Rekonq: Difference between revisions

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    {{Template:I18n/Language Navigation Bar|Rekonq}}
    {{Template:I18n/Language Navigation Bar|Rekonq}}
    <languages />
    <translate>
    {|class=vertical-centered
    |[[Image:Rekonq.png|256px|thumb|left|rekonq 0.5.0]]||The fast, simple WebKit-based KDE browser]]
    |}</translate>
    <translate>
    ==Introduction==


    [[Image:Rekonq.png|256px|thumb|left|rekonq 0.5.0]]
    Based initially on ''qtwebkit'' (and currently on ''dewebkit''), '''rekonq''' is a lightweight browser designed to use the '''WebKit''' rendering engine in combination with various KDE technologies, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into the KDE desktop. The name is a throwback to the venerable khtml-based '''[[Konqueror]]''' which is currently the default KDE web browser.


    The fast, simple WebKit-based KDE browser
    '''rekonq''' has already replaced '''Konqueror''' as the default browser in Chakra, with more distributions expressing similar intent for their future releases. The current stable release version is '''rekonq 0.5.0'''.


    =Introduction=
    ==Interface==
     
    Based initially on qtwebkit (and currently on kdewebkit), rekonq is a lightweight browser designed to use the WebKit rendering engine in combination with various KDE technologies, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into the KDE desktop. The name is a throwback to the venerable khtml-based [[Konqueror]] which is currently the default KDE web browser.
     
    rekonq has already replaced Konqueror as the default browser in Chakra, with more distributions expressing similar intent for their future releases. The current stable release version is rekonq 0.5.0.
     
    =Interface=


    [[Image:Rekonq-toolbar.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 main toolbar]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-toolbar.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 main toolbar]]


    By default, the rekonq window uses only one toolbar. This main toolbar consists of four navigation buttons (back, forward, home, reload/stop), the URL bar and two menu/buttons, one for bookmarks and one for the settings. This minimalist approach to the main toolbar marks the most significant user-interface departure from the traditional multi-toolbar paradigm followed by most other browsers like Konqueror.
    By default, the '''rekonq''' window uses only one toolbar. This main toolbar consists of four navigation buttons (<menuchoice>back</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>forward</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>home</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>reload/stop</menuchoice>), the URL bar and two menu/buttons, one for <menuchoice>bookmarks</menuchoice> and one for the <menuchoice>settings</menuchoice>. This minimalist approach to the main toolbar marks the most significant user-interface departure from the traditional multi-toolbar paradigm followed by most other browsers like '''Konqueror'''.


    Further, the main toolbar offers only limited customization - orientation (locked at the top of the window, by default), icon size (medium, by default) and icon labels (not shown, by default). This helps keep the rekonq UI simple and puts the focus on the webpage on display.
    Further, the main toolbar offers only limited customization - <menuchoice>orientation</menuchoice> (locked at the top of the window, by default), <menuchoice>icon size</menuchoice> (medium, by default) and <menuchoice>icon labels</menuchoice> (not shown, by default). This helps keep the '''rekonq''' UI simple and puts the focus on the webpage on display.


    [[Image:Rekonq-urlbar.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-urlbar.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar]]
    Line 25: Line 26:
    [[Image:Rekonq-newtab.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 new tab page]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-newtab.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 new tab page]]


    When started, rekonq displays the New Tab page, much of which is taken by a set of preview thumbnails of favorite webpages. These thumbnails offer a speedy way for the user to access their most frequently used webpages. There is also a pane at the top of this page allows the user to switch to previews of recently closed tabs and lists of bookmarked webpages, download and browsing histories.
    When started, '''rekonq''' displays the New Tab page, much of which is taken by a set of preview thumbnails of favorite webpages. These thumbnails offer a speedy way for the user to access their most frequently used webpages. There is also a pane at the top of this page allows the user to switch to previews of recently closed tabs and lists of bookmarked webpages, download and browsing histories.


