Introduction
This page lists my Firefox configuration which might or might not be useful for your own configuration.
Noia - The best design I have seen so far.
Extensions (listed in no particular order)
The following extensions are also available as single install so you can bypass installing each individually.
Firefox Extension Backup Extension (FEBE) - The ultimate backup tool for Firefox. Allows one to backup (or restore) all installed extensions, bookmarks, preferences, etc. You can customize it how you like. Great for maintaining the same configuration across multiple machines as well.
Compact Library Extension Organizer (CLEO) - Works in conjunction with FEBE by compacting all extensions and themes backed up by FEBE into one installable.
Tab Mix Plus - The best extension around. Takes control of and greatly enhances the default tab browsing preferences within Firefox. Options include merging all browser windows into one, allowing hyperlinks to link in the same tab or new tab, having the toolbar and bookmark links open in new tabs, etc. It will also save your tabbed windows when restarting the browser. Here are my settings for reference.
Download Statusbar - Places all downloads in the status bar with progress bars for each download. You can hover over the downloads to see full statistical data. TIP: Change your Firefox download settings so that all files go to a folder called “unfiled” and then make sure that once the download completes, it removes itself from the status bar. Makes for a smooth as silk experience. Here are my settings for reference:
PDF Download - The default browser behavior is to load a PDF immediately upon clicking a hyperlink to a PDF file. This extension allows on to be prompted with the choices of loading the PDF immediately or downloading it. Additional options exist to that clicking on a PDF will result in an automatic download operation.
Bookmark Duplicate Detector - A great tool for those who have lots of bookmarks and want to reduce any duplicate entries.
CoLT - Adds the following to the Firefox context menu: “Copy Link Text” and “Copy Link Text and Location”. This is useful when copying hyperlinks from a web page to your clipboard as plain text or HTML formatted text. Check out this tip for setup and usage.
Copy Plain Text - Copies text from a web page without all the fancy formatting. Great when pasting text from the web to a word document, blog, e-mail, etc.- Copy as HTML Link - Copies any selected text from a web page as an HTML hyperlink where the hyperlink links back to the source page.
Paste Email - Adds a “Paste Email” menu item to the Firefox context menu. The original idea is that it allows one to quickly paste your e-mail address in a web form. However, this feature can hold up 15 text lines so, obviously, you can create many uses for this.
Web Developer - A feature-rich tool that adds all kinds of cool capabilities when dealing with web pages such as reading source code, page layout, etc. Really handy for debugging purposes.
FireBug - A complimentary developer tool to the Web Developer tool mentioned above. It allows you to inspect and debug JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and AJAX code. Follow the link and check out the screen shots.
Firecookie - Compliments and enhances FireBug by adding the ability to inspect cookies within the FireBug interface.
Update Notifier - This was originally part of the initial Firefox install but is now a separate extension. It provides software update notification for your extensions and themes.
Fasterfox - Provides preset and customizable options for fine tuning the speed and memory performance of the Firefox browser. NOTE: This can be problematic and cause side effects (read about FasterFox in these CyberNotes). Does not work in Firefox 3.x.
Download Them All - Downloads all files on a web site in one click. Is very customizable for changing what types of files should or should not be downloaded from a page. You can read more on the LifeHacker page.
ErrorZilla - Provides additional feedback when you visit a page that doesn’t exist, a server that is down, etc.
Colorful Tabs - Gives your tabs a little color.- Selenium IDE - Designed as a Firefox extension that allows one to record macros within the web browser for testing purposes. Haven’t used this one but it might be cool…
SafeCache - Segments your browser cache to prevent privacy attacks from remote sites that might attempt to learn more about your browsing habits. Does not work in Firefox 3.x.
SafeHistory - As found on the download page: “Restricts the marking of visited links on the basis of the originating document, defending against web privacy attacks that remote sites can use to determine your browser history at other sites.” Does not work in Firefox 3.x- Send Tab URLs - Allows one to send currently opened browser tabs, via e-mail, as list of tab names and URLs. You access this capability via the Firefox File–>Send Tab URLs menu item.
- Smart Link - Allows one to open plain text on a page in a new tab or window.
Growl Notifications - Sends download notifications to Growl. For MacOS only. Does not work in Firefox 3.x.
SQLite Manager - Adds a nice interface for manipulating and viewing SQLite databases.- PicLens - Adds a 3D experience to photo and video web sites that support the plugin. Watch out the demo!
Here are some other suggestions:
Tips and Tricks
- 15 Coolest Firefox Tricks Ever.
- Viewing Operating System Folders - You can view directories within Firefox by simply dragging and dropping a folder from the system to the menu bar of Firefox.
- CTRL+SHIFT+T - Re-opens the last closed tab.
- CTRL+T - Opens a new tab.
- CTRL+Click - Opens a new tab with the URL of the selected hyperlink.
- CTRL+L - Jump to the address bar.
- Drag and Drop URL Text.
- Manage Multiple Profiles - Learn how to setup, configure, and manage multiple Firefox profiles as well as back them up.
- Consolidate Firefox’s Chrome - Tips and tricks related to tweaking the chrome style sheet. Learn how to reclaim screen real-estate.
- Top Firefox 2 config tweaks - Top tips on configuring Firefox.
- Sync your Firefox extensions and profiles across computers.
- Firefox 3 - Power User’s Guide.
Resources
- Cheat Sheet Reference Guide - An excellent guide that can be printed for quick reference to keyboard and mouse shortcuts as well as other information.
Development
- LifeHacker - How to build a Firefox extension.
- Wired - Your First Firefox Extension.
- Firefox Extension Development Tutorial.