Firefox add-ons are one of the best features of the browser. These small pieces of code expand the Web browser's functionality and change its appearance. Since Firefox is an open-source browser, anyone who can write computer code can create add-ons. There are thousands of add-ons available; many of them simply make cosmetic tweaks, but a few are must-haves that greatly improve your Web experience. Best of all, they're free.
A Note on Compatibility of Firefox Add-ons
New versions of Firefox are released all the time, sometimes with significant changes to the browser's code. As a result, not every add-on will work with every version of Firefox. Check the compatibility of an add-on before you download it. If you're not sure which version of Firefox you're using, click on About Firefox under the Tools menu.
AdBlock Plus Firefox Add-on
Also known as ABP, this is the most powerful popup blocker available for Firefox. After installation, these Firefox add-on will automatically block popup ads from a database of known advertising domains. Banner ads and popups disappear when it's running, and periodic updates keep the list of ad servers fresh. Pages will load much faster when you're using these Firefox add-ons, and you won't have to worry about crashes caused by ads siphoning off all your memory.
1-Click Weather
Need to know the current weather conditions? Wondering about the weekend forecast? 1-Click Weather adds this information directly to your Firefox toolbar. You'll see current conditions in the toolbar, and by mousing over different areas, you can read the current and extended forecast and see a live doppler radar image. Data for this Firefox add-on service is provided by The Weather Channel.
Yoono
If you're a fan of social networking, you'll find this Firefox add-on incredibly useful. Yoono opens a sidebar in Firefox that lets you track your friends and post updates to popular social networking sites, including Twitter, Facebook and Myspace, all while you're browsing the Web.
XMarks
These Firefox add-ons expands the functionality of the Bookmarks in Firefox, and it's also compatible with Internet Exlplorer and Safari. XMarks allows you to sync your bookmarks across several computers and different browsers. It also refines Google searches, giving you the top three sites for your search terms, based on the number of Xmarks users who have bookmarked them.
Lazarus
While the religious-themed icon may be annoying to some, Lazarus is one of the most useful Firefox add-ons you'll find on any browser. This program automatically saves anything you type into a Web form field in secure memory. If your computer crashes or the form fails, you can simply right-click in the form field to retrieve what you typed. From ordering things online to leaving comments on Web sites, Lazarus is a real time-saver for users.
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Wondering how to install Firefox plugins? If you've got an active Web connection, you'll find everything you need in the Tools heading of the Firefox browser. |
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