation panel, nor anything else (page is blank) except for the google line across the top: google reader, email, settings, help, etc.

It just started doing this this morning. I'm using firefox, and have not installed any addons/greasemonkey scripts. I've tried clearing the cache/private data multiple times, using ccleaner, rebooting and all. I've tried reinstalling firefox also, but no cigar.

It still works fine in internet explorer, plus on another computer using firefox it showed up fine as well.

Not sure if this is related, but two other sites I've had trouble with today also: photobucket didn't want to open a browse window to upload pictures and facebook isn't quite working also with its popups (they usually fade out or close after clicking "ok,etc" but they have stopped doing that also).

Anyone got any other ideas? I'm mostly concerned about greader for now, the others I can deal with later, unless they fix with this. Thanks!

Google in Internet Explorer but not Firefox?

AdamOddo — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:13:23 -0800

Google search problems here. I've asked around the local tech circle and no one can think up an explanation for this one. Google will load in FF and IE7 - but - I can only execute a search from IE. I'm running XP with the latest final of FF. I have Google as an exemption, so I know it's not a problem with cookies. I've also ran Spybot and Adaware, and both came up clean. Google pings with zero packet loss. This one has got me baffled.

I can't access any Google site. Can you help?

kdern — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:59:27 -0800

I suddenly can't access any Google sites from my computer. Any ideas how to fix? I am on a PC running Firefox. In the last day or two I have not been able to access any Google site (Google, gmail, maps, reader, etc).

Here's what I've tried so far:
- Restart firefox
- Restart computer
- Restart modem and router
- Empty cache and cookies
- Run spybot and AdAware
- Tried Google from Internet Explorer
- Checked router security settings to see any domains have been blocked

Any suggestions of other steps to try?

Thanks.

What happened to clean URLs, Google? Jeez.

arielmeadow — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:51:58 -0800

Is there a script I can use to work around the google-fied URLs that now show up in searches? Here's the scenario:

1. I'm writing a blog post about Mefi. I can't remember the URL. I go to google, search for metafilter, and there it is!

2. I right click on the link in the google search results and select "copy link location." Until recently, this would give me http://metafilter.com.

Now it gives me this:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metafilter.com%2F etc etc (I truncated to spare you all the ugliness.

I can't paste that mess!

Are there any scripts (greasemonkey, maybe?) to get around this irritating issue?

Where does autofill come from?

M Edward — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:38:34 -0800

Firefox Filter: Is there any way to view the autofill lists outside of Firefox? Where does Firefox store the autofill information? Like previous google searches? Is there a way to view them with a text editor?

I am looking for something I googled a long time ago but going through the entire history of my searches line-by-line with only 4 at a time showing is driving me batty.

Firefox Browser Gmail Issues

snap_dragon — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:17:25 -0800

Google Browser Synch keeps showing my old gmail name though I have completely signed in with my new gmail address. Still, Firefox (2.0) for Mac keeps showing my older gmail name in the right corner of the browser bar. Any ideas on how to set it to my new gmail account's name?

Gmail and Firefox: Not Stronger than Dirt

Ike_Arumba — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:43:00 -0800

Yesterday, the "dynamic" (aka AJAX) version of Gmail stopped working for me in Firefox. I am using FF 2.0.0.9, but when I go to gmail (or Google Calendar) I am getting a message saying my browser is not supported, and they throw me into the standard html version. What's going on here? (more after the jump) I am using Windows Vista Home edition, have JavaScript enabled in Firefox, and gmail was previously working fine for me with this version of FF. Haven't installed anything new lately. I have tried disabling extensions, no help there either. Basically it's as if gmail thinks I'm coming in on some weird browser.

Looks like this guy had a similar problem, but his workaround solution (using https: instead of http:) didn't work for me.

Suggestions on how to troubleshoot?

Fixing Google Desktop links

Aanidaani — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:27:02 -0800

I like Google Desktop but there is one minor annoyance that has been bugging me. Whenever I click on a link in a sidebar gadget, that link loads in IE7, even though my default browser is Firefox. Is there a solution to this? I'm on Windows Vista, if that helps (or hurts).

Addressbar search problems in Firefox: returns Russian results!

jonesor — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:14:41 -0800

When I search Google from the Firefox address bar I get Russian results - why and how can I fix it? When I type a word in Firefox's addressbar (e.g. "Biology") I get results in Russian:

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=biology

If I do the same search in the Google search bar I get results in English:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=biology&source-id=Mozilla%20Firefox&start=0

If I try with "BBC" I get the Ukrainian BBC site when I used to get the UK BBC site.

I guess some config files got changes somewhere along the line.
Can anyone help get it working nicely again?

Redirecting nowhere...

the christopher hundreds — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:27:03 -0800

firefoxfilter: When I sign on to some websites (including westlaw and all google derivatives) firefox doesn't follow through. It stops, displays a blank white page, and the word "Redirecting" appears in the tab title where it should say "Gmail" or whatever. Did I do this? Could it be adblock? Can you tell me how to fix it? This is what the address bar says:
https://www.google.com/accounts/CheckCookie?continue=http%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%3F&service=mail&hl=en&chtml=LoginDoneHtm

After signing in and getting stuck on this mystery page, I can just type "gmail.com" into the address bar and it will load just fine. I only have this problem when I first sign in.

