Firefox - what extensions are you using?

[DrewKaree]

I've currently got Firefox 1.0.  I'm wondering what the RSS is, from what I see, it's like a ticker or newsfeed, but can someone explain exactly what it is?

Also, what extensions are you using, and can you give a little description of what it is - some of the descriptions are useless, you're using 'em, so you should be able to describe it pretty well

I'm currently using:

Dictionary Search - highlight a word, right click, and select the dictionary - a definition pops up in another window for you

Down Them All - downloads all of a certain file extension from a website, and you can select from a few different file formats to DL

FlashGot - uses FlashGet within a page to send a download to FlashGet, useful for lots of sites that may be slow to DL from, or sites you just CAN'T DL from their page unless you use FlashGet

Gmail Notifier - notifier for when I get mail in my Gmail account - time it checks the account is customizable so it isn't checking every minute or so - little box pops if I have mail - sits in the bottom of my browser so I can keep an eye on it if I wish

Forecast Fox - uses a feed from weather.com to give me weather stats at the bottom of my browser - can be customizable for day/night, number of days, zip code, whatever

Tiny Url Creator - highlight any URL, right click to bring up the context menu, and you can create a tiny URL for those 5 gazillion character web links - will allow you to copy it to clipboard to paste wherever

WebMail Composer - allows you to use your web-based e-mail service as the default for mailto: links on a webpage.  Allows you to choose from several popular ones, including Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

Download Manager - allows you to set your DL manager in Firefox as a tab, window, or sidebar and customize it in several ways - new extension for me, picked it up yesterday

Map It - allows you to highlight an address and use your favorite online mapping site to find directions or whatever - supports Mapquest, which is all I use, but also uses 4 other sites, in case you don't like Mapquest

Paste n Go - Allows you to simply paste a link into your address bar and eliminates the need to go click "go".  I know, it only eliminates ONE FRIGGEN CLICK! but I've REALLY gotten used to using it, and once you do, you'll enjoy laziness like that.



Those are mine.  I look forward to seeing yours, and your descriptions, in case I misjudged it based on some of the not-so-useful descriptions on the site.

[pointdablame]

I'm currently using....

Image Zoom - amazing extension.. so simple, yet so cool.  You can resize images from within a webpage.... image too small to see, zoom in to get a better idea.  Did someone post a completely huge picture unnecessarily?  Zoom out to 25%.  I love it.

All-In-One Gestures - Mouse gesture extension.  I missed the gesture system of MyIE2/Maxthon when switching to Firefox, and this has proven to be the best gesture extension for Firefox IMHO.  Very discreet and easily customizeable.  I wasnt a fan of the pop up menu things the other gesture extensions had.

MintT (drag + indicator) - allows you to rearrange the order of tabs.  Seemingly insignificant, but actually very handy.

Blank Last - allows you close the last tab so that you have a blank window as your only tab.  Also stops the tab bar from disappearing.  I always have tabs, and like the fact that I can use my gesture to close all tabs, and simply be at a blank tab.

Deepest Sender - Livejournal extension.  Update your Livejournal from withing Firefox.  Very quick, auto login, and not as buggy as the damn LJ site.  Plus, MUCH MUCH faster than the LJ site itself.

FLST (Focus Last Selected Tab) - Just like it sounds... close a tab and it highlights on the last viewed tab as opposed to simply the next on in line.  Nice for when you follow a link to a new tab, get finished with it, and go right back to where you were before.

FoxyTunes - Media player built into FireFox.  Runs a ton of media players.  If you listen to music at all on your computer, get this. No question.. just get it.

JumpLink - gets rid of those "you are visiting a Hotmail link" garbage and things of that nature. 

Super Drag-and-Go - Highlight a link and drag it anywhere on screen and it opens in a new tab.  Works for hyperlinks or simply highlighted text... really handy.

AdBlock - pretty self explanatory. If you use Firefox you should have this. End of story.

