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I can't deny it, the last twelve months have seen big changes for web browsers--Microsoft released IE7, Apple released Safari for Windows, and Opera is... well, doing Opera-tic stuff. But, frankly, I don't care. The kids over at Mozilla have earned my support and affection by making their browser extensible. By letting normal folks add more functionality to an already awesome browser, they've locked in my support. Sure, Safari might be a few fractions of a second faster loading pages, but I'm not going to give up the added functionality that Firefox's rich add-on ecology empowers me with.
I love to ask people who are hardcore web browsers what add-ons they've used to extend Firefox's functionality, but it occurs to me that I've never shared the stuff that I use every day. Some are useful, some save me a little time, and some are just plain cool. Enjoy!
This little add-on from the code wizards at Mozilla is about half user-interface design, and half flair. ChromaTabs changes the colors of different tabs based on the URL of the site. So, if you have multiple tabs open from a single site, you can immediately tell which sites are which based on the background color of the tab.
It's always a special occasion when I find a software widget that improves the quality of my life. The first time I installed the del.icio.us Bookmarks plugin for Firefox was one such time. You see, instead of a clunky old flat file text file storing all my bookmarks, this plugin uses the del.icio.us service to sync my bookmarks with all my PCs, and share them with the world!
I'm the web designer equivalent of a shade-tree mechanic, at least when it comes to web design. I know just enough to noodle around with a site's design until it looks like I want it to, but my best work is purely a result of trial and error. I make some changes to CSS and HTML to see what will happen, because I'm never 100% sure when I get started. Firebug lets me muck around with live website code from within my browser, without any risk to the site. It also includes tools to help reverse engineer site designs, letting you label and identify divs, spans, and other HTML constructs.
Comments are closed on this article
ghot
April 26, 2008 at 5:58am
There are only two Firefox extensions worth even the free price tag.....Fatser Fox and Ad block Plus. Other than these, one can tweak Firefox to do almost anything with the about: config....nuff said!
Shalbatana
September 07, 2007 at 8:20am
How about an add-on that let's you say...print out a really great post on Maximum PC's website without all the colorful ads and junk.
Better yet, how about a "printer friendly" option on Max PC's articles?
This is great, thanks.
dchampion
September 04, 2007 at 10:38am
My favorite extension by far is StumbleUpon. I have found no better way to kill hours at work on a slow afternoon, or just to find webpages that I would never have found otherwise.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/
Pillowfight
August 18, 2007 at 2:51pm
I'm surprised BugMeNot wasn't on the list! I have a list of my favorites here, with descriptions:
http://slolane.org/2007/04/firefoxaddons.html
Cache
August 05, 2007 at 6:44pm
I routinely end up using DownThemAll! as a regular part of my FF browsing, and find that it is essential for those of us who frequent imageboards, and download sites. Aside from automatically downloading as many pictures/links/mp3's as you'd like at a time, it also allows for simultaneous downloads as defined by the user.
Another--and essential--rogram is Morning Coffee. I click one button on the desktop each morning and it automatically loads everything I want to check. It allows for any mix of days (MWF, M-F, every day, etc.) and if you have a lot of comics, webpages, and whatnot that you just have to check first thing in the morning--morning coffee is the program you must download.
dave4buds
July 22, 2007 at 10:58am
I use Google browser sync. i always have my bookmarks and preferences every where i go. Trashmail is also a must. If a website requires an email address i just right click and "paste a disposable address". i set how long the email is active and how many forwards it will do. then its gone with no trace back to my real address.
NoN-XiStEnT
dave.non.xistent@gmail.com
myspace.com/non_xistent
EarthBoundMisfit
July 08, 2007 at 12:02am
Registered Linux User #404122
Microsoft has encountered a critical system error and must now shut down. Better get Bill Gate$ on the phone for this one.......
[img]http//i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/NunofyaBidness/404122.png[/img]I always install the User-Agent Switcher.
That way whenever I encounter a page that insists on you viewing it in Internet Explorer...I am like a boy-scout...always prepared.
I also like having Fore-cast Fox installed.
Can't plan a picnic without knowing what the weather is going to be.
I also use Media Connectivity plug-in.
A useful ap for configuring which of your media players will handle a streaming media etc etc.
Finally...if you like texting...but you're outta minutes...try using WataCrackaz AutoSMS. All you need to know is the number and the service that your textee subscribes to. Its free to text...altho a bit more pricey to recieve that text. )My service with Cingular charges 20cents for a text with it(
Glenn Condrey
zine team279
July 06, 2007 at 5:09pm
Grab Fasterfox from here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1269
bholstege
July 04, 2007 at 4:25pm
I use keyscrambler personal. It does a driver level encryption of your key strokes when typing in a password, in order to fool key loggers.
Also QuickJava. Its similar to Noscript, but less intrusive.
soggybomb
July 04, 2007 at 1:59pm
Try AdBlock Plus and Fasterfox too. Adblock plus nukes all online ads, and subsequently decreases loading time. Fasterfox is just a collection of nextwork tweaks that improve speed in general.
The Macmyster
July 06, 2007 at 1:56pm
I tried installing fasterfox, and it said it wasn't compatiable with firefox 2.0 +
I clicked on the fasterfox 2.0 version, where it said it added support...
