Web-based protocol handlers in FF3.0

Still a feature more or less unknown for most persons is the Web-based protocol handlers. Available since Firefox 3.0 it integrates Web 2.0 applications more in the browser. So what is it about. Normally if you use a protocol handler (like mailto: or irc: ...) you usually will get asked if you want to start the appropriate program or to select the appropriate program. Now it is possible to use a Web 2.0 application as protocol handler. So for example now is it possible to open gmail, whenever you click a 'mailto:' link.

As example I will show you how to set gmail as your default email client.
1. You go to tools
2. Click on options
3. Navigate to the 'Applications' tab
4. There you search for 'mailto'
5. In the second column you can select 'gmail'
Now every time you click on a 'mailto' link, gmail will get opened.

For Web Application developers I would recommend to read the following link, because there is some more information to let your web application being used by protocol handlers. Be careful by default it isn't allowed to register your application using JavaScript. So you will need to add the instruction to do it by hand.