Close Tab on Double-Click - another self explanatory one.  Not a big deal, but it comes in handy, especially on a laptop where you don't have a "middle mouse" or "scroll wheel click" to close tabs.

That's all I have right now.  I might have to try some of yours Drew

[Alpha17X]

Rss gives you the news the instant it's posted. The whole point is that you have RSS feeds ...feeding into one thing so you can have all the news delivered to you rather than jumping back and forth between all the sites you get feeds from.

I've currently got Firefox 1.0.  I'm wondering what the RSS is, from what I see, it's like a ticker or newsfeed, but can someone explain exactly what it is?

Also, what extensions are you using, and can you give a little description of what it is - some of the descriptions are useless, you're using 'em, so you should be able to describe it pretty well

I'm currently using:

Dictionary Search - highlight a word, right click, and select the dictionary - a definition pops up in another window for you

Down Them All - downloads all of a certain file extension from a website, and you can select from a few different file formats to DL

FlashGot - uses FlashGet within a page to send a download to FlashGet, useful for lots of sites that may be slow to DL from, or sites you just CAN'T DL from their page unless you use FlashGet

Gmail Notifier - notifier for when I get mail in my Gmail account - time it checks the account is customizable so it isn't checking every minute or so - little box pops if I have mail - sits in the bottom of my browser so I can keep an eye on it if I wish

Forecast Fox - uses a feed from weather.com to give me weather stats at the bottom of my browser - can be customizable for day/night, number of days, zip code, whatever

Tiny Url Creator - highlight any URL, right click to bring up the context menu, and you can create a tiny URL for those 5 gazillion character web links - will allow you to copy it to clipboard to paste wherever

WebMail Composer - allows you to use your web-based e-mail service as the default for mailto: links on a webpage.  Allows you to choose from several popular ones, including Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

Download Manager - allows you to set your DL manager in Firefox as a tab, window, or sidebar and customize it in several ways - new extension for me, picked it up yesterday

Map It - allows you to highlight an address and use your favorite online mapping site to find directions or whatever - supports Mapquest, which is all I use, but also uses 4 other sites, in case you don't like Mapquest

Paste n Go - Allows you to simply paste a link into your address bar and eliminates the need to go click "go".  I know, it only eliminates ONE FRIGGEN CLICK! but I've REALLY gotten used to using it, and once you do, you'll enjoy laziness like that.



Those are mine.  I look forward to seeing yours, and your descriptions, in case I misjudged it based on some of the not-so-useful descriptions on the site.

[jfunk]

The Web Developer pack is AWESOME if you do any kind of web development.  Clearing HTTP Auth info alone is worth the dl 

[mr.Curmudgeon]

SmoothWheel!!!!

- Automatic smooth scrolling w/ the mouse wheel. Awesome extension. It's like web browsing with a brand new suspension system.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Just wanted to add that this thread has gotten me hooked on Firefox. I hadn't used it since early beta versions, but 1.0 with added extensions just trounces IE.

Jfunk: Thanks for the DevPack recommendation. I'm a web designer and I don't think I can live without it now...

I'd just also like to share a really cool addition I found for fixing one of the only things I had missed in switching over from IE...In-line Autocomplete in the address bar. Where the URL completes itself as you type, rather than having to scroll down a list. I couldn't find this option anywhere in Firebird, but I did find this on another forum:

Adding Inline autocomplete ( no gui option to enable it).
To enable inline autocomplete, type about:config in the address bar. Then rightclick on the listing below and create a boolean value "browser.urlbar.autoFill" (without the "") and set its value to true.

I did it and it works like a charm. Enjoy!

mrC

[Sasquatch!]

All-In-One Gestures - Mouse gesture extension.  I missed the gesture system of MyIE2/Maxthon when switching to Firefox, and this has proven to be the best gesture extension for Firefox IMHO.  Very discreet and easily customizeable.  I wasnt a fan of the pop up menu things the other gesture extensions had.

This is the one extension that I can't live without now.  Hold down the right mouse button, sweep up, BAM - new tab.  Sweep right, BAM - back one page.  I love it.

