diff --git a/daemon.py b/daemon.py
index 699bb7d6e..83adeab68 100644
--- a/daemon.py
+++ b/daemon.py
@@ -6462,7 +6462,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                         self.server.newswire,
                                         self.server.positiveVoting,
                                         self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                        self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                         if GETstartTime:
                             self._benchmarkGETtimings(GETstartTime, GETtimings,
                                                       'show status done',
@@ -6580,7 +6581,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                          self.server.newswire,
                                          self.server.positiveVoting,
                                          self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                         fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                         fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                         self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                         msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                         self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                           cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -6691,7 +6693,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                          self.server.newswire,
                                          self.server.positiveVoting,
                                          self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                         fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                         fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                         self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                     msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                     self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                       cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -6802,7 +6805,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                        self.server.newswire,
                                        self.server.positiveVoting,
                                        self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                       self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                     msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                     self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                       cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -6913,7 +6917,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                        self.server.newswire,
                                        self.server.positiveVoting,
                                        self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                       self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                     msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                     self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                       cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7033,7 +7038,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                       moderator, editor,
                                       self.server.positiveVoting,
                                       self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                      fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                      fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                      self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                     msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                     self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                       cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7112,7 +7118,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                    self.server.newswire,
                                    self.server.positiveVoting,
                                    self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                   self.server.fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                   self.server.fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                   self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                     msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                     self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                       cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7207,7 +7214,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                           self.server.newswire,
                                           self.server.positiveVoting,
                                           self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                          fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                          fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                          self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                         msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                         self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                           cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7321,7 +7329,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                        self.server.newswire,
                                        self.server.positiveVoting,
                                        self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                       fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                       self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                         msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                         self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                           cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7427,7 +7436,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                self.server.newswire,
                                self.server.positiveVoting,
                                self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                               self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                 msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                 self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                   cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -7523,7 +7533,8 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                                            self.server.newswire,
                                            self.server.positiveVoting,
                                            self.server.showPublishAsIcon,
-                                           fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                                           fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                                           self.server.iconsAsButtons)
                         msg = msg.encode('utf-8')
                         self._set_headers('text/html', len(msg),
                                           cookie, callingDomain)
@@ -12039,7 +12050,8 @@ def loadTokens(baseDir: str, tokensDict: {}, tokensLookup: {}) -> None:
                 tokensLookup[token] = nickname
 
 
-def runDaemon(fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+def runDaemon(iconsAsButtons: bool,
+              fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
               showPublishAsIcon: bool,
               maxFollowers: int,
               allowNewsFollowers: bool,
@@ -12204,6 +12216,9 @@ def runDaemon(fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
     # calendar, etc as the full width of the screen or not
     httpd.fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader = fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader
 
+    # whether to show icons in the header (eg calendar) as buttons
+    httpd.iconsAsButtons = iconsAsButtons
+
     if registration == 'open':
         httpd.registration = True
     else:
diff --git a/epicyon.py b/epicyon.py
index c77565ef3..c6174d1cd 100644
--- a/epicyon.py
+++ b/epicyon.py
@@ -227,6 +227,11 @@ parser.add_argument("--allowNewsFollowers",
                     type=str2bool, nargs='?',
                     const=True, default=False,
                     help="Whether to allow the news account to be followed")
+parser.add_argument("--iconsAsButtons",
+                    dest='iconsAsButtons',
+                    type=str2bool, nargs='?',
+                    const=True, default=False,
+                    help="Show header icons as buttons")
 parser.add_argument("--noapproval", type=str2bool, nargs='?',
                     const=True, default=False,
                     help="Allow followers without approval")
@@ -2003,6 +2008,11 @@ showPublishAsIcon = \
 if showPublishAsIcon is not None:
     args.showPublishAsIcon = bool(showPublishAsIcon)
 
