Frequently Asked Questions about 3x3Links

Content:
Why only 3x3 Links?
What other Keyboard Shortcuts are there?
How do I set 3x3Links as my Browser Startpage?
Why there are no search boxes available?
What general keyboard shortcuts do I have to know?
Can I help somehow?
Is 3x3Links healthy?
Is 3x3Links environmentally friendly?
Why only one logo per domain name?
Can I upload my own logos?
Why for all Google Serviced the same logo is displayed?

Question Why only 3x3 Links? Those are only 9 options. There is so much space left!

There is one major reason you feel so familiar with the 3x3 navigation:
Role Models
You actually use your mobile daily to fast dial your friend's number. So we thought,
why not also dial your favorite websites?
Try it out yourself: Open the demo and dial one of the websites using the keyboard shortcuts, not the mouse.

But of course the 3x3 (or nine) pattern can also be found elsewhere in daily life:

Tic Tac Toe

Rubik's Cube

8 major directions + center

Found more patterns? Post your image to the 3x3 Group!

Question What other Keyboard Shortcuts are there?

Classic - The number pad

If you've ever had to type a large amount of numbers, you will know the number pad keys by heart.
Keyboad Shortcuts

Gamer - The shooter movement keys

If you are playing a lot of games, you will be familiar with this alternative.
Keyboad Shortcuts

Mobile - The laptop number pad

Please note that you don't have to press down the FN button to enable the laptop number pad.
Keyboad Shortcuts

Minimalistic - The direction keys

4 keys - 9 options. This is all about math. Combine the directions of the direction keys to select you link. Remember that pressing the opposite keys simultaneously results in dialing the centered link.
Keyboad Shortcuts

Question How do I set 3x3Links as my Browser Startpage?

General

3x3Links works best, if:

it is setup as your browser homepage / startpage
it is displayed when a new tab is opened

Please navigate to your personal 'No Sign-In Required' Link before setting 3x3Links as your browser startpage. It can be found on your Options page.

Firefox

Drag the 3x3Links Icon to you Startpage Icon. Setup Startpage in Firefox
If you want your 3x3Links page to be displayed everytime you open a new Tab, install the Firefox Add-on New Tab Homepage.

Chrome

Here is a guide how to setup the homepage in Chrome.
If you want your 3x3Links page to be displayed everytime you open a new Tab, do the following:

Download and install the Google Chrome Beta to be able to install Extensions or wait until the Gold Version supports Extensions.
Download the Chrome Extension New Tab Website.
Set up your Encrypted 'No Sign-In required' Link as your website to open on new tab.
Enjoy :)

Internet Explorer (Version 8)

Part 1:
1. Click on the drop down arrow next to the Home button
2. Select "Add or Change Home Page" from the Home Page Menu
3. Select "Add this web page to your home page tabs." (radio button)

Part 2:
1. Click on Tools -> Internet Options
2. Select the button on the General tab to change Tabbed Browsing Setting
3. Change behaviour when new Tab is opened to "Your first home page":
Setup Startpage in Firefox

Question Why there are no search boxes available?

There is no real need. Try this:

Create a new folder "Search Engines", e.g. on position 5.
Inside the folder create a link to Bing (bing.com) on position 1.
Dial now Bing by typing [5] [7] on your number pad.
Bing will set focus on the search field directly.
Type your query and hit Enter button to execute it.

Easy, right?

Question What general keyboard shortcuts do I have to know?

Open new browser tab: CTRL + T
Go to start page: ALT + HOME

Question Can I help somehow?

Tell your friends
Become a Facebook Fan
Become Side-Admin and manage uploaded website logos

To apply as Side-Admin, go to the 3x3Links Group and send an E-Mail to the Group Owner.

Question Is 3x3Links healthy?

Not really. Go outside and get some exercise.
Maybe it helps a little bit by preventing tenosynovitis letting you access your favorites without using the mouse.
Healthy

Question Is 3x3Links environmentally friendly?

Yes, because:

You reach your destination faster. So you can turn off you PC sooner.
It is hosted on a Virtual Machine by Google (Google App Engine). This is much more efficient than runnning a separate server.
Website logos are shared between users. This keeps the logo repository small and requires less data storage.

More info:

Question Why only one logo per domain name?

3x3Links tries to share logos between users to save hosting fees and to keep all logos always up-to-data.

Question Can I upload my own logos?

Yes.

Question Why for all Google Services the same logo is displayed?

3x3Links does not select a link logo based on the whole URL, but just on the domain and sometimes also the subdomain.

To link Google Services, use always the subdomain link, for example: http://reader.google.com instead of http://www.google.com/reader. This works for nearly all links!