The only other "gotta haves" are Spellbound and the user-agent switcher for fooling sh*tty webistes into thinking that you're really using IE.

[El Bucle]

I've got the following:
BugMeNot- This one's the coolest.  Whenever you encounter a website that requires a username and password and you don't feel like signing up for one, just right click on the field and ---ker-blam!--- you're provided with the sign-in info.  Sweet.

Bandwidth Tester- Just because my internet sucks.

DictionarySearch- Right-click a word for its definition.

Hmm, maybe I should grab some more extensions from this list. . .

[crashwg]

While we're on the subject of firefox extensions does anyone know what url to use in DictionarySearch so I can use mirriam-webster (m-w.com) instead of dictionary.com?

[DrewKaree]

Check the extension developer's site, they usually can offer a bit of help. 

[crashwg]

What a novel idea!  Wish I had thought of that... DUH!

[jfunk]

I have to agree on 'BugMeNot'..  Just found it yesterday and LOVE IT! 

[locash]

Until I saw this thread, I never considered any extensions.  I thought it was enough that Firefox was better than IE.  Now I'm using StockTicker, FireFTP, QuickNote, Paste and Go, and Jump Link

I think I'll give BugMeNot a try.

[DrewKaree]

What a novel idea!  Wish I had thought of that... DUH!

I point it out because it worked dynamite for me, you should try it too.  I'm enjoying all the shiny goodness MW has to offer.  How's that "dictionary.com" working out for you?


I've given a few other extensions a try on your recommendations - please, try to describe the extensions you're using...some descriptions of others make 'em sound like they are just hard drive clutterers.

AdBlock - mixed results thus far....I have a few subscription sites that have ads - it's made 'em load a bit slower than normal

BugMeNot - AWESOME extension!  Thanks for the tip!  On a side note about that plug-in, you'll have to google it to find the extension's web page - as of yesterday, it wasn't on Mozilla's site, but it still works for 1.0

FoxyTunes - after I figured out how to set it to MusicMatch, DYNAMITE!  Prior to figuring out how it worked - sucked.  Check out the options immediately after installing it to set it up correctly for your system

Super Drag-n-Go - another dynamite suggestion!

Keep fessin' up on your stuff, and remember to describe it so others can better be able to judge if it's worth a try.

[locash]

BugMeNot - AWESOME extension!  Thanks for the tip!  On a side note about that plug-in, you'll have to google it to find the extension's web page - as of yesterday, it wasn't on Mozilla's site, but it still works for 1.0

I was just about to ask this.

StockTicker add a simple ticker to the status bar
FireFTPOpens an intuitive FTP browser
QuickNoteIs a little "post it" note tool with autosave functions...great for todo lists.

[Trimoor]

After reading through this, I currently use:

Adblock-The absolute best extention.  Take that doubleclick!  It's great when it's set up properly, but that's difficult to do.  I'll post my filter settings if anyone is interested.

Tabbrowser Preferences-Fixes a few things that should be default.

FLST-I've been waiting for something like this.

Past and Go

BugMeNot

fireFTP

Dict-Better than Dictionary Search.  It pops up a little window with just the definition instead of goting to a site.

Firesomething-It doesn't work with 1.0 yet, but it was great. (In Mr. Burns voice) High-larious!

Edit:
Firesomething does work on 1.0.  Find it here:
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~cowell/firesomething.html

[JoyMonkey]

I like Idiocy Level, which is a little indicator that constantly reminds me how paranoid the Dept. of Homeland Security says I should be. Right now it's at "Scared" (yellow).

[mmmPeanutButter]

firesomething  I think it's funny.  Changes the name every time you open firefox, or should I say Watermonkey!

BugMeNot - Just got it today because of this thread.  Amazing.

GoogleBar - now, I know that the google bar is built in, but I like the extra features this one give me.  My favorite is when I am searching for a word on a page.  I used to have to execute the "find" command.  Now, if I type it in the second google bar the word (or words) appear on the right as buttons (as you type).  Click on the word and it finds it for you.  You can also have each occurance highlighted.