    [[Image:Rekonq-panels.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 hidden UI elements]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-panels.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 hidden UI elements]]
    Line 31: Line 32:
    Further configuration options activate several other UI elements hidden by default. These include a toolbar for bookmars, a panel (a panel, being a mini-window that can be resized, detached or re-docked in the main window) each for bookmarks and history and a web inspector panel (handy for web development).
    Further configuration options activate several other UI elements hidden by default. These include a toolbar for bookmars, a panel (a panel, being a mini-window that can be resized, detached or re-docked in the main window) each for bookmarks and history and a web inspector panel (handy for web development).


    =Features=
    ==Features==


    Under its minimalist appearance, rekonq packs a full set of powerful features. Some of them are described below:
    Under its minimalist appearance, '''rekonq''' packs a full set of powerful features. Some of them are described below:


    ==KDE integration==
    ===KDE integration===


    rekonq is designed with the aim of being a '''KDE''' browser. And it shows;
    '''rekonq''' is designed with the aim of being a KDE browser. And it shows;


    ===Appearance===
    ====Appearance====


    It obeys your themes, fonts, window decoration, menu highlighting, and many personalization options you set for your desktop.  
    It obeys your themes, fonts, window decoration, menu highlighting, and many personalization options you set for your desktop.  


    ===Applications===
    ====Applications====


    [[Image:Rekonq-okularkpart.png|384px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 opens a pdf file in an [[Okular]] kpart]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-okularkpart.png|384px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 opens a pdf file in a '''[[Okular|Okular]] kpart''']]


    rekonq plays well with other applications in the KDE family. rekonq will always use your chosen default applications to handle file types. PDF files, for example will open in an embedded [[Okular]] kpart within rekonq itself. Media files will open in [[Dragon Player]] (or any other designated default application for that filetype).
    '''rekonq''' plays well with other applications in the KDE family. '''rekonq''' will always use your chosen default applications to handle file types. PDF files, for example will open in an embedded '''[[Okular|Okular]] kpart''' within '''rekonq''' itself. Media files will open in '''[[Dragon Player|Dragon Player]]''' (or any other designated default application for that filetype).


    [[Image:Bookmarkseditor.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 shares bookmarks etc. with Konqueror]]
    [[Image:Bookmarkseditor.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 shares bookmarks etc. with Konqueror]]


    Bookmarks, web shortcuts (more on these later), cookies and authentication information are shared with Konqueror. You will see the same set of bookmarks from either application and you can log onto a website on Konqueror and carry on seamlessly if you decide to switch to rekonq. Your passwords are stored securely in [[KDE_Wallet_Manager|KWallet]] and can be used from either Konqueror or rekonq.
    Bookmarks, web shortcuts (more on these later), cookies and authentication information are shared with '''Konqueror'''. You will see the same set of bookmarks from either application and you can log onto a website in '''Konqueror''' and carry on seamlessly if you decide to switch to '''rekonq'''. Your passwords are stored securely in '''[[KDE_Wallet_Manager|KWallet]]''' and can be used from either '''Konqueror''' or '''rekonq'''.


    Your downloads can be optionally handled by [[KGet]]. Feeds from websites can be saved to Akregator (or Google Reader).
    Your downloads can be optionally handled by [[KGet|'''KGet''']]. Feeds from websites can be saved to '''Akregator''' (or '''Google Reader''').


    {|cellpadding="4"
    {|class="tablecenter vertical-centered"
    |[[Image:Rekonq-akregator.png|300px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 + Akregator]]||[[Image:Rekonq-kget.png|100px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 + kget]]
    |[[Image:Rekonq-akregator.png|300px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 + Akregator]]||[[Image:Rekonq-kget.png|100px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 + kget]]
    |}
    |}
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    [[Image:Rekonq-ftp.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.4.0 browsing an ftp share]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-ftp.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.4.0 browsing an ftp share]]


    rekonq supports KIO services, including cookies, cache, proxies and network settings. KIO-slaves like file:/, ftp:/, man:/, help:/, info:/ etc will work in rekonq, too.
    '''rekonq''' supports KIO services, including cookies, cache, proxies and network settings. ''KIO-slaves'' like file:/, ftp:/, man:/, help:/, info:/ etc will work in rekonq, too.


