Index: user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/java/org/sakaiproject/user/tool/UserPrefsTool.java
===================================================================
--- user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/java/org/sakaiproject/user/tool/UserPrefsTool.java	(revision 18369)
+++ user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/java/org/sakaiproject/user/tool/UserPrefsTool.java	(working copy)
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@
 
 	/** The string that Charon uses for preferences. */
 	private static final String CHARON_PREFS = "sakai:portal:sitenav";
-
+	
+	
 	/**
 	 * Represents a name value pair in a keyed preferences set.
 	 */
@@ -96,6 +97,7 @@
 
 		/** The value. */
 		protected String m_value = null;
+		
 
 		public KeyNameValue(String key, String name, String value, boolean isList)
 		{
@@ -182,6 +184,8 @@
 				m_value = value;
 			}
 		}
+
+
 	}
 
 	/** The PreferencesEdit being worked on. */
@@ -231,11 +235,42 @@
 	private String userId = "";
 
 	private String SAKAI_LOCALES = "locales";
+	
+	protected int tabCount = 4;
+	
+	
+	protected String tabCountIn = "4";
 
 	// //////////////////////////////// PROPERTY GETTER AND SETTER ////////////////////////////////////////////
 	/**
 	 * @return Returns the ResourceLoader value. Note: workaround for <f:selectItem> element, which doesn't like using the <f:loadBundle> map variable
 	 */
+	
+	
+	public String getTabCountIn() {
+		return tabCountIn;
+	}
+
+	public void setTabCountIn(String tabCountIn) {
+		try{
+			tabCount = Integer.parseInt(tabCountIn);
+		}catch(NumberFormatException e){
+			FacesContext.getCurrentInstance().addMessage(null,
+					new FacesMessage(msgs.getString("tab_count_parse_error")));
+		}
+		this.tabCountIn = Integer.toString(tabCount);
+	}
+	
+	
+	public int getTabCount() {
+		return tabCount;
+	}
+
+	public void setTabCount(String tabCountIn) {
+		
+		this.tabCount = tabCount;
+	}
+	
 	public String getMsgNotiAnn1()
 	{
 		return msgs.getString("noti_ann_1");
@@ -917,11 +952,13 @@
 			String value = (String) item.getValue();
 			oparts += value + ", ";
 		}
+		
+		// check the format of the 
 		// add property name and value for saving
 		m_stuff.add(new KeyNameValue(CHARON_PREFS, "exclude", eparts, true));
 		m_stuff.add(new KeyNameValue(CHARON_PREFS, "order", oparts, true));
 		// TODO tab size is set to 4 by default. i can't set null , not "" as in portal code "" will be number to display on tab
-		// m_stuff.add(new KeyNameValue(CHARON_PREFS, "tabs", "4", false));
+		m_stuff.add(new KeyNameValue(CHARON_PREFS, "tabs", Integer.toString(tabCount), false));
 
 		// save
 		saveEdit();
@@ -1787,4 +1824,6 @@
 	{
 		m_refreshElement = element;
 	}
+
+
 }
Index: user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/bundle/user-tool-prefs.properties
===================================================================
--- user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/bundle/user-tool-prefs.properties	(revision 18369)
+++ user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/bundle/user-tool-prefs.properties	(working copy)
@@ -44,7 +44,10 @@
 tab_move_lone=<
 tab_move_rall=>>
 tab_move_lall=<<
+tab_count_inst=The number of tabs visible in addition to 'My Workspace'
+tab_count_parse_error=Visible Tab Count must be an integer (value was reset)
 
+
 time_inst_1=Please select your local time zone for selected Sakai tools, such as Schedule. You are currently in the 
 time_inst_2=timezone
 				
Index: user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/webapp/prefs/tab.jsp
===================================================================
--- user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/webapp/prefs/tab.jsp	(revision 18369)
+++ user/user-tool-prefs/tool/src/webapp/prefs/tab.jsp	(working copy)
@@ -60,7 +60,12 @@
 				 	  <h:commandLink action="#{UserPrefsTool.processActionMoveUp}" title="#{msgs.tab_move_up}"> <h:graphicImage value="prefs/Up-Arrow.gif"/> </h:commandLink>
 		              <br />
 		              <h:commandLink action="#{UserPrefsTool.processActionMoveDown}" title="#{msgs.tab_move_down}"> <h:graphicImage value="prefs/Down-Arrow.gif"/> </h:commandLink>
-				 	</td>    			  
+				 	</td>    
+				 	<td style="vertical-align: top;">
+				 		<b><h:outputText value="#{msgs.tab_count_inst}"/>:</b>
+    			      
+				 		<h:inputText value="#{UserPrefsTool.tabCountIn}" size="3"/>
+				 	</td>		  
     			  </tr>
 				</table>
 			    <p class="act">