[DrewKaree]

I'm now using 1.5 after formatting my HD, I've figured out what the heck RSS is, and I've dropped/added a few other extensions I'm diggnin'.

What extensions have you found since last we visited this topic along with a brief description of what it does?

Used to use:

Dictionary Search - highlight a word, right click, and select the dictionary - a definition pops up in another window for you

Down Them All - downloads all of a certain file extension from a website, and you can select from a few different file formats to DL

FlashGot - uses FlashGet within a page to send a download to FlashGet, useful for lots of sites that may be slow to DL from, or sites you just CAN'T DL from their page unless you use FlashGet

Gmail Notifier - notifier for when I get mail in my Gmail account - time it checks the account is customizable so it isn't checking every minute or so - little box pops if I have mail - sits in the bottom of my browser so I can keep an eye on it if I wish

Forecast Fox - uses a feed from weather.com to give me weather stats at the bottom of my browser - can be customizable for day/night, number of days, zip code, whatever

Tiny Url Creator - highlight any URL, right click to bring up the context menu, and you can create a tiny URL for those 5 gazillion character web links - will allow you to copy it to clipboard to paste wherever

WebMailCompose - allows you to use your web-based e-mail service as the default for mailto: links on a webpage.  Allows you to choose from several popular ones, including Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

Download Manager - allows you to set your DL manager in Firefox as a tab, window, or sidebar and customize it in several ways - new extension for me, picked it up yesterday

MapIt! - allows you to highlight an address and use your favorite online mapping site to find directions or whatever - supports Mapquest, which is all I use, but also uses 4 other sites, in case you don't like Mapquest

Paste n Go - Allows you to simply paste a link into your address bar and eliminates the need to go click "go".  I know, it only eliminates ONE FRIGGEN CLICK! but I've REALLY gotten used to using it, and once you do, you'll enjoy laziness like that.

I've dropped:

Gmail notifier (found a different and mo betta checker)

ForecastFox (WAAAAY too obtrusive/often wrong, bookmarked NOAA)

WebmailCompose (not updated/compatible with 1.5)

Download Manager (simply wasn't useful enough to keep/use)

MapIt! (not updated/compatible with 1.5)

Paste n Go (not updated/compatible with 1.5)

I've ADDED:

Adblock with filterset add-on (should be self-explanatory)

ESPN BottomLine (sports ticker I can toggle on/off within Firefox)

Gmail MANAGER (allows MULTIPLE Gmail accounts to be checked/notified)

Google Preview (gives a thumbnail of the web page for Google searches)

PDF Download (Allows me to decide to view PDF's in the browser or not) MAY be removing this one - seems to be built into 1.5 already

ReminderFox (little reminder popup in the browser for events you input such as b-days, anniversaries, meeting, wife told me don't plan ANYTHING for this day or she'll kill me, stuff like that )

Right-click Link (opens link in a new tab - probably will be removing this one as it seems to be built into 1.5 as well)

SortExtensions (Sorts your extensions alphabetically - yes, I'm anal )

Text Size Toolbar (let you increase/decrease text size by clicking a toolbar icon - you've gotta "customize toolbar" and drag it to your toolbar to use it)

BugMeNot seems to be excellent in theory, and I tried it, but what seemed to happen more often than not was it simply wouldn't work for certain pages.  Anyone got a different thingamabob to use, or has there been an update that seems to work better now?  Also, I'm not certain yet what RSS extension to use, but the Sage extension seems to be fairly nice.  Anyone here using RSS within firefox and what extension are you using?  I've got RSS set up on my PVR, but I simply don't use that capability very often on it, so browser feed seems to be the better solution for me.

[markb]

After 2 years of use I reformatted my harddrive this morning and re-installed every program that I use regularly. Apart from the fact that Windows has sped up a fair amount I have also noticed that my re-installed version of Firefox is a lot quicker without any plugins than it was previously.
I've been using Firefox for over a year however like any program I assume if you add more to it, it is going to slow down so I would advise being sparing on what plug-ins you install.

