Back when I was writing for the now-defunct CSS Insider, I made a list of
Firefox extensions I couldn't live without. And I stand by that list! However, those extensions were all related to web development. Now that I'm writing for Download Squad, it's time to expand the list. Here are just a few more extensions that make my life easier:
- Fasterfox - This extension is all about letting us get that instant gratification even more quickly. In addition to allowing you to tweak network and cache settings, it also includes the handy feature of blocking pop-ups initiated by Flash plug-ins.
- Colorful Tabs - You might think this one is purely aesthetic. And for some people, maybe it is. But for me, as someone who often has lots of tabs open at once, the colors make it much easier to differentiate the tabs. Additionally, the title of the currently "active" tab is shown in bold.
- Restart Firefox - Ah, simple brilliance. It seems like such a minor thing, but having "Restart Firefox" in the File menu really does make a difference. Think of all the clicks I'm saving! Prevent repetitive stress disorder, with Restart Firefox.
- WebmailCompose - These days, I use Gmail. And until I found this extension, I would get so annoyed whenever I inadvertently clicked a mailto: link and Apple Mail launched. WebmailCompose makes mailto: links open a compose window in your webmail program.
- User Agent Switcher - Fortunately, the number of sites that just refuse to work in certain browsers is dwindling. But they're still out there - in particular, some bank sites and real estate sites. User Agent Switcher will alleviate your frustration if you encounter such a situation. (For example, it's how I was able to view Microsoft's beta site without Internet Explorer.)
- del.ico.us - The del.icio.us Firefox extension makes tagging easier than ever. As a result, my del.icio.us bookmarks have now gotten a little out of hand, but what can you do.
At this point, you're probably thinking, "Geez, she has a
ton of extensions installed!" And it's true. But after coming this far, I can't imagine ever going back.
Tags: browsertips, extensions, Firefox, Firefox extensions, FirefoxExtensions
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Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsGarrettSep 1st 2006 4:39PM
I know your audience could probably absolutely fill this space with their own personal (heh) additions to this list. I'll dive headfirst into that cliche to mention Adblock and Adblock Plus. They both allow you to completely remove ads from the sites you visit based on some intelligent wildcarding. Works on Flash ads and iframes, too!
AnonymousSep 2nd 2006 12:04AM
Regarding WebmailCompose ... The Google Toolbar for Firefox has an option called Send with Gmail (If you're a Gmail user, the Google Toolbar can set Gmail as your default email program. Once you've done this, clicking on an email link will automatically open a Gmail Compose page.) that does the sames thing.
Roger HilesSep 2nd 2006 12:06AM
WebmailCompose sounds good, but it looks like it's not compatible with versions of Firefox later than 1.4, even though version (0.6.5) is supposed to be.
QwfwqSep 2nd 2006 12:07AM
Not sure if anyone cares but let me suggest some extensions that I find useful:
- Download Statusbar, a download manager replacement that stays tidily tuck away in the statusbar.
- Enhanced Bookmark Search and Locate in Bookmark Folders, my Bookmarks collection has grown to a point that I no longer can just browse for an entry so I'm thankful for the much needed improvements that these extensions bring to Firefox's search.
- Tab Mix Plus, enhanced tab options, too many to describe.
- Gmail Manager, I use it instead of the GMail notifier because it allows me to manage more han one account.
- IE Tab, which has the advantage over IE View of opening a new page in IE in a tab inside Firefox.
- Reveal, in my opinion the best tab thumbnailer (not really sure if that's how it's called, but its the best regardless). Creates thumbnails of the tabbed pages and the history (trés cool)
- Linkification, I'm too lazy to copy/paste those text links that are not hyperlinked so I just use this extension to convert them into genuine clickable links.
- Hyperwords(tm), again, I find it too much of a burden to lift my hand from the mouse so I just select text on a page, right click and I search on Google, Wikipedia, Answers.com, Amazon, Ebay, Google and Yahoo Maps, etc, blog the selection, email it, tag it into one of numerous social bookmarks services and a lot of other actions. Until voice recognition is adopted this is the best extension for lazy people.
earleSep 1st 2006 10:40PM
here are MY 20+ extensions I can't live without,heh,heh
666Sep 1st 2006 10:33PM
I have a feeling AdBlock was left out on purpose given the commercial nature of the website.
I would also add NoScript as well, stop javascript from autorunning. It blocks flash and other ads that require java to display, which AdBlock doesnt.
Amber RheaSep 2nd 2006 12:07AM
Roger,
That's interesting... I'm running Firefox 1.5 and WebmailCompose works fine for me. Hmmm... Did you have problems installing it?
emorySep 2nd 2006 9:03AM
Personally, my absolute favorite extension is the all-in-one sidebar. I adore it. It bundles up my extensions, history, downloads, everything. Plus you can barely see it when it's compressed, just a few pixels wide on the side of the screen. That and favicon picker. I'm a bit of a real-estate addict. I can't stand having things take up my screen. I"ve limited it down to a two toolbar screen. Next to the "file,edit, go bookmarks..." I've got my bookmark toolbar (without words, thakns to favicon picker) and under that I"ve got my new tab, home, back foward, adress bar etc. That's it. It makes a load of difference. If I want to access anything, just click on my sidebar. It's great. :D
nogg3r5Sep 2nd 2006 9:03AM
Thanks to Firefox 2.0 Beta 2 I dont need most of my extensions any more. Undo Close Tab's, Session Saver and Tab mix Plus all seemed a bit pointless. However, some extensions I still have kicking about that I hope will work with FIrefox 2.0:
Down Them All, for mass downloading and multipart downloading.
Fasterfox...obv.
Fire FTP, a slightly unreliable, but good for one or two files FTP client that runs in XUL from within firefox.
FireBug. For debugging websites.
Im sure there are others but they escape me at the moment
CreedoSep 2nd 2006 8:29PM
I cant believe no one has mentioned the "NoScript" extension. that is an absolute necessity!