164955 - [RFE] Customizable Context Menus

Status: VERIFIED WONTFIX

(Core :: XUL, enhancement)

Description

[Whitney]

In 1.0, "Open Link in New Tab" was at top of list. Now, in 1.1, "Open Link in
New Window" is at top of list. I'm sure that some people found "New Tab" at top
to be irritating, because they preferred windows to tabs, but some people prefer
tabs to windows. So, I suggest customizable context menus - an option in
preferences with a list (that mozilla projects/addons can also add their own
options to) that the user can use to choose which options they want in the
context menu.

If not this, then at least an option to have "Open Link in New Tab" at top of
list as opposed to "New Window." (:

Comment 1

[R.K.Aa.]

The order of these menu items in the context menu was the fix for bug 135250.
I can't see any benefit in being able to customize all menus to my own taste -
it sounds like the potential for a lot of bloat. Recommend WONTFIX.

Comment 2

[Jonas Jørgensen]

> an option in preferences with a list [...] that the user can use to choose
> which options they want in the context menu.

No. Bloat. And if not for regular menus (bug 94554), not for context menus.

> If not this, then at least an option to have "Open Link in New Tab" at top of
> list as opposed to "New Window."

No. Bug 161466 comment 26.

WONTFIX.

Comment 3

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

*** Bug 167432 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 4

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

I'm reopening this pending module owner comment... I think it makes a lot more
sense to customize context menus and toolbars (which are supposed to be
convenience features) than it does to customize main menus.

Comment 5

[Daniel Herring]

3 comments:

1.) Changing the layout of convenience widgets (such as pop-up context menus)
can drastically affect the user's productivity.  Consider two users opening a
link in a new tab.
Moz 1.0:
"right-click -> small mouse motion -> left-click"
Moz 1.2a (20020908):
"right-click -> small mouse motion -> visually look to make sure the right
choice is highlighted -> left-click"

Its that "taking your eyes off the main task" that really kills you.

2.) "Bloat"!?!  Yes Mozilla suffers from it, but I hardly feel that this
(fundamental) feature will add a noticeable amount.  At what point should
"functionality" be considered "bloat"?  If bloat is an issue, then use Lynx.  To
change something like bloat, a shift in paradigm is needed; not small,
insignificant "optimizations".

3.) I thought the whole purpose of having a JScript/XUL/... based rendering
system was to make changes like this easier.  Yes, I could hand-edit my skin
files to fix this problem, but then why do we use interpreted languages?  If all
UI changes must be done in a static, edit-and-try sequence, then you might as
well switch to a static (compiled) language.  This would go far in reducing "bloat".

Comment 6

[Brendan Eich [:brendan]]

(JScript?  Please, that's an MS trademark.  It's "JavaScript" [Sun trademark,
but they don't mind if we @mozilla.org use it] or just "JS" around here.)

XUL-based UI is more flexible and customizable; see Phoenix's customizable
toolbar for a recent example.  That doesn't mean every idea that comes down the
pike must be implemented in the default Mozilla UI.  Lots of add-ons belong
elsewhere, mozdev.org mainly.

Opening a link in a new tab is best done with ctrl-click.  I'm curious whether
that feature is not known, or whether you can't or won't use a keyboard/mouse
combination, and require a mouse-only way to open a new link in a tab.  Let's
argue about the particular problem motivating this over-general bug.

/be

Comment 7

[Daniel Herring]

Thanks Brendan.

to respond to your comment:
1.) Sorry; I float around in too many groups; from now on, I'll refer to JS.

2.) I would tend to agree but...  When I last installed a nightly (Win build
linked from the homepage), it clobbered my customizations (including ones from
mozdev and one I had been developing).  I digress, but the "default build" is
rather customization unfriendly; it won't even let one deselect the IRC or Mail
"features"...

3.) I'm aware of the <Ctrl>-click option, but choose not to use it.  I do have
it selected in the "Edit->Preferences" dialog.  Mixing input methods is not
always convenient.  I tend to use _either_ the keyboard _or_ the mouse; in
keyboard mode, I use shortcuts; in mouse mode, I use toolbars and context menus.
 This tends to be faster than moving my hand to reach for the mouse/keyboard.
    Mixing inputs is one point where I disagree with Apple; their insistance on
a single-key mouse.  Three buttons with scroll-wheel works best for me; it has
all the functionality of a <Meta>-click, but only requires a single motion. 
<Meta>-click requires 2 motions and is therefore slower and more prone to error.  

In my browsing, the context menu is a primary means of navigation.  My three
most frequently used functions are "Open link in new tab", "Save link target
as", and "Copy link location".  If I could (easily) get rid of options like
"Send page" (which I never use becuase I don't use MozMail), then I would be a
happier user.  However, I would readily settle for switching the two "Open link"
options, one of which I almost never use.

Comment 8

[Daniel Herring]

One other note:
switching between PC and Sun keyboards makes using the <Ctrl> key especially
painful; they are located in different spots.

Thanks,
Daniel

Comment 9

[Jonas Jørgensen]

See also bug 62498, [RFE] Customization of address field (location bar) context
menu.

Comment 10

[Blake Ross]

This is definitely a WONTFIX.  It could be an add-on, for sure.  Jonas, please
don't WONTFIX bugs without talking to the owner first.

Comment 11

[jag (Peter Annema)]

I agree this should be wontfix. Not enough bang for the buck.

Comment 12

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

*** Bug 184567 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 13

[John Matrix]

Ctrl-Click is especially bad for pornsites, because left hand isn't on the
keyboard, but a dick...

Comment 14

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

*** Bug 212524 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 15

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

*** Bug 221072 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 16

[Bill Mason]

*** Bug 221892 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 17

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

*** Bug 234458 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***