Monday, June 20, 2011

10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions

Make Firefox the browser you want it to be, with extensions for faster, safer, more efficient browsing.

PCWorld.Com - Using browser extensions is a lot like tricking out your car with a new air spoiler, tinted windows, chrome rims, and big flame decals. Too much junk, and you bog down your ride and look silly. With thousands of Firefox extensions to choose from, the main challenge is finding the right ones--and avoiding the lame ones.

I've rounded up ten of the most useful Firefox add-ons, all of which strike the right balance by increasing performance and saving time. I'll let you worry about whether you should add racing stripes to your Toyota Camry.

Better Browsing Through Extensions

 

10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions  
Evernote


Do you often find things while you're browsing and wish that you could post a sticky note to a website for later reference? The popular web app Evernote has a Firefox extension that makes it easy to create notes for yourself from any part of any web page that you have highlighted. Notes can include text, photos, and even video that will sync to your phone while you're away from your computer.

Greasemonkey


10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions
The Greasemonkey Firefox extension lets you create scripts to do almost anything, from customizing search queries on your browser to embedding music-control buttons into your toolbar to adding Gmail notifications to tabs. Once you've downloaded the extension, you can find tons of great user scripts at sites such as userscripts.org that let you customize websites. A great starter script, Gmail FullScreen, lets you use Google's webmail in full screen instead of in a window.

Xmarks

10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions

If you find yourself switching between your iPhone, your laptop, and your Android tablet on a regular basis, Xmarks just may be the extension for you. The Xmarks service will sync your bookmarks--and even your passwords--between your desktop, your cell phone, and your tablet, along with any other devices you may have. Xmarks will sync your information between browsers, too.

10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions  

Speed Dial


Does your daily surfing routine involve visiting the same five sites every morning? If you have a regular set of favorite bookmarks, you can open them in a flash with Speed Dial. According to the developers, this extension "loads in a tab, and will show thumbnail views of its assigned websites. Those thumbnails will be refreshed automatically in the background."     More