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Extend Away
Firefox from the Mozilla Corporation is one of the best and safest browsers current available on the World Wide Web. The latest version being 1.5, this piece of software is still in development, functionality being added with each major update. Next to tabbed browsing one of the great advantages of Firefox is in my opinion the possibility to extend it. Small pieces of software that add functionality to the browser, sort of like plugins and called 'Extensions'.
From time to time I surf around the 'add-on' section of the Mozilla website, looking for new and interesting extensions that might come in handy. Reading the RSS feed of Download Squad, that features extension now and then, with Bloglines is also a good way to pick up suggestions by the way. Installing an extension is very easy and only requires a few clicks, a quick download (extensions are mostly really small) and a restart of Firefox. So there isn't an excuse for not trying out a plugin that looks interesting.
But that doesn't mean my Firefox is slowed down by dozens of installed extensions, if it is even slowed down at all that way. Whenever I notice a plugin that I hardly use, it is uninstalled as quickly as it was installed. Sometimes an addon does provide great functionality, but an interface or procedure that is quite clumsy. So only the good stuff remains and which is in my case more quality then quantity.
First of all there is the Web Developer extension. A great and indispensable plugin for, surprise, web developers. It will install an extra toolbar above the view window. It has everything you'll need, like quick links to the validating tools of W3C for HTML, CSS etc. Disabling, viewing, editing etc. of CSS. Outlining all sorts of elements. Rulers and pixel measuring tools and much, much more. The latest version is 1.0, install it here.
Getting sick of those websites cluttered with advertisements from Google, Doubleclick and Fastclick? With the Adblock plugin those ads can easily be filtered out and hidden. It will block all images, iframes or Flash animations from the domains you add yourself. It will add an extra option to the right mouse button menu when clicking on any of the above. For Flash animations this doesn't work but those can be blocked using an extra function that will reveal a small tab above the animation. You can install the plugin here, just don't block my ads, click them!
Using Firefox on more then one machine? Missing your bookmarks from one installation on the other? Then Bookmarks Synchronizer is the solution. You can upload and download all your bookmarks via your own FTP or HTTP(S) server. Downloading bookmarks on Firefox start-up, or uploading them when closing it down can set to be done automagically. You can download and install the plugin here.
Forecastfox is for the lazy people between us, that don't want to go outside to feel if it is raining. It can display the current weather, warn in case of severe weather, predict the weather for a certain amount of days etc. etc. All information will be put in the status bar on the bottom of the view window. After entering your local information you can configure the plugin totally to your likings. Install it here.
Tabbrowser Preferences adds just a little bit, but nevertheless very usefull, more options for tabbes browsing. Especially controlling links opening in tabs instead of new windows is the reason why I keep this one installed. You can install by clicking here again.
So that's about it, 5 extensions which are the best in my opinion. The reason why I keep them installed and download everytime again I have to reinstall my PC and/or Firefox. I hope at least one of them comes in handy for you and you didn't know about it yet. If you have suggestions for other good extensions please let me and others know in the comments. These were only 5 extensions, but others have made a list of 50 best Firefox Extensions. Now if only I can find some time again to start trying out those.