+iconsAsButtons = \
+    getConfigParam(baseDir, 'iconsAsButtons')
+if iconsAsButtons is not None:
+    args.iconsAsButtons = bool(iconsAsButtons)
+
 fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader = \
     getConfigParam(baseDir, 'fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader')
 if fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader is not None:
@@ -2021,7 +2031,8 @@ if setTheme(baseDir, themeName, domain):
     print('Theme set to ' + themeName)
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    runDaemon(args.fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+    runDaemon(args.iconsAsButtons,
+              args.fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
               args.showPublishAsIcon,
               args.maxFollowers,
               args.allowNewsFollowers,
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 2f45f44e2..a873d4576 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ def createServerAlice(path: str, domain: str, port: int,
     onionDomain = None
     i2pDomain = None
     print('Server running: Alice')
-    runDaemon(False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False,
+    runDaemon(False, False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False,
               0, False, 1, False, False, False,
               5, True, True, 'en', __version__,
               "instanceId", False, path, domain,
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ def createServerBob(path: str, domain: str, port: int,
     onionDomain = None
     i2pDomain = None
     print('Server running: Bob')
-    runDaemon(False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False, 0,
+    runDaemon(False, False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False, 0,
               False, 1, False, False, False,
               5, True, True, 'en', __version__,
               "instanceId", False, path, domain,
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ def createServerEve(path: str, domain: str, port: int, federationList: [],
     onionDomain = None
     i2pDomain = None
     print('Server running: Eve')
-    runDaemon(False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False, 0,
+    runDaemon(False, False, True, 10, False, 0, 100, 1024, 5, False, 0,
               False, 1, False, False, False,
               5, True, True, 'en', __version__,
               "instanceId", False, path, domain,
diff --git a/theme.py b/theme.py
index 891d9ed9c..301fc97ce 100644
--- a/theme.py
+++ b/theme.py
@@ -54,6 +54,20 @@ def setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir: str, useIcon: bool) -> bool:
     return saveJson(configJson, configFilename)
 
 
+def setIconsAsButtons(baseDir: str, useButtons: bool) -> bool:
+    """Whether to show icons in the header (inbox, outbox, etc)
+    as buttons
+    """
+    configFilename = baseDir + '/config.json'
+    if not os.path.isfile(configFilename):
+        return False
+    configJson = loadJson(configFilename, 0)
+    if not configJson:
+        return False
+    configJson['iconsAsButtons'] = useButtons
+    return saveJson(configJson, configFilename)
+
+
 def setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir: str, fullWidth: bool) -> bool:
     """Shows the timeline button header containing inbox, outbox,
     calendar, etc as full width
@@ -261,6 +275,7 @@ def setThemeDefault(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     bgParams = {
         "login": "jpg",
         "follow": "jpg",
@@ -279,6 +294,7 @@ def setThemeIndymediaClassic(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, False)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, True)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     bgParams = {
         "login": "jpg",
         "follow": "jpg",
@@ -360,6 +376,7 @@ def setThemeBlue(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     themeParams = {
         "newswire-date-color": "blue",
         "font-size-header": "22px",
@@ -399,6 +416,7 @@ def setThemeNight(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     fontStr = \
         "url('./fonts/solidaric.woff2') format('woff2')"
     fontStrItalic = \
@@ -459,6 +477,7 @@ def setThemeStarlight(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     themeParams = {
         "column-left-image-width-mobile": "40vw",
         "line-spacing-newswire": "120%",
@@ -528,6 +547,7 @@ def setThemeHenge(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     themeParams = {
         "column-left-image-width-mobile": "40vw",
         "column-right-image-width-mobile": "40vw",
@@ -592,6 +612,7 @@ def setThemeZen(baseDir: str):
     setThemeInConfig(baseDir, name)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
     themeParams = {
         "main-bg-color": "#5c4e41",
         "column-left-color": "#5c4e41",
@@ -652,6 +673,7 @@ def setThemeHighVis(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemeLCD(baseDir: str):
@@ -732,6 +754,7 @@ def setThemeLCD(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemePurple(baseDir: str):
@@ -795,6 +818,7 @@ def setThemePurple(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemeHacker(baseDir: str):
@@ -855,6 +879,7 @@ def setThemeHacker(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemeLight(baseDir: str):
@@ -916,6 +941,7 @@ def setThemeLight(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemeIndymediaModern(baseDir: str):
@@ -1002,6 +1028,7 @@ def setThemeIndymediaModern(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, False)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, True)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, True)
 
 
 def setThemeSolidaric(baseDir: str):
@@ -1069,6 +1096,7 @@ def setThemeSolidaric(baseDir: str):
     setThemeFromDict(baseDir, name, themeParams, bgParams)
     setNewswirePublishAsIcon(baseDir, True)
     setFullWidthTimelineButtonHeader(baseDir, False)
+    setIconsAsButtons(baseDir, False)
 
