Website Icon Missing When Suspended? Feature Request!

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into a fascinating discussion about a potential enhancement for The Tab Suspender, a fantastic add-on for Firefox. A user, faisalbhuiyan3038, raised a thoughtful point regarding the website icons when tabs are suspended. Let’s explore this idea in detail and see why it could be a game-changer for user experience.

Understanding the Current Behavior

Currently, when a tab is suspended using The Tab Suspender, the website icon disappears and is replaced by a “zzz” symbol. This symbol clearly indicates that the tab is in a suspended state, which is super helpful for managing memory and reducing clutter. The “zzz” icon serves as a visual cue, instantly telling you which tabs are inactive and not consuming resources. This is particularly useful when you have a lot of tabs open, as it allows you to quickly identify and reactivate the ones you need, while keeping the others in a dormant state. The core function of tab suspenders is to free up system resources by putting inactive tabs to sleep, and the “zzz” icon is a simple and effective way to show this status. However, there's a valid argument for retaining the original website icon, which we'll delve into next.

The User's Perspective: Why Keep the Website Icon?

The user, faisalbhuiyan3038, highlighted a crucial point: the ability to quickly identify websites by their icons. In their feedback, they mentioned that while the “zzz” symbol is effective in indicating a suspended tab, the original website icons are invaluable for quickly recognizing which website is which, especially in collapsed toolbar mode or when using a Zen-like interface. This is a very practical consideration. Think about your own browsing habits. How often do you rely on favicons (the little icons next to the website title) to navigate your tabs? For many of us, these icons are a visual shorthand, allowing us to instantly locate the tab we need without having to read the title. When these icons are replaced, it can slow down our workflow, as we need to spend extra time figuring out which tab belongs to which website. The user's suggestion is not about aesthetics; it's about improving usability and efficiency. By keeping the original website icon alongside the “zzz” symbol, users can have the best of both worlds: a clear indication of suspension status and the quick visual identification provided by favicons. This is especially beneficial in scenarios where visual cues are paramount, such as in collapsed toolbars or minimalistic interfaces. For users who juggle multiple tabs, the visual consistency offered by retained icons can significantly streamline their browsing experience, reducing cognitive load and improving overall productivity. The essence of the feedback is that while the