    ====Dialogs====
    ====Dialogs====


    In addition to all this, rekonq uses KDE's own file dialog for opening/saving documents. This means, you have access to the Places sidebar from Dolphin while you open or save documents.
    In addition to all this, '''rekonq''' uses KDE's own file dialog for opening/saving documents. This means, you have access to the ''Places'' sidebar from '''Dolphin''' while you open or save documents.


    Thus, rekonq looks, feels and behaves like a part of your KDE desktop.
    Thus, '''rekonq''' looks, feels and behaves like a part of your KDE desktop.


    ==Webkit engine==
    ==Webkit engine==


    rekonq uses the open source WebKit rendering engine which incidentally began life as a branch of the khtml/kjs libraries from the KDE project. WebKit is fast, powerful and used by many other popular browsers today including Google's Chrome/chromium, Apple's Safari and others.
    '''rekonq''' uses the open source '''WebKit''' rendering engine which incidentally began life as a branch of the khtml/kjs libraries from the KDE project. '''WebKit''' is fast, powerful and used by many other popular browsers today including Google's '''Chrome/chromium''', Apple's '''Safari''' and others.


    ==Auto-load/click-to-load plugins==
    ==Auto-load/click-to-load plugins==
    Line 81: Line 82:
    [[Image:Rekonq-manualplugins-youtube.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 demonstrating the click-to-load-plugins feature on youtube.com]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-manualplugins-youtube.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 demonstrating the click-to-load-plugins feature on youtube.com]]


    One of the benefits of using the WebKit engine, plugins can be disabled from automatically loading. This comes in handy to surf websites fast, without being bogged down by flash plugins. In the so-called Click-to-load mode, you will instead see a button that you can click on to activate the plugin.
    One of the benefits of using the '''WebKit''' engine, is that plugins can be disabled from automatically loading. This comes in handy to surf websites fast, without being bogged down by '''flash''' plugins. In the so-called ''Click-to-load'' mode, you will instead see a button that you can click on to activate the plugin.


    ==Adblock support==
    ==Adblock support==
    Line 87: Line 88:
    [[Image:Rekonq-adblock.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 blocking images on kde-apps.org]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-adblock.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 blocking images on kde-apps.org]]


    rekonq comes with an automatic subscription to the Easylist filter, which is updated every week. Additionally, you can set up manual filters to block loading of elements from webpages that match your criteria. You can even download and import additional published filterlists or export your list for backup.
    '''rekonq''' comes with an automatic subscription to the Easylist filter, which is updated every week. Additionally, you can set up manual filters to block loading of elements from webpages that match your criteria. You can even download and import additional published filterlists or export your list for backup.


    ==Web shortcuts support==
    ==Web shortcuts support==


    rekonq allows you to pick from an extensive list of web shortcuts - these are keywords that allow you to search the web quickly. For instance, entering gg:KDE in the location bar will search Google for 'KDE', while wp:KDE will search wikipedia for 'KDE'. There are dozens of these defined by default. You can edit these or even define custom shortcuts to search on your favorite websites.
    '''rekonq''' allows you to pick from an extensive list of web shortcuts - these are keywords that allow you to search the web quickly. For instance, entering {{Input|1=gg:KDE}}in the location bar will search ''Google'' for "KD"', while {{Input|1=wp:KDE}}will search ''Wikipedia'' for "KDE". There are dozens of these defined by default. You can edit these or even define custom shortcuts to search on your favorite websites.