[DrewKaree]

After 2 years of use I reformatted my harddrive this morning and re-installed every program that I use regularly. Apart from the fact that Windows has sped up a fair amount I have also noticed that my re-installed version of Firefox is a lot quicker without any plugins than it was previously.
I've been using Firefox for over a year however like any program I assume if you add more to it, it is going to slow down so I would advise being sparing on what plug-ins you install.

I've got MORE extensions than previously, and it runs FASTER than before.  My guess is waiting 2 years to format your hard drive has more to do with the increase in speed than the oodles of KILObytes of extensions installed that enhance your browsing experience and in certain cases, eliminate having to type, click, and perhaps type some more, which is FAR speedier than the slight lag an extension may add. 

Sorry if I sound like I find your idea is silly.  It's just hard to read what you describe as having "sped up" your PC. 

2 years is an eternity to wait to format, although there's users here who go to the other extreme and format way more often than is sane.  Just ask Soapboy how often he says he formats  

[mmmPeanutButter]

Right-click Link (opens link in a new tab - probably will be removing this one as it seems to be built into 1.5 as well)

Don't you use your right-click for doing other things??

With the default install of FF, you can press that middle scroll button on your mouse and it will open it up in a new tab (this is the main selling point when showing this to my friends (think news and porn).  Also, on my newer dell laptop, I click both touchpad buttons at the smae tiem and it will open the link in a new tab. 


Next... bug me not.  Yeh, I've noticed this too.  I think most of the big sites just get a hold of the addresses and then just removes them from their databeses.

[markb]

Drew, the formatting of the harddrive has made a BIG difference in my overall windows performance as 2 years ago when I built the thing I was a novice and installed every bit of software from every disk thinking they were needed.
This time though I was very sparing and installed only what I use frequently and made sure I got the latest drivers along with defragging as I went etc etc.

As for Firefox it's not the size of extensions but what they do that will slow it down, so I guess it's a trade off between functionality and speed.
Anyway Firefox is still way better than IE and I've just downloaded the portable version so I can use it on my USB Flash pen when I'm out and about.
 

[DrewKaree]

 I've just downloaded the portable version so I can use it on my USB Flash pen when I'm out and about.
 

I've taken to downloading Firefox onto every person's computer who requests my help with "fixing my computer because it's SO slow now!".  Then, I change the icon to IE's and remove all desktop, start menu, and quick launch references.  I have yet to have anyone call me back asking what happened to IE. 

I like that portable idea too.  I've hated IE since "having" to use it in the early mozilla/netscape browser days and the slow performance of early releases.  I'm gonna have to DL the portable and give it a shot.

Right-click Link (opens link in a new tab - probably will be removing this one as it seems to be built into 1.5 as well)

Don't you use your right-click for doing other things??

With the default install of FF, you can press that middle scroll button on your mouse and it will open it up in a new tab (this is the main selling point when showing this to my friends (think news and porn).  Also, on my newer dell laptop, I click both touchpad buttons at the smae tiem and it will open the link in a new tab. 

Yeah, I do, and I found out VERY quickly that extension had to go.  I also had problems with several crashes trying to use it, so it's already gone

I dig middle-button-closing tabs...I just realized that feature a short while ago.  The new tab feature - until recently, I haven't owned a mouse with a "button" wheel, so like the closing a tab feature, I hadn't even known about it!  It's sweet having the ability to customize things to fit how YOU think they should work!

[DrewKaree]

Was tinkering with the options of the extensions and just realized I will be dropping DownThemAll because Flashgot can do the same thing.

