w3m is a free and open-source browser, mainly designed for use in terminal environments. It is a text-based browser that renders web pages in plain text to make browsing faster and more efficient. With w3m, navigating through web pages and adding them to your favorites list is straightforward. In this article, we will first introduce you to w3m and its features before showing you how to add websites to your favorites list.
Understanding w3m Browser
w3m browser is a terminal-based browsing application that allows users to access web pages in a minimalistic way. Unlike traditional graphical user interface (GUI) based web browsers, w3m handles web pages in plain text mode, which speeds up browsing and consumes fewer resources. Despite being a text-based browser, it supports advanced features such as SSL, HTML tables, and frames, among others.
Features of w3m Browser
Some of the notable features of w3m include:
Tabbed browsing
Image support
Session management
Bookmark management
Customizable key bindings
Support for local files
Ability to fetch and display remote files
One of the most useful features of w3m is its tabbed browsing. This allows users to open multiple web pages within the same window, making it easy to switch between them. Additionally, w3m supports image display, allowing users to view images within the browser. This feature can be particularly useful for users who need to browse websites with a lot of images, such as online shopping websites or photography blogs.
Another useful feature of w3m is its session management. This feature allows users to save their browsing sessions, including all open tabs and windows, so that they can be resumed later. This can be particularly useful for users who need to take a break from browsing, or who need to switch to another task temporarily.
w3m also has a powerful bookmark management system that allows users to save their favorite websites and access them quickly and easily. Users can organize bookmarks into folders, making it easy to find the website they need.
Customizable key bindings are another great feature of w3m. Users can customize the browser's key bindings to suit their needs, making it easy to navigate the browser using only the keyboard. This can be particularly useful for users who prefer to use the keyboard rather than the mouse.
Finally, w3m supports both local and remote files. This means that users can browse files on their local machine, as well as files on remote servers. This feature can be particularly useful for users who need to access files on a server without a graphical user interface.
Why Use w3m Browser
There are several reasons why you might consider using w3m, including:
No need for a graphical user interface
Access web pages and browse faster with less resource consumption
Ability to browse the internet in any environment, including on servers without GUI interfaces or remote terminals
One of the biggest advantages of w3m is that it does not require a graphical user interface. This means that it can be used on servers without GUI interfaces or remote terminals. Additionally, because w3m handles web pages in plain text mode, it is faster and consumes fewer resources than traditional GUI-based web browsers. This can be particularly useful for users who need to browse the internet on machines with limited resources.
Overall, w3m is a powerful and versatile text-based browser that offers a range of advanced features. Whether you are looking for a lightweight browsing solution, or need to access the internet on a machine without a GUI, w3m is definitely worth considering.
Installing and Setting Up w3m Browser
System Requirements
To use w3m, you need to have a Linux-based system. Consult your distribution's documentation to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements.
Installation Process
The installation process for w3m varies depending on your distribution. For example, you can install it on Ubuntu using the following command:
sudo apt-get install w3m
Basic Configuration
By default, w3m is ready to use after installation. However, you can tweak the settings to suit your browsing preferences. To configure w3m, create a configuration file in your home directory (~/.w3m/config). Then, add the desired settings to the file, such as key bindings and bookmarks.
Navigating w3m Browser
Once you have installed and configured w3m, you can navigate through web pages using several methods.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Using the keyboard is perhaps the easiest way to navigate through web pages on w3m. Here are some common keyboard shortcuts:
Up and Down arrows: to scroll up and down a page
Tab: to move to the next link on a page
Shift + Tab: to move to the previous link on a page
/: to open the search bar
N: to search for the next occurrence
P: to search for the previous occurrence
Ctrl + G: to view the page source code
Mouse Functions
If you're using a graphical terminal that supports mouse interaction, you can use the mouse to click on links on a web page.
Tab Management
w3m allows you to open multiple tabs within the same terminal window. To manage tabs, use the following keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl + T: to open a new tab
Ctrl + N: to move to the next tab
Ctrl + P: to move to the previous tab
Ctrl + W: to close the current tab
Adding a Website to Favorites
Accessing the Favorites Menu
w3m offers a bookmarks feature that lets you save your favorite websites for quick access. To access the bookmarks menu, use the following keyboard shortcut:
Ctrl + B
Saving a Website to Favorites
Once you've opened the bookmarks menu, you can add a new website to your favorites list by typing a name for the bookmark and the website's URL. Then, press Enter to save the bookmark.
Organizing Your Favorites
To organize your bookmarks, open the bookmarks menu, and select the "Edit" option. From there, you can delete, rename, or move bookmarks to different folders.
Conclusion
w3m is a simple and efficient browser that makes browsing the web a breeze. In this article, we have walked you through the process of adding websites to your favorites list in w3m. Use the bookmarking feature to save your favorite websites, and navigate through web pages using keyboard shortcuts or mouse functions. Start using w3m today and experience fast and efficient web browsing!