    ==Privacy and security features==
    ==Privacy and security features==
    Line 97: Line 98:
    [[Image:Rekonq-privatebrowsing.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 in private browsing mode]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-privatebrowsing.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 in private browsing mode]]


    rekonq allows users to browse the web without retaining information about the visited pages in your history. Note that this feature does not necessarily make you anonymous on the internet - it only prevents fresh information from being recorded on your computer. You can also delete your history, cookies and other private data anytime straight from the configuration menu button.
    '''rekonq''' allows users to browse the web without retaining information about the visited pages in your history. Note that this feature does not necessarily make you anonymous on the internet - it only prevents fresh information from being recorded on your computer. You can also delete your history, cookies and other private data anytime straight from the configuration menu button.


    [[Image:Rekonq-sslinfo.png|100px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar showing the SSL info icon]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-sslinfo.png|100px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar showing the SSL info icon]]


    When viewing webpages over a secure connection, you can also view SSL information straight from the URLbar by clicking on the yellow lock icon.
    When viewing webpages over a secure connection, you can also view SSL information straight from the URLbar by clicking on the <menuchoice>yellow lock</menuchoice> icon.


    ==Advanced tab handling==
    ==Advanced tab handling==
    Line 107: Line 108:
    [[Image:Rekonq-tabpreview.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 showing a preview of a tab on hover]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-tabpreview.png|512px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 showing a preview of a tab on hover]]


    rekonq allows you to rearrange your tabs on the fly. Just drag a tab to the left or to the right and the other tabs will move out of your way. You can also hover over a tab to see a live preview of the webpage being displayed there.
    '''rekonq''' allows you to rearrange your tabs on the fly. Just drag a tab to the left or to the right and the other tabs will move out of your way. You can also hover over a tab to see a live preview of the webpage being displayed there.


    A context menu (right-click menu) gives access to more tab-related functions such as the ability to detach, clone, reload the tab.
    A ''context menu'' (right-click menu) gives access to more tab-related functions such as the ability to detach, clone, reload the tab.


    ==Session restore feature==
    ==Session restore feature==


    If rekonq crashes, it will automatically attempt to restore your session, complete with all the tabs the next time you start it. If for some reason, the browser continues to crash upon restoring the session, rekonq will automatically start with a fresh session the second time.
    If '''rekonq''' crashes, it will automatically attempt to restore your session, complete with all the tabs the next time you start it. If for some reason, the browser continues to crash upon restoring the session, rekonq will automatically start with a fresh session the second time.


    ==Full screen mode==
    ==Full screen mode==


    rekonq supports full-screening the webpage straight from the configuration menu button or through a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+F, by default). In the full screen view, the main toolbar will auto-hide and the webpage will be displayed over your entire screen.
    '''rekonq''' supports full-screening the webpage straight from the configuration menu button or through a keyboard shortcut (<keycap>Ctrl+Shift+F</keycap>, by default). In the full screen view, the main toolbar will auto-hide and the webpage will be displayed over your entire screen.


    ==Zoom slider==
    ==Zoom slider==
    Line 123: Line 124:
    [[Image:Rekonq-zoom.png|256px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 showing the zoom slider in the configuration menu]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-zoom.png|256px|thumb|center|rekonq 0.5.0 showing the zoom slider in the configuration menu]]


    rekonq has a slider to adjust the zoom right from the configuration menu with a handy button to restore the zoom back to default. Of course, you can still use keyboard (Ctrl + +/-) or mouse (Ctrl + mouse scroll up/down) shortcuts just the same.
    '''rekonq''' has a slider to adjust the zoom right from the configuration menu with a handy button to restore the zoom back to default. Of course, you can still use keyboard (<keycap>Ctrl+ +/-</keycap>) or mouse (<keycap>Ctrl + mouse scroll up/down</keycap>) shortcuts just the same.


    =FAQs, Tips and Tricks=
    =FAQs, Tips and Tricks=


    ===How do I set rekonq as my default browser?===
    ===How do I set '''rekonq''' as my default browser?===


    Head to [[System Settings]] > Default Applications. Here, click on Web Browser to set your default browser. Select to open http and https URLs in the following browser and enter 'rekonq %u' as the browser. Click Apply.
    Head to <menuchoice>System Settings -> Default Applications</menuchoice>. Here, click on <menuchoice>Web Browser</menuchoice> to set your default browser. Select to open http and https URLs in the following browser and enter {{Input|1=rekonq %u}}as the browser. Click <menuchoice>Apply</menuchoice>.


