Stealing a page from Joel @ FoREM, and continuing the topic from my last post, there are quite a few free ‘technology’ add-ons that make surfing the web far more intuitive than using a traditional web-browser with default functionalities.
Instead of trying to address all the ‘tools’ I use in one post, ill start with the pillar of web-functionality, the Web-Browser. I was drawn to Firefox a few years ago and haven’t turned back since. Their platform is consistently updated and very stable, not to mention it offers copious amounts of cool add-ons.
So:
If you are using Internet Explorer (IE) 7 (or any previous versions) STOP!
Download Firefox, it’s very simple. Go here and click the green download button.
Save the file to your desktop (or wherever you save downloads), then click to run the software installer. In about 2 mins, you will have Firefox icons on your desktop, Quick Launch bar, and in the Start Menu.
I won’t call IE junk, since I could never create something like it, but comparatively speaking, it’s the worst of the main tier web browsers. IE doesn’t ‘play’ nice with most self-developed sites (like blogs) resulting in broken pages and other ugly results. Getting a web-site or blog-site to configure properly within IE is a monotonous, time wasting affair.
Malicious coders don’t tend to target open source software nearly as much as they do towards the 800 pound gorilla that Microsoft is. The general thought pattern among ‘techies’ is that Microsoft has all the money in the world, yet still can’t/won’t produce good, solid, products.
Once you have downloaded and have opened Firefox, you may configure it’s basic functionality , i.e. home page, Bookmarks, security levels, etc much the same way IE works.
Now for the cool stuff. Below is a list of add-ons I use that substantially add to my web-browsing experience efficiency. There are literally hundreds of add-ons to choose from, try as many as you like.
Downloading and implementing an add-on is as easy as point and click. Click the green download tabs and follow the directions, it’s all very automated and all add-ons run right within the FF web-browser. In other words, you don’t have to launch separate programs when you want to use them and I promise you won’t screw anything up on your computer.
First things first, some essential plug-ins to make Firefox compatible with the popular multi-media platforms. Download them all: Common Plug-ins
The Others:
‘Cooliris Previews gives you the power to browse and share Web links and rich media faster. Just mouse over any link, and the Cooliris preview window immediately appears to show you the content.’
A real surfing time saver. Upon installation, you will notice a little blue square that floats above the upper right corner of any link. Hover your mouse pointer over the square and the subsequent page will blow up in a separate window for your review.
This ‘peak’ beats clicking through to the actual page, or opening a new tab, and isn’t nearly as intrusive as Snap! preview.
‘BlueOrganizer works to help you simplify and organize your life online. It understands that web pages represent everyday objects, like movies, books, restaurants, wines and cars. BlueOrganizer connects those objects with the tasks you want to get done online by instantly connecting your favorite Web sites to each other.
"With BlueOrganizer your information is no longer isolated. Instead it is working for you all the time, helping you find new relevant information faster."
Time spent ‘Blue Marking’ web-pages you like, is time very well spent.
Described in my previous post, and what I’m using to write this post. Very cool and efficient way to write blog-posts.
‘A constantly improving RSS and Atom feed reader. It is fairly powerful, feature rich, well supported and has comprehensive online help.‘
If you’re not using any type of Feed Reader, keeping up with consistently changing web-sites is a chore to say the least.
Wizz keeps track of your favorite blogs and news sites with ease and has far greater functionality than a plain old RSS reader.
LookLOCAL Maps
"LookLOCAL provides a Web 2.0 geographic platform for you to intuitively organize, display, and interact with your photo, video, text, and other files…..allows you to access and compare map and satellite data from Google Maps, Yahoo! Local Maps, and Windows Live Local."
I love mapping interfaces, this one is pretty gnarly!
If you’re a subscriber to Linkedin, this plug-in is very useful.
This shows contents of all of tabs as a thumbnail-style list.
‘Session Manager saves and restores the state of all windows – either when you want it or automatically at startup and after crashes. Additionally it offers you to reopen (accidentally) closed windows and tabs. If you’re afraid of losing data while browsing – this extension allows you to relax…’
"Makes every word on every page live, not just links. Select any text and choose a command: Search • References • Conversion • Translation • Shop • Blog • Tag • Email & more"
Like I said, there are hundreds of add-ons available, some may speak to your needs more than others. Check them out, experiment, and make your web-surfing experience a far more enjoyable one…
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Thank you for helping spread FF> I have been pushing it for over a year, but people not using it seem to be the ones most confused by it. Do I still need to click the “E” to get to Firefox? Ugh.
I use almost all the plug-ins you mention, but I also have one that is like expose for FF> I need to find the name of it, and I’ll post it here. It’s a great way to see all the tabs you have open in one screen.
oh…lol…Tab Catalog. Didn’t see it listed.
Quick FF tip not mentioned. Click a link with your scroll wheel on your mouse to open the link in a new tab.
Thanks for the tips Shaun…
Being from an internet security back round (Webroot Software: the kings of the anti-spyware category), I remember distinctly the growth of FF. I give them more credit than to simply say that they aren’t being attacked because they are not Microsoft. Simply put, they closed the security gaps that Microsoft did not. At Webroot, we would see interviews being conducted with higher ups at Microsoft, and they would literally refer to companies such as Webroot as companies that they were allowing to be in business (as if they were letting their little brother play back yard football with them). It was kind of amusing really: they have literally tried to enter into the internet security space, an industry 100% founded on closing the Microsoft gaps.
Thx for the subjective perspective Christian…very insightful and interesting!
I guess we ought to thank Microsoft for their altruism
I have many favorites, most recent I’ve really started to enjoy is the skype plug-in that turns all phone #s in to dial upon click.
http://www.skype.com/help/guides/ff_extension/
Paul
Thanks for the great resources. I’ve been using firefox for a while now, but I have never heard of many of these add ons.