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Tab Browsing Killed Productivity

by Adam Carn
7 replies
Someone, somewhere (can't remember who or where) once mentioned that that multiple tab feature on browsers ruined productivity. At first I thought what on earth is that person on about. But after some deep thinking I realised it's so true.

I have millions of tabs open in my browser all the time and I'm always jumping from one to the other. This results in a lot of distraction and very little being done.

Hmm...

Adam
#browsing #killed #productivity #tab
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Adam, don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like the problem is less with the tool than the operator...

    I love the multiple tab function, especially when researching or reading blogs.

    If I'm doing a search for something, I can scan down the results page and open multiple links in multiple tabs, then go from tab to tab looking for the information. I find it much more efficient than jumping back and forth using the back button.

    When reading blogs or RSS feeds, if I see a link in a post that I want to check out, I simply open the link in a new tab and keep reading the post or article. When I'm done, I can check out the tab.

    The key is to close tabs when you're done with them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Adam Carn
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Adam, don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like the problem is less with the tool than the operator...
      No that's fine, no offence taken.

      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      I love the multiple tab function, especially when researching or reading blogs.
      I love it too that's why I use it. It's VERY useful for what I do.

      I
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      I find it much more efficient than jumping back and forth using the back button.
      Precisely...

      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      The key is to close tabs when you're done with them.
      Yep... from my post I wasn't criticising the tab system, I was just merely pointing out it's effect on me. Your post made me come across quite stupid.

      Adam
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      Taking a break...
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Adam Carn View Post


        Yep... from my post I wasn't criticizing the tab system, I was just merely pointing out it's effect on me. Your post made me come across quite stupid.

        Adam
        Adam, I wasn't trying to make you look stupid. When I read

        I have millions of tabs open in my browser all the time and I'm always jumping from one to the other. This results in a lot of distraction and very little being done.
        I saw myself before I recognized what was happening and formed the habit of cleaning up after myself when I was done with tabs.

        Now if I can just get the same habit to stick on my desk...:rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Adam, don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like the problem is less with the tool than the operator...

      I love the multiple tab function, especially when researching or reading blogs.

      If I'm doing a search for something, I can scan down the results page and open multiple links in multiple tabs, then go from tab to tab looking for the information. I find it much more efficient than jumping back and forth using the back button.

      When reading blogs or RSS feeds, if I see a link in a post that I want to check out, I simply open the link in a new tab and keep reading the post or article. When I'm done, I can check out the tab.

      The key is to close tabs when you're done with them.
      I have to agree!

      In my case it actually makes me more productive simply because instead of going from window to window which is actually slower and takes longer as if you have more than 2 or 3 they all go into one and then don't give much of a descrption as to what each one is, meaning i was clicking all of them to find which one i wanted.

      Tom Brite
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author globalpro
    Hi,

    Since I switched to FF, I would be lost without the multiple tab option. I do a lot of script install/set up/ testing and love to be able to do it all at one place.

    Of course I do close them out after done.

    Thanks,

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Before multiple tabs, I used to have multiple windows anyway, so as far as having multiple things open, there's really been no change for me. It's just a little more organized to have a series of tabs to go through rather than a bunch of windows.

    On the other hand, I've also been known to have multiple windows open with multiple tabs in each...

    Gets really bad when you enter a search term in Google and hit the submit button only to discover you were actually on Twitter and just broadcast your search.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      Gets really bad when you enter a search term in Google and hit the submit button only to discover you were actually on Twitter and just broadcast your search.
      That's what I call disorganized and funny.

      Tabbed browsing came out while I was on dial up and it was such a help. Mostly I was reading forums then and while I was going through clicking on the posts I wanted to read, they were loading behind the scenes and I never did catch up. High speed would have been no advantage at all for that.

      Three times when I had more than the usual number of tabs opened I checked on the number and it was over 150 each time. Then I could get off line, free up the phone line, and finish my reading.
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