    [[Image:Defaultwebbrowser.png|256px|thumb|left|Setting rekonq as the default web browser]]
    [[Image:Defaultwebbrowser.png|256px|thumb|center|Setting '''rekonq''' as the default web browser]]


    ===How do I load flash on demand?===
    ===How do I load flash on demand?===


    Click on the configuration menu button, and open the 'Configure rekonq' dialog. Click on WebKit and under Plugin settings, select to 'Manually Load Plugins'. Click OK.
    Click on the <menuchoice>configuration</menuchoice> menu button, and open the <menuchoice>Configure rekonq</menuchoice> dialog. Click on <menuchoice>WebKit</menuchoice> and under <menuchoice>Plugin settings</menuchoice>, select to <menuchoice>Manually Load Plugins</menuchoice>. Click <menuchoice>OK</menuchoice>.


    [[Image:Rekonq-manualplugins.png|256px|thumb|left|Setting rekonq to not automatically load plugins]]
    [[Image:Rekonq-manualplugins.png|256px|thumb|center|Setting '''rekonq''' to not automatically load plugins]]


    ===How do I make rekonq behave like chrome/chromium?===
    ===How do I make '''rekonq''' behave like '''chrome/chromium'''?===
    Using [[KWin]]'s window tabbing feature, we can make rekonq emulate the behavior of chromium by opening new windows instead of tabs within the same window. This will not however allow each window of rekonq to crash independently - all windows of rekonq crash as a single process. It merely emulates the look of chromium, giving individual controls for each webpage you load.
    Using [[Special:myLanguage/KWin|'''KWin''']]'s window tabbing feature, we can make '''rekonq''' emulate the behavior of '''chromium''' by opening new windows instead of tabs within the same window. This will not however allow each window of '''rekonq''' to crash independently - all windows of '''rekonq''' crash as a single process. It merely emulates the look of '''chromium''', giving individual controls for each webpage you load.


    Click on the configuration menu button and open the 'Configure rekonq' dialog. Click on 'Tabs'. Unselect all options to disable all tab handling in rekonq. Now, rekonq will always open new windows instead of tabs.
    Click on the configuration menu button and open the <menuchoice>Configure rekonq</menuchoice> dialog. Click on <menuchoice>Tabs</menuchoice>. Unselect all options to disable all tab handling in '''rekonq'''. Now, '''rekonq''' will always open new windows instead of tabs.


    Now, we'll set up KWin to automatically tab all rekonq windows together. Head to System Settings > Window Behavior. Select Window Behavior on the left and go to the Advanced tab. Here, under Window Tabbing, check 'Automatically group similar windows'. Click Apply.
    Now, we'll set up '''KWin''' to automatically tab all '''rekonq''' windows together. Head to <menuchoice>System Settings -> Window Behavior</menuchoice>. Select <menuchoie>Window Behavior</menuchoice> on the left and go to the <menuchoice>Advanced</menuchoice> tab. Here, under <menuchoice>Window Tabbing</menuchoice>, check <menuchoice>Automatically group similar windows</menuchoice>. Click <menuchoice>Apply</menuchoice>.


    Now, rekonq will open windows by default which will automatically get tabbed together.
    Now, '''rekonq''' will open windows by default which will automatically get tabbed together.


