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Appirio's Tech BlogIf you're using Google Apps and Firefox and would like to default email links to open in Google Apps follow the steps below.
First, make sure you're using Firefox 3. Open Firefox, and enter about:config into the address bar. This will bring up a warning message, click on the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.
First, we need to edit the option for web pages to register themselves as protocol handlers, so enter gecko.handler in the filter bar and select the option highlighted below.
gecko.handlerService.allowRegisterFromDifferenceHost
Make sure this option is set to True (You can do so by double clicking that entry in the browser). This allows mailto: links to forward to web based email providers such as Google Apps. If you wanted to set webcal: links to a web based calendar like Google Calendar you would need this setting enabled as well.
Now that we've enabled this option we need to register Google Apps as a handler. To do this, we need to execute a single line of JavaScript. In the address bar, copy and paste the following:
javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler('mailto','https://mail.google.com/a/yourdomain.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s','Google Apps')
Note that you will need to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name. Firefox will prompt you to add an application. Click "Add Application."
Finally, Navigate to Tools / Options / Applications and set Google Apps as your default for mailto.
19 comments:
Awesome post. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.
- Dave
Thanks, although I don't really get the step where I should copy and paste the following in the address bar:
javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler('mailto','https://mail.google.com/a/yourdomain.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s','Google Apps')
Which address bar? If I enter this into the browser address bar where I entered about:config nothing happens. The "Add Application" doesn't show.
Hi Brian - Yes, the address bar is where you enter the command. You might check Tools-Options-Content and make sure that Javascript is enabled.
And go ahead and check Tools-Options-Applications and see if Gmail is an option under mailto.
Good Luck!
Tim
Thanks for the info. I already had those settings. I didn't mention that I use Firefox on a Mac though.
Still nothing happens when entering the javascript into the address bar.
To the folks for whom the javascript seems to do nothing; make sure you hit the enter key after pasting and modifying the script.
To the person having problems:
Make sure you change the part of what you pasted from yourdomain.com to your actual domain name. For example, if my domain name is joeshmoe123.com, I would modify the script to look like this:
javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler('mailto','https://mail.google.com/a/joeshmoe123.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s','Google Apps')
Then hit "Enter."
worked like a charm for me. thanks. somehow, however, my WiseStamp signature add-in does not get triggered. I noticed that the compose window occupies the full screen without the regular side and top Google navigation bar. which is fine, but that maybe be the problem? is there a work-around? BTW, I use Google Apps.
Thanks
I tried to do this but it didn't work and I think the problem is that I don't have the domain name correct in the cut/paste "javascript: ....." part. I know it's a completely stupid question, but how do I determine my domain name? Thanks! PS-When this works it will be AWESOME!!!
@ Town Hall - I haven't used WiseStamp, but I'm guessing you're correct; that however WiseStamp is hooked into Google Apps is being bypassed (in other words, it probably keys off of the clicking of the 'Compose Email' button.
@ LeeAnn - take a look at JayAaroBe's comment on this thread; that may help you if you're having problems with the domain name.
Thanks!
Tim- Thanks for the comment. I did use that as my template but I am not sure what my domain name is. I assumed my email address and obviously that's wrong. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi LeeAnn -
The domain name is everything after the @ symbol in your email address.
For example - the email address at Appirio for technical support is support@appirio.com
So the domain name I would enter is appirio.com
Hope this helps!
Thanks again Tim,
I hate to appear completely stupid, but just to clarify, for me that would mean:
oberlin.edu
correct? Since my email addy is LeeAnn.Lubinski@oberlin.edu - that is what I am assuming.
Thanks for being patient with me!
Did we verify that this does work on Macs? Because firefox doesn't see anything after I enter the information with the correct domain.
Thanks!
I tried this many times and no success. I wonder if it is a Vista 32 bit issue.
I tried this many times with no success. It stops at the application being added. I never saw that window. I wonder if this is a vista 32 Bit issue?
Thanks so much! Works for me as of today (October 27th, 2009), FF 3.5.3
failed on me, two machines. Javascript never initiates the pop up.
I tried a bunch of times and couldnt get anything to happen after entering the javascript line in the address bar UNTIL....
I went into my Google Toolbar and unticked the Use Gmail for MailTo links box. After doing that it worked like a charm
Thank you! This was exactly what I was looking for.
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