 
 def setThemeImages(baseDir: str, name: str) -> None:
diff --git a/translations/ar.json b/translations/ar.json
index 8935e9b25..347c88698 100644
--- a/translations/ar.json
+++ b/translations/ar.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "ينشر",
     "Publish a news article": "انشر مقالة إخبارية",
     "News tagging rules": "قواعد وسم الأخبار",
-    "See instructions": "انظر التعليمات"
+    "See instructions": "انظر التعليمات",
+    "Search": "بحث",
+    "Expand": "وسعت",
+    "Newswire": "نيوزواير",
+    "Links": "الروابط"
 }
diff --git a/translations/ca.json b/translations/ca.json
index 71994ecb4..ebba9e5ef 100644
--- a/translations/ca.json
+++ b/translations/ca.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publica",
     "Publish a news article": "Publicar un article de notícies",
     "News tagging rules": "Regles d'etiquetatge de notícies",
-    "See instructions": "Consulteu les instruccions"
+    "See instructions": "Consulteu les instruccions",
+    "Search": "Cerca",
+    "Expand": "Amplia",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Enllaços"
 }
diff --git a/translations/cy.json b/translations/cy.json
index 472a1bbc5..e3e72859d 100644
--- a/translations/cy.json
+++ b/translations/cy.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Cyhoeddi",
     "Publish a news article": "Cyhoeddi erthygl newyddion",
     "News tagging rules": "Rheolau tagio newyddion",
-    "See instructions": "Gweler y cyfarwyddiadau"
+    "See instructions": "Gweler y cyfarwyddiadau",
+    "Search": "Chwilio",
+    "Expand": "Ehangu",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Dolenni"
 }
diff --git a/translations/de.json b/translations/de.json
index 7a4973e3d..7b673038a 100644
--- a/translations/de.json
+++ b/translations/de.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Veröffentlichen",
     "Publish a news article": "Veröffentlichen Sie einen Nachrichtenartikel",
     "News tagging rules": "Regeln für das Markieren von Nachrichten",
-    "See instructions": "Siehe Anweisungen"
+    "See instructions": "Siehe Anweisungen",
+    "Search": "Suche",
+    "Expand": "Erweitern",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Links"
 }
diff --git a/translations/en.json b/translations/en.json
index 25130fd47..9bf3621e6 100644
--- a/translations/en.json
+++ b/translations/en.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publish",
     "Publish a news article": "Publish a news article",
     "News tagging rules": "News tagging rules",
-    "See instructions": "See instructions"
+    "See instructions": "See instructions",
+    "Search": "Search",
+    "Expand": "Expand",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Links"
 }
diff --git a/translations/es.json b/translations/es.json
index 5b794aa06..c77e95c89 100644
--- a/translations/es.json
+++ b/translations/es.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publicar",
     "Publish a news article": "Publica un artículo de noticias",
     "News tagging rules": "Reglas de etiquetado de noticias",
-    "See instructions": "Vea las instrucciones"
+    "See instructions": "Vea las instrucciones",
+    "Search": "Buscar",
+    "Expand": "Expandir",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Enlaces"
 }
diff --git a/translations/fr.json b/translations/fr.json
index 4c78e7b6c..10fdb90df 100644
--- a/translations/fr.json
+++ b/translations/fr.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publier",
     "Publish a news article": "Publier un article de presse",
     "News tagging rules": "Règles de marquage des actualités",
-    "See instructions": "Voir les instructions"
+    "See instructions": "Voir les instructions",
+    "Search": "Chercher",
+    "Expand": "Développer",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Liens"
 }
diff --git a/translations/ga.json b/translations/ga.json
index 42b58e4c8..c085ea734 100644
--- a/translations/ga.json
+++ b/translations/ga.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Fhoilsiú",
     "Publish a news article": "Foilsigh alt nuachta",
     "News tagging rules": "Rialacha clibeála nuachta",
-    "See instructions": "Féach na treoracha"
+    "See instructions": "Féach na treoracha",
+    "Search": "Cuardaigh",
+    "Expand": "Leathnaigh",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Naisc"
 }
diff --git a/translations/hi.json b/translations/hi.json