    {|cellpadding="4"
    {|
    |[[Image:Rekonq-notabs.png|162px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 configuration]]||[[Image:Systemsettings-4.4.4-enablewindowtabbing.png|162px|thumb|System Settings configuration]]||[[Image:Rekonq-windowtabbing.png|162px|thumb|The result]]
    |[[Image:Rekonq-notabs.png|200px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 configuration]]||[[Image:Systemsettings-4.4.4-enablewindowtabbing.png|200px|thumb|System Settings configuration]]||[[Image:Rekonq-windowtabbing.png|200px|thumb|The result]]
    |}
    |}


    ===How do I enable Adblock?===
    ===How do I enable Adblock?===


    Adblocking should already be enabled for you using the Easylist adblock subscription. You can further configure it by clicking on the configuration menu button and opening the 'Configure rekonq' dialog. Click on AdBlocK Filters'. Here, you can add custom filters using wildcard strings (e.g. http://www.site.com/ads/*) or regular expressions within forward slashes (e.g. //(ads|dclk)\./).
    Adblocking should already be enabled for you using the <menuchoice>Easylist</menuchoice> adblock subscription. You can further configure it by clicking on the configuration menu button and opening the <menuchoice>Configure rekonq</menuchoice> dialog. Click on <menuchoice>AdBlocK Filters</menuchoice>. Here, you can add custom filters using wildcard strings (e.g. <nowiki>http://www.site.com/ads/*</nowiki>) or regular expressions within forward slashes (e.g. //(ads|dclk)\./).


    Clicking Apply activates your adblock filters instantly.
    Clicking <menuchoice>Apply</menuchoice> activates your adblock filters instantly.


    {|cellpadding="4"
    {|
    |[[Image:Rekonq-adblockconfiguration.png|250px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (automatic) configuration]]||[[Image:Rekonq-adblockconfiguration-manual.png|250px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (manual) configuration]]
    |[[Image:Rekonq-adblockconfiguration.png|250px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (automatic) configuration]]||[[Image:Rekonq-adblockconfiguration-manual.png|250px|thumb|rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (manual) configuration]]
    |}
    |}
    Line 164: Line 165:
    ===I have more questions!===
    ===I have more questions!===


    If you have rekonq installed, you can load up the Help document (just press F1) for more information. A user-generated manual is also available [[Rekonq/Manual|here]]. KDE Forums is always a good place to ask user-specific questions.
    If you have '''rekonq''' installed, you can load up the <menuchoice>Help</menuchoice> document (just press <keycap>F1</keycap>) for more information. A user-generated manual is also available [[Special:myLanguage/Rekonq/Manual|here]]. [http://forum.kde.org KDE Forums] is always a good place to ask user-specific questions.


    The [http://rekonq.sourceforge.net/ rekonq website] has release announcements for the latest stable and unstable releases along with more helpful links. You can also contact the developers on the [irc://freenode/#rekonq #rekonq IRC channel] or the [mailto:[email protected] mailing list] with more questions.
    The [http://rekonq.sourceforge.net/ '''rekonq''' website] has release announcements for the latest stable and unstable releases along with more helpful links. You can also contact the developers on the [irc://freenode/#rekonq #rekonq IRC channel] or the [mailto:[email protected] mailing list] with more questions.


    ===How do I contribute?===
    ===How do I contribute?===
    Line 173: Line 174:


    [[Category:Internet]]
    [[Category:Internet]]
    </translate>

    Revision as of 15:23, 8 September 2010

    Template:I18n/Language Navigation Bar

    rekonq 0.5.0
    The fast, simple WebKit-based KDE browser]]

    Introduction

    Based initially on qtwebkit (and currently on dewebkit), rekonq is a lightweight browser designed to use the WebKit rendering engine in combination with various KDE technologies, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into the KDE desktop. The name is a throwback to the venerable khtml-based Konqueror which is currently the default KDE web browser.

    rekonq has already replaced Konqueror as the default browser in Chakra, with more distributions expressing similar intent for their future releases. The current stable release version is rekonq 0.5.0.

    Interface

    rekonq 0.5.0 main toolbar

    By default, the rekonq window uses only one toolbar. This main toolbar consists of four navigation buttons (back, forward, home, reload/stop), the URL bar and two menu/buttons, one for bookmarks and one for the settings. This minimalist approach to the main toolbar marks the most significant user-interface departure from the traditional multi-toolbar paradigm followed by most other browsers like Konqueror.

