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Just like the Spy pulling a fast one over on the Sniper for this week's Team Fortress 2 update, I'm not going to be profiling a list of freeware applications this time around. Nope. Not a single program. I'm going meta with this update. Instead of tossing a list of superior apps your way, I'm going to give you a list of the top five Firefox extensions that will take your power downloading to untold heights of awesomeness.
Now what does that entail?
Are you sick of having to sort through your expanding download directory just to find and organize the new files you've picked up? Boom. There's an add-on for that. Does it frustrate you every time you have to wait for a countdown on one of the free file hosts before you can grab the file you want? Oh-ho-ho: There's an add-on for that as well! Do you hate the very act of clicking on multiple links on a page to download files? You might be a little lazy on that one, but no hate here. Yes, there's an application to make even this most-mundane of tasks easier.
If you aren't using Firefox, well, I can't say much to that. But check out this list anyway -- I bet you'll be tempted to switch over once you realize all the additional functionality you can pack into this foxy browser.
What it does: The Alpha and the Omega of downloading extensions, DownThemAll! is as simple to use as its name implies. When you activate this add-on for a page you're surfing, DownThemAll gives you a list of every potential downloadable item on the page--everything from ZIP archives to JPEG images. You can grab the entire page's contents and dump them in a folder, or you can selectively filter for only the file extensions that you're actually interested in. Never before has pilfering the entire contents of a Web site been quite so easy.
Download it here!
What it does: Remember Download Mover? Automatic Save Folder is the Firefox equivalent of this handy application, which allows you to specify preset download locations for files based on parameters you create. Want to automatically stash your MP3 downloads in your media player's directory so the program can scoop up your new hits? Want to separate out your BitTorrent metainfo files into a separate directory so your client of choice can auto-load them the next time you start the app? Want to stash all the pictures you download into a hidden directory, far away from prying eyes? These are all achievable scenarios with Automatic Save Folder--give it a shot!
Download it here!
What it does: There are a number of online file hosts that let you store anything you want on their free servers. The downside being that each site usually has some lengthy (and annoying) process when you or your friends want to download your stuff onto your desktop or laptop. Frequently, you're required to wait a specific amount of time between clicking the download link and the download actually going through -- unless you want to pony up for a site's no-timer "premium" service. The heck with that. SkipScreen pushes you past these annoyances and takes you right to the files you're looking for, no questions asked.
Download it here!
What it does: Tired of refreshing your favorite file-sharing sites just to see the latest and greatest (free and legal) things for you to download? Check4Change automatically refreshes the contents of any Web page based on a time interval you specify. If the particular site changes upon the refresh, Check4Change can alert you with dancing text letters in the specific tab title, or both pop-up and sound notifications. Take that, RSS feeds.
Download it here!
What it does: Nothing's more embarrassing than having your significant other discover just how deep your Internet obsessions go. Whether you're addicted to CounterStrike maps, freeware updates (yeah!), or Pokemon pictures, you're going to want a way to clear your tracks once you've finished that epic, all-day download binge. But wait, you say! If you clear your cache and history the normal way, you'll lose all the important, non-file-related sites that you've been surfing as well! Have no fear. Close'n forget allows you to wipe your hard drive clean of the evidence for a single Web domain at a time. Your better half will never know just how many programs you've downloaded from SourceForge -- and maybe that's for the better.
Download it here!
Comments are closed on this article
perldev
May 19, 2009 at 6:10am
Even AdBlock, NoScript, Firegesture, Google Notebook are not mentioned
TheMurph
May 19, 2009 at 2:36pm
Fine add-ons, but they don't really relate as well to the topic at hand -- power-downloading -- as those on the list.
compro01
May 19, 2009 at 9:30am
Everyone and their mother already knows about adblock and noscript, so I don't really think they need mentioning.
visibly_stealthy
May 18, 2009 at 3:41pm
Hmm, doesn't firefox already have private browsing or whatever for this function?
In the hands of a master, any object can become a field improvised, lethal weapon.
MAXPCreader07
May 18, 2009 at 8:06am
What about FlashGot? Its a great extension to grab files/videos and send them to your download manager.
knexkid
May 18, 2009 at 5:43am
Wow, SkipScreen is by far my newest favorite extension. It just save me a ton of money on my car insurance! Thanks!
dannzeman
May 18, 2009 at 4:22am
Great job on some very useful extensions. I've been using DTA for a long time. It works great downloading long lists of mp3s.
SkipScreen is great! I installed it right after reading the article. Keep up the good work Murphy!
smashingpumpin
May 17, 2009 at 11:27pm
Kewl, looks like one could use most of 'em for Pron itself lol. Especially SkipScreen! Tnx a bunch Dave! :)
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he's pwning with a trackpad? oh really? oh reheheheeally?
Saiyan Monkey
May 18, 2009 at 1:23am
Hmmm, it would seem someone else's trousers are soggy now, only for different reasons than my own...
Seriously though, thanx for the info Murph—can I call you Murph?—I'd actually been considering Down Them All for bit, so the extra info helped me make up my damned mind (quite a feat at times let me tell ya). Keep 'em coming and all that!
TheMurph
May 18, 2009 at 12:06am
No problem. Uh. Glad to help your downloading habits... whatever they may be. :D
smashingpumpin
May 18, 2009 at 5:24pm
lol, no comment.
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he's pwning with a trackpad? oh really? oh reheheheeally?
