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04/12/2007
This month instead of a single piece of featured software, I wanted to bring to light a
collection of add-ons to the already immensely useful web browser Firefox. Some of these I have
already mentioned elsewhere in the site, but most of them are brand new. While I would not recommend
using all of these extensions at the same time, especially ones that accomplish the same task. All of these
extensions will enhance your browsing experience. I present them here in alphabetical order, not the order I
recommend using them.
1. Adblock Plus
Lets face it, Firefox does about as good or maybe just a slightly better job at blocking those irritating Pop-Ups
than Internet Explorer does, which isn't saying much. Obviously their Pop-Up blocking skills could both use some work.
Now you could use some expensive resource hogging Third-Party software to block them, or you could just use Adblock Plus
which is free. Adblock Plus does an excellent job of killing the Pop-Ups in Firefox. Their latest version is so good
that I have not seen a Pop-Up Ad in almost 2 months. This doesn't stop all the ads that are built into the web pages,
though in the new version, it is starting to block those too, you have the option of manually blocking an advertisement
by right clicking on it and selecting Adblock Image. I highly recommend this very handy tool.
2. Adblock Filterset.G Updater
This is the companion piece to Adblock Plus. Adblock works using a file that contains a huge list of known Advertisements;
this program allows you to Automatically Update the filter list from an ever growing list of databases. Staying up to
date without having to think about it, it is a marvelous thing.
3. Download Modification Tweak
The Download Manager on Firefox is terrible. It looks as if someone just threw it together at the last minute and didn’t
really care. However, there is a solution to this problem. With the Download Modification Tweak, you can gain a little bit
of functionality. This extension clean ups the interface a little bit and adds a pause button. While you still don’t get
Opera-like functionality from your download manager, the added pause feature is very helpful.
4. Fasterfox
This extension automatically tweaks your Firefox settings for optimal browsing performance. It also allows for prefetching
so that links you may visit load faster. Just be aware that using the prefetching feature does increase network bandwidth
usage. While I have seen a little bit of performance increase with this extension, it really shines when you view lots of
pictures through the web. With the prefetching feature enabled, I was able to see a definite decrease in
the loading time.
5. Flashblock
This extension blocks all those flash animations that automatically start playing when you are browsing on the web.
If it is an animation that you want to see, all you have to do is click on it and it will play the animation. While it
does not work 100% of the time, it does work well enough for me to recommend it. This is especially useful for those
annoying Myspace profiles that automatically play music and videos when you visit them. I find this is the perfect
solution so the music I am listening to does not get interrupted.
6. Forecastfox
This is more of a novelty extension than a useful one. This extension displays the current weather as well as
weather forecasts out several days. It also shows radar with the current weather as well as severe weather warnings.
While in browsing terms, this does not do anything except replace your need to visit the local weather website to plan
what to wear today, it is a much better option than that irritating weather bug program that so many people insist on
installing.
7. FoxyTunes
This extension is top notch. It puts your controls for over 25 different media players right in your web browser. The full
functionality in your browser allows you to free up screen space that would otherwise be taken up by your media player and
more manage your desktop. Also, it now includes quick searching features right in Firefox to find album art, lyrics, and more
about your music. I highly recommend this extension.
8. KeyScrambler Personal
This very unobtrusive extension will encrypt your usernames and passwords at the kernel driver level of your computer
to prevent keyloggers from stealing your personal information. Using this extension, any keyloggers that might possibly
be on your computer, can only record the encrypted keystrokes, thus providing a much safer browsing experience. I highly
recommend this for anyone who does online banking, shops online, or does anything where they have to log in to a website
on the internet. However, be forewarned, this does install a small program on your computer so that it can actually encrypt
the data. The downside to this program is that it can be kind of annoying because by default it shows you that it is
encrypting your text every time you type. You can turn off this notification by disabling the overlay window in the
options. You will definitely feel safer with this extension installed.
9. Live Pagerank
This extension is useful for those who like to pay attention to Google Pagerank. This very simple extension displays
each pages ranking on Google using the 1-10 scale and is very useful for those who want to know where their webpage stands
in the grand scheme of Google.
10. McAfee Site Advisor
This puts a little bar down in the lower right hand corner of your browser. It changes color depending on the safety of
the site according to McAfee. Green meaning the site is safe and you aren't likely to pick up a Trojan and Red meaning you
had better watch what you download because this site has been known to host Trojans and other malicious things.
Additionally when you search with either Google, MSN, or Yahoo! It will display the safety rating next to each link before
you click on them.
11. NoScript
One of PC Worlds top 100 Best Products of 2006, this extension preemptively blocks scripts from executing in your browser
to enhance security in your browser without losing functionality. If you need the script enabled, it can be easily done by
left clicking the status bar icon. This extension will definitely enhance the security of your browsing experience.
12. QuickJava
Like NoScript, this is a JavaScript blocker. While not as extensive as NoScript, it is aimed at those who would prefer
to have a simpler to use interface and easier controls while still enjoying the added security to their browser.
13. Tab Catalog
This is like the new Quick Tabs feature in IE7. When you hover your mouse over the icon, it displays previews of all the
tabs you have opened in Firefox. It doesn’t matter if you have multiple windows open, it will display all the tabs for
all the Firefox windows. This allows for easier navigation when you have lots of tabs and windows open. I use this
extension all the tab as it is very useful.
14. Tab Effect
This is a fun extension that has no use whatsoever except to add eye candy to Firefox. When installed, this will add a
rotating cube affect to Firefox whenever you switch tabs. Although Firefox runs a little slower with this,
you can use it impress your friends.
15. Unplug
You can use this extension to download those embedded videos from YouTube and Myspace where no downloading is
allowed. While this does not work very well with embedded flash videos, you can use it to download most embedded videos
that are in standard formats.
Bonus Extension
16. Tabbrowser Preferences
While this extension is not very useful anymore with the latest versions of Firefox, it works well for those of you still
using Firefox 1.5. This makes it so that when you click a link, it opens up in a new tab instead of a new window.