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Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

#21

Post by dizhn »

jasfi wrote: post #8

There's still the annoyance of wanting to hang on to some tabs, but not others. Bookmarking extensions are typically the answer, but there seems to be a problem with out-of-sight, out-of-mind. So once you've bookmarked a tab and closed it, the chance of going back to it isn't good.

It might fit your style to combine pinned tabs with a tab group extension. The groups are named and you can switch to them with a shortcut and pinned tabs are obviously visible everywhere.

EDIT: I am using the Simple Tab Groups extension on Firefox.

Re: Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

#22

Post by kornork »

jasfi wrote: post #8

There's still the annoyance of wanting to hang on to some tabs, but not others. Bookmarking extensions are typically the answer, but there seems to be a problem with out-of-sight, out-of-mind. So once you've bookmarked a tab and closed it, the chance of going back to it isn't good.

I wrote a script that opens a random bookmark. I set it to run every day when I know I'll be taking a break.

Now I can safely close tabs, having successfully satisfied my brain's objections.

Re: Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

#23

Post by hlesesne »

warrenm wrote: post #15

I use multiple browsers for this purpose - trying to keep individual windows straight that are all holding [supposedly] grouped tabs sounds like about 20x the mental overhead

Running Ubuntu (and most other os’s support this) I opt for different desktops for different contextual work - and I keep my sound turned down when I’m focused. I find that it minimizes my cognitive switching costs, but is still easy to switch when I choose.

Re: Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

#24

Post by danielcid »

warrenm wrote: post #15

I use multiple browsers for this purpose - trying to keep individual windows straight that are all holding [supposedly] grouped tabs sounds like about 20x the mental overhead

I do the same. 3 different browsers: work, personal and random stuff. Keeping them isolated from each other clears the clutter and my focus when working.

Re: Tell HN: Use separate windows, not tabs, for distinct tasks

#26

Post by muzani »

I don't like doing this on a Mac because the windows seem to disappear when in background. Windows is incredibly good for well, multiple windows. It snaps to corners and halves, swaps contexts, handles multiple monitors well. A Mac is a better focused work machine, but sometimes I just forego the multi tasking.
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