How to Install Otter Browser on Manjaro Linux

Are you tired of using the same old mainstream browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome? If you’re a Manjaro Linux user looking for a fresh, innovative browsing experience, look no further! In this article, we introduce you to the Otter Browser—a flexible, open-source alternative offering a unique blend of features and customization options. Keep reading to discover why Otter Browser might be the perfect choice for your browsing needs.

Otter Browser: At a Glance

• Customizable Interface: Otter Browser lets you personalize its interface to suit your preferences. You can rearrange and customize toolbars, manage tabs, and use multiple workspaces to organize browsing sessions.
• WebKit-based Rendering Engine: Otter Browser is built on the robust WebKit rendering engine, ensuring compatibility with modern web technologies and a smooth browsing experience.
• Open-Source and Cross-Platform: As an open-source project, Otter Browser is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This means you can enjoy a consistent browsing experience across all your devices.
• Privacy and Security: Otter Browser prioritizes user privacy and security, offering features such as built-in ad-blocking, cookie management, and Do Not Track (DNT) support to ensure a safe and private browsing experience.
• Extensibility and Scripting: Otter Browser supports extensions and user scripts, enabling you to enhance your browsing experience with additional functionality or to modify the browser’s behavior to your liking.
• Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Gestures: Otter Browser offers an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures, allowing you to navigate the web quickly and efficiently.

Now that we’ve piqued your interest in Otter Browser let’s specifically discuss its appeal to Manjaro Linux users.

Why Manjaro Linux Users Should Consider Otter Browser?

Manjaro Linux users are well-versed in the importance of open-source software, customization, and flexibility. Otter Browser aligns perfectly with these values, providing a browser alternative that caters to the unique needs and preferences of the Manjaro community.

Installing Otter Browser on Manjaro Linux allows you to enjoy a lightweight and efficient browsing experience without sacrificing features or compatibility. Additionally, Otter Browser’s customization options and extensibility make it the perfect choice for users who prefer to tailor their software to meet their individual needs.

To help you get started with Otter Browser, our next guide will demonstrate how to install Otter Browser on Manjaro Linux using the Arch Linux User Repository and command line terminal. Stay tuned to unlock the full potential of your browsing experience!

Step 1: Update Manjaro

First, update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This will ensure no conflicts arise as best as possible during the installation.

sudo pacman -Syu

Sometimes, you may need a complete database download if you have not upgraded your Arch Linux system for a while; use the following command if the above update command does not work.

sudo pacman -Syyu

Step 3: Install Otter Browser on Manjaro

Installing Otter Browser is pretty quick. The first task is to enable the AUR, which is disabled on Manjaro Linux by default unless you have already enabled it. Open the command line terminal and execute the following command.

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^#//' /etc/pamac.conf

Now run the install command below; you can use install or build, given it’s only available from the AUR, but I would stress using the build command for best practice.

pamac build otter-browser

Step 3: Launch Otter Browser on Manjaro

Desktop users will not open a terminal to launch the browser each time, so use the following path to launch the application icon.

Taskbar > Internet > Otter Browser

Example:

Once done, you will see the final landing page and are good to go browsing.

Example:

Once open, you will notice that Otter’s browser uses DuckDuckGo as its default search engine.

Step 4: Getting Started with Otter Browser on Manjaro

Now that you’ve installed Otter Browser on your Manjaro Linux system, it’s time to explore its many features and customize it to your liking. In this section, we’ll provide some essential tips, tricks, and customizations to enhance your Otter Browser experience.

1. Customizing the Interface

Otter Browser’s flexible interface allows you to tailor the appearance and functionality of the browser to your preferences. Here are some customization options you can try:

• Rearranging Toolbars and Panels: Otter Browser lets you drag and drop items on toolbars and panels. You can easily rearrange buttons, create custom toolbars, and add new items to the existing ones.
• Adding and Removing Buttons: To add or remove buttons from the toolbars, right-click on any empty space in the toolbar and select “Configure Toolbars.” From here, you can add, remove, or move buttons to create your ideal toolbar setup.
• Customizing the Theme: Otter Browser supports custom themes, allowing you to change the look and feel of the browser. To change the theme, go to “Preferences” > “Appearance” and choose from the available themes or import a custom one.

2. Managing Tabs and Workspaces

Otter Browser offers powerful tab management and workspace features to help you organize your browsing sessions. Here are some tips to get started:

• Creating and Managing Workspaces: Workspaces in Otter Browser allow you to group related tabs together. To create a new workspace, right-click on an empty space in the tab bar and select “Add Workspace.” You can switch between workspaces by clicking on their respective icons in the tab bar.
• Pinning Tabs: Pinning a tab keeps it permanently visible in the tab bar, making it easy to access your favorite websites. To pin a tab, right-click on it and select “Pin Tab.”
• Tab Stacking: You can group related tabs together by stacking them. To stack tabs, drag one tab on top of another in the tab bar. To unstack, drag the tab out of the stack.

3. Enhancing Security and Privacy

Otter Browser prioritizes user privacy and security. Here are some key features to help protect your data:

• Built-in Ad-blocking: Enable the built-in ad-blocker in “Preferences” > “Content Blocking” to block unwanted ads and trackers.
• Cookie Management: Otter Browser provides granular control over cookies. To manage cookies, go to “Preferences” > “Privacy” > “Manage Cookies.”
• Do Not Track (DNT): Enable the Do Not Track feature in “Preferences” > “Privacy” to request websites not to track your browsing activities.

4. Extending Otter Browser with Add-ons

Otter Browser supports extensions and user scripts to enhance your browsing experience further. To manage extensions, go to “Preferences” > “Extensions” and click the “Add” button to browse available extensions or import your own.

With these tips and customizations, you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your Otter Browser experience on Manjaro Linux.

Additional Commands & Tips

How to Update Otter Browser

The best way to upgrade the software is to use the following terminal command.

sudo pamac checkupdates -a

sudo pamac upgrade -a

How to Remove (Uninstall) Otter Browser

When you no longer want the Otter Browser application installed on your system, use the following command to remove it.

pamac remove otter-browser

Lastly, for users that enabled pamac and then had second thoughts about using it and instead wanted to use something else, you can easily disable it using the following command.

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^/#/' /etc/pamac.conf

Conclusion

In summary, installing the Otter Browser on Manjaro Linux is a straightforward process that provides users with a lightweight and customizable browsing experience. By following the appropriate installation steps, users can benefit from a browser designed with a focus on user control and adherence to web standards.

Additional Resources and Links

To further assist you in using and customizing the Otter Browser, please refer to the following official sources:

• Official Otter Browser Website: The main page for the Otter Browser project, where you can find news, updates, and download links.
• Otter Browser Documentation: The official wiki for Otter Browser, containing comprehensive documentation and guides to help you make the most of its features.
• Otter Browser GitHub Repository: The source code repository for the project, where you can explore the code, submit bug reports, and contribute to the development of the browser.
• Manjaro Linux Official Website: The official website for Manjaro Linux, providing information about the distribution, downloads, and support resources.