    Further, the main toolbar offers only limited customization - orientation (locked at the top of the window, by default), icon size (medium, by default) and icon labels (not shown, by default). This helps keep the rekonq UI simple and puts the focus on the webpage on display.

    rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar

    Version 0.5.0 introduces the tech preview of a vastly improved URL bar that offers access to search engines from the drop down completion list itself. The completion list is also populated by matching items from your history and bookmarks.

    rekonq 0.5.0 new tab page

    When started, rekonq displays the New Tab page, much of which is taken by a set of preview thumbnails of favorite webpages. These thumbnails offer a speedy way for the user to access their most frequently used webpages. There is also a pane at the top of this page allows the user to switch to previews of recently closed tabs and lists of bookmarked webpages, download and browsing histories.

    rekonq 0.5.0 hidden UI elements

    Further configuration options activate several other UI elements hidden by default. These include a toolbar for bookmars, a panel (a panel, being a mini-window that can be resized, detached or re-docked in the main window) each for bookmarks and history and a web inspector panel (handy for web development).

    Features

    Under its minimalist appearance, rekonq packs a full set of powerful features. Some of them are described below:

    KDE integration

    rekonq is designed with the aim of being a KDE browser. And it shows;

    Appearance

    It obeys your themes, fonts, window decoration, menu highlighting, and many personalization options you set for your desktop.

    Applications

    rekonq 0.5.0 opens a pdf file in a Okular kpart

    rekonq plays well with other applications in the KDE family. rekonq will always use your chosen default applications to handle file types. PDF files, for example will open in an embedded Okular kpart within rekonq itself. Media files will open in Dragon Player (or any other designated default application for that filetype).

    rekonq 0.5.0 shares bookmarks etc. with Konqueror

    Bookmarks, web shortcuts (more on these later), cookies and authentication information are shared with Konqueror. You will see the same set of bookmarks from either application and you can log onto a website in Konqueror and carry on seamlessly if you decide to switch to rekonq. Your passwords are stored securely in KWallet and can be used from either Konqueror or rekonq.

    Your downloads can be optionally handled by KGet. Feeds from websites can be saved to Akregator (or Google Reader).

    rekonq 0.5.0 + Akregator
    rekonq 0.5.0 + kget

    Services

    KIO support

    rekonq 0.4.0 browsing an ftp share

    rekonq supports KIO services, including cookies, cache, proxies and network settings. KIO-slaves like file:/, ftp:/, man:/, help:/, info:/ etc will work in rekonq, too.

    Dialogs

    In addition to all this, rekonq uses KDE's own file dialog for opening/saving documents. This means, you have access to the Places sidebar from Dolphin while you open or save documents.

    Thus, rekonq looks, feels and behaves like a part of your KDE desktop.

    Webkit engine

    rekonq uses the open source WebKit rendering engine which incidentally began life as a branch of the khtml/kjs libraries from the KDE project. WebKit is fast, powerful and used by many other popular browsers today including Google's Chrome/chromium, Apple's Safari and others.

    Auto-load/click-to-load plugins

    rekonq 0.5.0 demonstrating the click-to-load-plugins feature on youtube.com

    One of the benefits of using the WebKit engine, is that plugins can be disabled from automatically loading. This comes in handy to surf websites fast, without being bogged down by flash plugins. In the so-called Click-to-load mode, you will instead see a button that you can click on to activate the plugin.

    Adblock support

    rekonq 0.5.0 blocking images on kde-apps.org

    rekonq comes with an automatic subscription to the Easylist filter, which is updated every week. Additionally, you can set up manual filters to block loading of elements from webpages that match your criteria. You can even download and import additional published filterlists or export your list for backup.

    Web shortcuts support

    rekonq allows you to pick from an extensive list of web shortcuts - these are keywords that allow you to search the web quickly. For instance, entering

    gg:KDE

    in the location bar will search Google for "KD"', while

    wp:KDE

    will search Wikipedia for "KDE". There are dozens of these defined by default. You can edit these or even define custom shortcuts to search on your favorite websites.