This seems like something I should be able to fix on my own, but no luck. I've been tooling around the firefox forums for the last hour, and have been trying to find a solution off and on for a month or so.

network.http.redirection-limit is set at the default 20 in about:config, so I don't think that's it.

Index everything with Firefox or GDT

antisocialiting — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:31:11 -0800

Is it possible with either a firefox extension or a google desktop plugin to cache or index everything I view on the internet? I have Firefox and Google Desktop installed on my machine I want to know if there is a Firefox ext or GDT plugin that will more or less save everything I view. Presently if I view the cached pages in gdt it will show all the text from the page and most of the pictures. Is it possible to have it save all the pictures, and if not why? also is there a free application that will do it for me? thanks
ps I don't care about the amount of space this could take up on my hard drive.

How to disable Firefox spell check when context menu is stolen?

jacobjacobs — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:15:36 -0800

How do I disable Firefox's spell check (for a specic field) in Google Docs when on right click I can only get the Google Docs' context menu? Firefox 2 has a built in spell checker, which I like. If I don't want it on for a certain textarea I can right click and uncheck "Spell check this field" -- but Google docs has its own right click context menu, so I cannot uncheck this (and am using Google docs for a notes which often contain my own abbreviations). I cannot find any other option other than turning off the spell check altogether. Disabling javascript yields no context menu whatsoever on right click.

Any ideas?

Is there a keyboard shortcut for Google Toolbar in FF 2.0?

tickingclock — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:32:24 -0800

Is there a keyboard shortcut that moves the keyboard cursor to the Google Toolbar in Firefox 2.0? I've been an avid user of the Google Toolbar for a long time. Recently, I upgraded to Firefox 2.0 -- and to my surprise, alt + S no longer moves my cursor to the Google Toolbar, but instead, opens the "History" menu bar.

Because I am both a creature of habit and incurably lazy, I would love to be able to use some sort of a keyboard shortcut to search using the Google Toolbar. This page suggests that alt + S is the only way to do so at the moment.

Is there a way for me to associate some keyboard shortcut with the toolbar? Alternatively, is there a way so disable to shortcut that opens the history menu? Thanks in advance!

Viva la web revolucion!

Smarson — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 07:23:44 -0800

What is this web revolution I see before me? Over the course of the past year I have had a lot of time to surf the web and have come to the conclusion that a new era of web based communication is unfolding before my very eyes. It started when I stumbled across Lifehacker.com, which showed me a whole new side of the internet that I had never conceived of. From that point I began to discover websites that re-oriented the way I've come view information creation, distribution, and storage (Ask Metafilter being one of those discoveries). Some examples of websites I lump into this category are:

*Del.icio.us
*Metafilter
*Ask Metafilter
*Lifehacker
*Wikipedia
*Firefox
*Google (and it's all it's applications including Gmail and Gcal)
*Flickr
*Blogger/Wordpress/etc.
*Bloglines

The list goes on and on and is constantly growing (thanks largely to Lifehacker discoveries). Obviously Google and Wikipedia were known to me prior to my new found web exploration, but only as straight forward tools. It's only in the last 8 months that I've come to understand the potential of their design (e.g. Google Map Mash-ups and wiki-technology as a whole).

Among the above listed websites and others I identify in my "web revolution," I see common themes. The use of tagging is widely present as well as the concept of the blog (In reality Lifehacker and Metafilter/Ask Metafilter are just widely popular blogs with no single author and Flickr is essentially a collection of thousands of photo blogs). I guess even deeper than that is the theme of individual empowerment through the web. Most of these sites were not generated by large corporations (although they may later have been aquired by them), but rather created by a single individual or small group of individuals in order to address an existing need they percieved.

So my questions. Does anyone else see the watershed that I speak of, or is this normal web progression and my "revolution" is simply a personal one? If this is an actual distinct movement within the internet, does it have a name or other identifying characteristics similar or different to the ones I listed above?

FF "search this site" plug-in

chefscotticus — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:52:45 -0800

Do you know of any Firefox search plug-in that will "search this site" (being the current *websitesite*) for text entered in the search box? I'm thinking in the search engine one, a search plug-in that would search all of www.lifehacker.com, for example, with the text entered. (essentially, it would automatically take care of the "site:lifehacker.com" string part of the google search). oh well, it would be very cool...

How do I get Google toolbar keyword highlighting functionality in FireFox?

scarabic — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 12:21:55 -0800

I've been enjoying Firefox quite a bit, ut there's one thing I really miss from IE. I had the Google toolbar installed on IE and I frequently used the "highlight" button to make whatever term I entered show up in yellow inside the page. This is really useful when poring over Google results. Is there an extension I can use to do the same thing?