index 9bec2ccb7..54a154a58 100644
--- a/translations/hi.json
+++ b/translations/hi.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "प्रकाशित करना",
     "Publish a news article": "एक समाचार लेख प्रकाशित करें",
     "News tagging rules": "समाचार टैगिंग नियम",
-    "See instructions": "निर्देश देखें"
+    "See instructions": "निर्देश देखें",
+    "Search": "खोज",
+    "Expand": "विस्तार",
+    "Newswire": "न्यूज़वायर",
+    "Links": "लिंक"
 }
diff --git a/translations/it.json b/translations/it.json
index 8bb110a01..d86660d6c 100644
--- a/translations/it.json
+++ b/translations/it.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Pubblicare",
     "Publish a news article": "Pubblica un articolo di notizie",
     "News tagging rules": "Regole di tagging delle notizie",
-    "See instructions": "Vedere le istruzioni"
+    "See instructions": "Vedere le istruzioni",
+    "Search": "Ricerca",
+    "Expand": "Espandere",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Collegamenti"
 }
diff --git a/translations/ja.json b/translations/ja.json
index 45b90b573..537e9deea 100644
--- a/translations/ja.json
+++ b/translations/ja.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "公開する",
     "Publish a news article": "ニュース記事を公開する",
     "News tagging rules": "ニュースのタグ付けルール",
-    "See instructions": "手順を参照してください"
+    "See instructions": "手順を参照してください",
+    "Search": "探す",
+    "Expand": "展開",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "リンク"
 }
diff --git a/translations/oc.json b/translations/oc.json
index f67af022e..693a2d357 100644
--- a/translations/oc.json
+++ b/translations/oc.json
@@ -311,5 +311,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publish",
     "Publish a news article": "Publish a news article",
     "News tagging rules": "News tagging rules",
-    "See instructions": "See instructions"
+    "See instructions": "See instructions",
+    "Search": "Search",
+    "Expand": "Expand",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Links"
 }
diff --git a/translations/pt.json b/translations/pt.json
index e3280b6d9..42adf4832 100644
--- a/translations/pt.json
+++ b/translations/pt.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Publicar",
     "Publish a news article": "Publique um artigo de notícias",
     "News tagging rules": "Regras de marcação de notícias",
-    "See instructions": "Veja as instruções"
+    "See instructions": "Veja as instruções",
+    "Search": "Pesquisa",
+    "Expand": "Expandir",
+    "Newswire": "Newswire",
+    "Links": "Links"
 }
diff --git a/translations/ru.json b/translations/ru.json
index 33eb0805b..e84af4863 100644
--- a/translations/ru.json
+++ b/translations/ru.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "Публиковать",
     "Publish a news article": "Опубликовать новостную статью",
     "News tagging rules": "Правила тегирования новостей",
-    "See instructions": "См. Инструкции"
+    "See instructions": "См. Инструкции",
+    "Search": "Поиск",
+    "Expand": "Развернуть",
+    "Newswire": "Лента новостей",
+    "Links": "Ссылки"
 }
diff --git a/translations/zh.json b/translations/zh.json
index 57d8b21e0..0a21c792d 100644
--- a/translations/zh.json
+++ b/translations/zh.json
@@ -315,5 +315,9 @@
     "Publish": "发布",
     "Publish a news article": "发布新闻文章",
     "News tagging rules": "新闻标记规则",
-    "See instructions": "见说明"
+    "See instructions": "见说明",
+    "Search": "搜索",
+    "Expand": "扩大",
+    "Newswire": "新闻专线",
+    "Links": "链接"
 }
diff --git a/webinterface.py b/webinterface.py
index d655260da..2ef6f820a 100644
--- a/webinterface.py
+++ b/webinterface.py
@@ -5944,7 +5944,8 @@ def getTimelineButtonHeader(defaultTimeline: str,
                             newCalendarEvent: bool,
                             calendarPath: str,
                             calendarImage: str,
-                            followApprovals: str) -> str:
+                            followApprovals: str,
+                            iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Returns the header at the top of the timeline, containing
     buttons for inbox, outbox, search, calendar, etc
     """
@@ -6073,13 +6074,20 @@ def getTimelineButtonHeader(defaultTimeline: str,
                     '/calendar"><button class="buttonevent">' + \
                     translate['Happening This Week'] + '</button></a>\n'
 