    Privacy and security features

    rekonq 0.5.0 in private browsing mode

    rekonq allows users to browse the web without retaining information about the visited pages in your history. Note that this feature does not necessarily make you anonymous on the internet - it only prevents fresh information from being recorded on your computer. You can also delete your history, cookies and other private data anytime straight from the configuration menu button.

    rekonq 0.5.0 URL bar showing the SSL info icon

    When viewing webpages over a secure connection, you can also view SSL information straight from the URLbar by clicking on the yellow lock icon.

    Advanced tab handling

    rekonq 0.5.0 showing a preview of a tab on hover

    rekonq allows you to rearrange your tabs on the fly. Just drag a tab to the left or to the right and the other tabs will move out of your way. You can also hover over a tab to see a live preview of the webpage being displayed there.

    A context menu (right-click menu) gives access to more tab-related functions such as the ability to detach, clone, reload the tab.

    Session restore feature

    If rekonq crashes, it will automatically attempt to restore your session, complete with all the tabs the next time you start it. If for some reason, the browser continues to crash upon restoring the session, rekonq will automatically start with a fresh session the second time.

    Full screen mode

    rekonq supports full-screening the webpage straight from the configuration menu button or through a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+F, by default). In the full screen view, the main toolbar will auto-hide and the webpage will be displayed over your entire screen.

    Zoom slider

    rekonq 0.5.0 showing the zoom slider in the configuration menu

    rekonq has a slider to adjust the zoom right from the configuration menu with a handy button to restore the zoom back to default. Of course, you can still use keyboard (Ctrl+ +/-) or mouse (Ctrl + mouse scroll up/down) shortcuts just the same.

    FAQs, Tips and Tricks

    How do I set rekonq as my default browser?

    Head to System Settings -> Default Applications. Here, click on Web Browser to set your default browser. Select to open http and https URLs in the following browser and enter

    rekonq %u

    as the browser. Click Apply.

    Setting rekonq as the default web browser

    How do I load flash on demand?

    Click on the configuration menu button, and open the Configure rekonq dialog. Click on WebKit and under Plugin settings, select to Manually Load Plugins. Click OK.

    Setting rekonq to not automatically load plugins

    How do I make rekonq behave like chrome/chromium?

    Using KWin's window tabbing feature, we can make rekonq emulate the behavior of chromium by opening new windows instead of tabs within the same window. This will not however allow each window of rekonq to crash independently - all windows of rekonq crash as a single process. It merely emulates the look of chromium, giving individual controls for each webpage you load.

    Click on the configuration menu button and open the Configure rekonq dialog. Click on Tabs. Unselect all options to disable all tab handling in rekonq. Now, rekonq will always open new windows instead of tabs.

    Now, we'll set up KWin to automatically tab all rekonq windows together. Head to System Settings -> Window Behavior. Select <menuchoie>Window Behavior</menuchoice> on the left and go to the Advanced tab. Here, under Window Tabbing, check Automatically group similar windows. Click Apply.

    Now, rekonq will open windows by default which will automatically get tabbed together.

    rekonq 0.5.0 configuration
    System Settings configuration
    The result

    How do I enable Adblock?

    Adblocking should already be enabled for you using the Easylist adblock subscription. You can further configure it by clicking on the configuration menu button and opening the Configure rekonq dialog. Click on AdBlocK Filters. Here, you can add custom filters using wildcard strings (e.g. http://www.site.com/ads/*) or regular expressions within forward slashes (e.g. //(ads|dclk)\./).

    Clicking Apply activates your adblock filters instantly.

    rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (automatic) configuration
    rekonq 0.5.0 AdBlocK (manual) configuration

    I have more questions!

    If you have rekonq installed, you can load up the Help document (just press F1) for more information. A user-generated manual is also available here. KDE Forums is always a good place to ask user-specific questions.

    The rekonq website has release announcements for the latest stable and unstable releases along with more helpful links. You can also contact the developers on the #rekonq IRC channel or the mailing list with more questions.

    How do I contribute?

    See above for now. :)