Favorite Firefox Extensions

If you like Open Source software then you have surely heard of whats arguably the best web browser, Mozilla’s Firefox.  I use Firefox exclusively both at home and at work.  The only time I use anything but Firefox is if non-standards compliant web designers takes it upon themselves to create a web page specifically for Internet Explorer.  Normally, I would just not visit said site anymore but unfortunately, there is an application at work that requires all of Internet Explorers’ ActiveX BS.  Personally, I hate it.   

If you already use Firefox then I’m sure you have come to love all the features of what a modern day web browser does and should be.  To be honest with you, any other web browser released, should have all of Firefox’s features and then some if they wish to stand out.  Besides being much more secure than any M$ IE browser, things like, pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, plugin support, and Google.com’s search integration are just a few things that all web browsers should have.  Correction, must have!  Firefox is clean, lean and fast.  It really shines by allowing everyday users to expand the browser via plugins which are also known as extensions in Firefox speak.  

From the Firefox extensions main page:

"Extensions are small add-ons that add new functionality to Firefox. They can add anything from a toolbar button to a completely new feature. They allow the application to be customized to fit the personal needs of each user if they need additional features, while keeping Firefox small to download."

 

Here is a list of all the Firefox extensions that I use in no particular order:

• Auto Copy (http://autocopy.mozdev.org/) – You can select text on any web page and it will be automatically copied to the clipboard. It works in much the same way as does Trillian.
• Adblock (http://adblock.mozdev.org/) – Content filtering plug-in.  I use it to block any and all adds with a simple right click of the mouse.    
• FlashGot (http://www.flashgot.net/) – Puts a "play" button on any flash site.  Prevents the flash movie from playing automatically which is good since most ads now a days use flash to make it harder to block.
• Mouse Gestures (http://optimoz.mozdev.org/gestures/) – Go back or forward a page, switch between tabs, open multiple links at once, control text or image size, and numerous other functions.
• Feedview (https://addons.update.mozilla.org/extensions…) – Have you ever clicked on a url and the XML code was thrown at you?  Well, get this plugin if you want to make all that junk "look" better.Without the extension Firefox just shows the default xml stylesheet
• Web Developer (http://chrispederick.com/work/firefox/webdeveloper/) – This one is catered too, you guessed it, web developers.  Try it and you will see a lot of hidden info on all your favorite web pages.
• Spellbound (http://spellbound.sourceforge.net/) – If you hate opening your word processor and cutting and pasting some text just to spell check it before posting it your favorite forum, then this one is for you.  It will enable you to spell check any text entered into a text box with a simple right-click of the mouse.
• Bugmenot (http://roachfiend.com/archives/2005/02/07/bugmenot/) – Quickly bypass the login of web sites that require registration and/or the collection of personal/demographic information
• Disable Targets For Downloads (http://www.cusser.net/extensions/disabletarget/) – Eliminates a common error incurred by many web masters, which ultimately causes blank windows to be opened when you try to download a binary file.
• TargetAlert (http://www.bolinfest.com/targetalert/) – provides visual cues for the destinations of hyperlinks.
• SessionSaver (http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/sessionsaver) – Remembers loaded tabs and their history items when Firefox is manually closed, then restores the tabs and history items when next started. The saved session can also be manually restored or updated at any later time via the items in the File menu.

NOTE: All the extensions above can be found at the main extension page at https://addons.update.mozilla.org/ext… if you feel like taking the easy route.  I included the homepage only because the main extension repository is a bit slow in updating itself with the latest and greatest version of each plugin.  Usually you can find an updated version at the homepage.

Missing from the list of favorites is ForecastFox (http://forecastfox.mozdev.org/).  Not because I dont like it, but because its not supported under Portable Firefox (http://portablefirefox.mozdev.org/).  I plan on writing about all my portable apps that I have running from my USB key but thats another posting for another day. 

If you have a favorite, share it!