-    # the search button
-    tlStr += \
-        '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + usersPath + \
-        '/search"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + \
-        iconsDir + '/search.png" title="' + \
-        translate['Search and follow'] + '" alt="| ' + \
-        translate['Search and follow'] + '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    if not iconsAsButtons:
+        # the search button
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + usersPath + \
+            '/search"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + \
+            iconsDir + '/search.png" title="' + \
+            translate['Search and follow'] + '" alt="| ' + \
+            translate['Search and follow'] + '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    else:
+        tlStr += \
+            '      <a href="' + usersPath + \
+            '/search"><button class="button">' + \
+            '<span>' + translate['Search'] + \
+            '</span></button></a>\n'
 
     # benchmark 5
     timeDiff = int((time.time() - timelineStartTime) * 1000)
@@ -6091,37 +6099,68 @@ def getTimelineButtonHeader(defaultTimeline: str,
     if newCalendarEvent:
         # indicate that the calendar icon is highlighted
         calendarAltText = '*' + calendarAltText + '*'
-    tlStr += \
-        '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + usersPath + calendarPath + \
-        '"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + '/' + \
-        calendarImage + '" title="' + translate['Calendar'] + \
-        '" alt="| ' + calendarAltText + '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    if not iconsAsButtons:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + \
+            usersPath + calendarPath + \
+            '"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + '/' + \
+            calendarImage + '" title="' + translate['Calendar'] + \
+            '" alt="| ' + calendarAltText + \
+            '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    else:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a href="' + usersPath + calendarPath + \
+            '"><button class="button">' + \
+            '<span>' + translate['Calendar'] + \
+            '</span></button></a>\n'
 
     # the show/hide button, for a simpler header appearance
-    tlStr += \
-        '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + usersPath + '/minimal' + \
-        '"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
-        '/showhide.png" title="' + translate['Show/Hide Buttons'] + \
-        '" alt="| ' + translate['Show/Hide Buttons'] + \
-        '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    if not iconsAsButtons:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a class="imageAnchor" href="' + \
+            usersPath + '/minimal' + \
+            '"><img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
+            '/showhide.png" title="' + translate['Show/Hide Buttons'] + \
+            '" alt="| ' + translate['Show/Hide Buttons'] + \
+            '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    else:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a href="' + usersPath + '/minimal' + \
+            '"><button class="button">' + \
+            '<span>' + translate['Expand'] + \
+            '</span></button></a>\n'
 
     # the newswire button to show right column links
-    tlStr += \
-        '        <a class="imageAnchorMobile" href="' + \
-        usersPath + '/newswiremobile">' + \
-        '<img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
-        '/newswire.png" title="' + translate['News'] + \
-        '" alt="| ' + translate['News'] + \
-        '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    if not iconsAsButtons:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a class="imageAnchorMobile" href="' + \
+            usersPath + '/newswiremobile">' + \
+            '<img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
+            '/newswire.png" title="' + translate['News'] + \
+            '" alt="| ' + translate['News'] + \
+            '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    else:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a href="' + usersPath + '/newswiremobile' + \
+            '"><button class="button">' + \
+            '<span>' + translate['Newswire'] + \
+            '</span></button></a>\n'
 
     # the links button to show left column links
-    tlStr += \
-        '        <a class="imageAnchorMobile" href="' + \
-        usersPath + '/linksmobile">' + \
-        '<img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
-        '/links.png" title="' + translate['Edit Links'] + \
-        '" alt="| ' + translate['Edit Links'] + \
-        '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    if not iconsAsButtons:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a class="imageAnchorMobile" href="' + \
+            usersPath + '/linksmobile">' + \
+            '<img loading="lazy" src="/' + iconsDir + \
+            '/links.png" title="' + translate['Edit Links'] + \
+            '" alt="| ' + translate['Edit Links'] + \
+            '" class="timelineicon"/></a>\n'
+    else:
+        tlStr += \
+            '        <a href="' + usersPath + '/linksmobile' + \
+            '"><button class="button">' + \
+            '<span>' + translate['Links'] + \
+            '</span></button></a>\n'
 
     tlStr += followApprovals
     # end of the button header with inbox, outbox, etc
@@ -6145,7 +6184,8 @@ def htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline: str,
                  editor: bool,
                  positiveVoting: bool,
                  showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                 fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                 fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                 iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the timeline as html
     """
     timelineStartTime = time.time()
@@ -6430,7 +6470,8 @@ def htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline: str,
                                     newPostButtonStr, baseDir, nickname,
                                     domain, iconsDir, timelineStartTime,
                                     newCalendarEvent, calendarPath,
-                                    calendarImage, followApprovals)
+                                    calendarImage, followApprovals,
+                                    iconsAsButtons)
 