Added Deleted Bookmarks Duplicate Detector.  I have the most annoying habit of somehow having several of the same bookmark for a site   Dunno if it works solely on a per-page basis or if the whole site is considered a duplicate it is per-page, meaning EE and a thread in EE are considered to be different bookmarks.  Also, this extension ONLY works if you use the Bookmarks menu.  If you do like I do and drag the site address to wherever you want it, no dice.  Because of this, it's been quickly removed

[DrewKaree]

w00t!  FireFTP!  FTP browser that simply opens in a new tab and allows you to do the FTP jiggedy right from your browser!  I haven't seen if it supports resume or not yet, but it flat WORKS!  If you're new to FTP, it MIGHT take some experimenting for you to figure out ports/user/pass stuff, but it's sweet to use!

I still prefer FlashGet, but I figured I'd give it a try.  If you don't care to have a DL manager like FlashGet, but need FTP, this'd be something to try!

[mmmPeanutButter]

The Firefox Hacks You Must Have - Wired Article (Dec 12, 2005)

[DrewKaree]

I found another article in passing about a huge memory leak problem surfacing again in v1.5.  Sho nuff, it's affecting me similarly.  IIRC, it has to do with Macromedia Flash's plug-in, and uninstalling it will solve the problem.  If you're affected, it's common to have Firefox periodically eat up to 400,000k of memory before causing serious issues requiring shutdown of the browser and/or reboot.

I'm gonna be seeing if the plug-ins are supported in 1.07 and may downgrade.  I've had the "reboot" issue already, and the basic fix only keeps the memory leak in control for a short while until it starts climbing, obviously with every opened tab   Currently, 5 tabs open, and I'm at 146,416.  I'll be removing Macromedia Flash shortly to see if it solves the problem.

[ChadTower]

I've taken to downloading Firefox onto every person's computer who requests my help with "fixing my computer because it's SO slow now!".

[DrewKaree]

The Firefox Hacks You Must Have - Wired Article (Dec 12, 2005)

Nice and funny article

Once you've used DownThemAll, the thought of clicking on each link to download a group of objects will seem like emptying a fish tank with a shot glass.

Great future features would include replacing the "Remove this object" with something like "kill, kill, kill."

It's a software implementation of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Funny stuff right there

I've taken to asking those people why I need to know their computer has a problem, then asking if I need to know if their fridge and furnace still work properly.

Please tell us the wife keeps the hammers locked up around the house.  I just KNOW we're gonna get a link someday to a "MA man beats person to death with a hammer" story if she doesn't. 

[ChadTower]

Please tell us the wife keeps the hammers locked up around the house.

[nostrebor]

More great uses for Cheese Doodles...

[ChadTower]

That is bosss7, isn't it?

[nostrebor]

Yes.

Sorry Boss...

[DrewKaree]

No, but I'm no longer the guy who fixes everyone's PC.  A few too many angry phone calls from people for whom I had done free work when they broke the thing again... unappreciative idiots, etc etc.

"What do you mean you won't drive 80 miles to my house, do all the work, and then leave before my friends show up for the party?  What are you a jerk or something?"

"You told me you fixed this thing last year, now it's slow again, the problem is that you didn't do it right and now I'm back where I started"

I had someone drop off a PC and SWEAR it had never been touched... half the connectors in the machine were bent and there were cheese doodles in it.  THERE WERE CHEESE DOODLES IN IT.  When I reported this they claimed I must have done it and wanted a new computer at my expense, the fact that I was doing the work for free apparently irrelevant

Cheese doodles don't magically appear themselves, you know

I don't fix 'em for free, but I try to ensure I won't be back out for problems they'll cause in a few weeks.  Dumbass I last did work for figured he'd pay me in beer, since "he's my buddy".  As if I'd pay the insurance premium for the crap he sells in beer  

It was funny, the look on his face when I told him (after we decided on the money he'd be paying me) that if he doesn't stop surfing for porn on this computer, he'd infect himself with the spyware and assorted crap he'd effed his computer with.

He thought he was careful, always erased his tracks (well, at least the stuff he knew to check for), and was flat shocked and wanted to know how I knew, since "I consider myself quite knowledgeable about computers and I'm pretty sure I erased everything".  I enjoy those people who "know a lot about computers", but ask you if they should get a Dell or a Gateway because they're looking to replace their "slow" computer.