How to create a Firefox Batch File

well before MS Internet Explorer came out with tabbed browsing, I also had a way to create one of these for it, but since I evolved to using Mozilla's Firefox for my internet I haven't bothered figuring out how to rewrite this. Ok, little background.

A Batch file is a script of sorts written in code on your computer. To put it very simply, it does a bunch of tasks in one 'batch'. It triggers your command prompt (cmd) to open and run whatever the batch file tells it too. So you could do lots of other things other than what I will show you. For example you could have a batch file that opens MS Word, Excel, your Calculator, and Outlook, all in one click.

Mozilla Firefox is a free internet browser, which in my opinion is so much better than the standard Internet Explorer (IE). It has many customizable options, with plugins and themes galore.

So what I am going to show you today, is a batch file that opens multiple Firefox tabs with your favorite sites. Typically every morning once my computer gets all finished logging in, and I have finished shaving (yes it takes that long) I like to check 3-4 websites for new stuff. This batch process lets me do that very easily.

Start off with downloading and installing Firefox if you don't already use it! If you don't want to give Firefox a shot, then skip to the end this how-to ain't for you.

1. Open a notepad file. (please tell me you know how to do this.)
2. On the first line type the following (leave out the quotes), separate your sites by a single space
and omit the http://

"start firefox tarheelfan.wordpress.com/ domenico13.blogspot.com/ kel-koo.blogspot.com/ lifehacker.com/"

Ok, let's break that down. First start then firefox then your website your website etc. I choose my favorite Tar Heel fan site, my blog, my friend Kelly's blog, and lifehacker. Notice there is no http's, this should all be on one line and use a single space between words/sites.

3. Now click File in your notepad window, then Save As...
(Real quick, anyone know what the ... 's indicate?)

4. Click My Computer > C drive > Program Files > Mozilla Firefox
Your C drive should be the main hard drive in your computer whatever letter it is labeled as. This is where you want to save your batch file.

5. name your file something clever, like websites and at the end type in .bat
Click Save
So the end result would look something like this "websites.bat"

6. Now open windows, WINDOWS explorer. Sorry for the caps, but every time I am trying to help someone on their computer and I ask them to open explorer, they click internet explorer. We want Windows explorer.

Browse back to My Computer > C drive > Program Files > Mozilla Firefox
Find your .bat file. Right click it and send to desktop as a shortcut.

test it out, it should work unless I mistyped (or you did) something above.

Well I have a ton to do, so I'm cutting it short today. I have to answer a couple emails, tonight I have the trainer, then want to maybe mow the yard, and just for Kelly, put out the trash then take bets on if the trash man will take everything.

I'm one disc into season 2 of Battlestar Galactica, and I'm embarrassed to admit I think I am hooked. I just wish my favorite Sci-Fi show made a comeback and had lasted as long. (That show being Firefly).

To answer Kelly's comment question, my one choice at Subway has always been the Spicy Italian. The only thing that's changed in my toppings are the bread choice, and sometimes the sauce (spicy mustard+mayo or chipolte+sweet onion).

More for Kelly, yes those sunglasses were pretty $$$, and believe me, it took me awhile to pull the trigger buying them. I have had good experience with Oakley in the past, even though I can only find a small number of their styles I actually like. I was also looking at the Romeo model/style, but went with mine because of the full frame. I don;t regret buying them, I rarely buy something expensive for myself, and I treat them like they are made out of porcellin, even though they are very tough. As far as the 'active lifestyle' comment. Going outside on my deck, walking the dogs, spending hours watching movies so I can share my thoughts, how much more active do I need to be? What am I training for the Olympics?

Lastly, couple notable Blue-Ray release announcements.

Batman Begins - Widescreen
Release Date: 7/8/2008
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Be Kind Rewind - Widescreen Fullscreen
Release Date: 6/17/2008
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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Widescreen
Release Date: 5/13/2008
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ciao!