     # start the timeline
     tlStr += '<table class="timeline">\n'
@@ -6469,7 +6510,8 @@ def htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline: str,
                                     newPostButtonStr, baseDir, nickname,
                                     domain, iconsDir, timelineStartTime,
                                     newCalendarEvent, calendarPath,
-                                    calendarImage, followApprovals)
+                                    calendarImage, followApprovals,
+                                    iconsAsButtons)
 
     # second row of buttons for moderator actions
     if moderator and boxName == 'moderation':
@@ -6682,7 +6724,8 @@ def htmlShares(defaultTimeline: str,
                showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+               iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the shares timeline as html
     """
     manuallyApproveFollowers = \
@@ -6698,7 +6741,8 @@ def htmlShares(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInbox(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6712,7 +6756,8 @@ def htmlInbox(defaultTimeline: str,
               showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
               newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
               showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-              fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+              fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+              iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the inbox as html
     """
     manuallyApproveFollowers = \
@@ -6728,7 +6773,8 @@ def htmlInbox(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlBookmarks(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6742,7 +6788,8 @@ def htmlBookmarks(defaultTimeline: str,
                   showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                   newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                   showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                  fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                  fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                  iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the bookmarks as html
     """
     manuallyApproveFollowers = \
@@ -6758,7 +6805,8 @@ def htmlBookmarks(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlEvents(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6772,7 +6820,8 @@ def htmlEvents(defaultTimeline: str,
                showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+               iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the events as html
     """
     manuallyApproveFollowers = \
@@ -6788,7 +6837,8 @@ def htmlEvents(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInboxDMs(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6802,7 +6852,8 @@ def htmlInboxDMs(defaultTimeline: str,
                  showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                  newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                  showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                 fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                 fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                 iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the DM timeline as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6813,7 +6864,8 @@ def htmlInboxDMs(defaultTimeline: str,
                         YTReplacementDomain, showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False, positiveVoting,
                         showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInboxReplies(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6827,7 +6879,8 @@ def htmlInboxReplies(defaultTimeline: str,
                      showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                      newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                      showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                     fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                     fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                     iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the replies timeline as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6839,7 +6892,8 @@ def htmlInboxReplies(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInboxMedia(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6853,7 +6907,8 @@ def htmlInboxMedia(defaultTimeline: str,
                    showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                    newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                    showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                   iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the media timeline as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6865,7 +6920,8 @@ def htmlInboxMedia(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInboxBlogs(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6879,7 +6935,8 @@ def htmlInboxBlogs(defaultTimeline: str,
                    showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                    newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                    showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                   iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the blogs timeline as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6891,7 +6948,8 @@ def htmlInboxBlogs(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlInboxNews(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6905,7 +6963,8 @@ def htmlInboxNews(defaultTimeline: str,
                   showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                   newswire: {}, moderator: bool, editor: bool,
                   positiveVoting: bool, showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                  fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                  fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                  iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the news timeline as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6917,7 +6976,8 @@ def htmlInboxNews(defaultTimeline: str,
                         showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, moderator, editor,
                         positiveVoting, showPublishAsIcon,
-                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlModeration(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6931,7 +6991,8 @@ def htmlModeration(defaultTimeline: str,
                    showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                    newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                    showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+                   fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+                   iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the moderation feed as html
     """
     return htmlTimeline(defaultTimeline, recentPostsCache, maxRecentPosts,
@@ -6941,7 +7002,8 @@ def htmlModeration(defaultTimeline: str,
                         allowDeletion, httpPrefix, projectVersion, True, False,
                         YTReplacementDomain, showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False, positiveVoting,
-                        showPublishAsIcon, fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        showPublishAsIcon, fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlOutbox(defaultTimeline: str,
@@ -6955,7 +7017,8 @@ def htmlOutbox(defaultTimeline: str,
                showPublishedDateOnly: bool,
                newswire: {}, positiveVoting: bool,
                showPublishAsIcon: bool,
-               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool) -> str:
+               fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader: bool,
+               iconsAsButtons: bool) -> str:
     """Show the Outbox as html
     """
     manuallyApproveFollowers = \
@@ -6968,7 +7031,8 @@ def htmlOutbox(defaultTimeline: str,
                         manuallyApproveFollowers, minimal,
                         YTReplacementDomain, showPublishedDateOnly,
                         newswire, False, False, positiveVoting,
-                        showPublishAsIcon, fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader)
+                        showPublishAsIcon, fullWidthTimelineButtonHeader,
+                        iconsAsButtons)
 
 
 def htmlIndividualPost(recentPostsCache: {}, maxRecentPosts: int,