Firefox 2.0 My Way  

We are now current with Firefox 2.0 and 30 Add-ons working. Add-ons are what used to be called Extensions. The best new standard feature is inline spell check. I had to grab a dictionary to make it work, but that was easy.

Below I updated the version numbers. All my 30 Add-ons are not listed do to time bind. Make sure to get the Nightly Tester Tools Add-on if some don't work with 2.0 yet.

I have Internet Explorer 7.0 now which is the latest, but Firefox is still my default.

The Original Story

Since I decided to leave Internet Explorer behind there have been a few changes in my browsing experience. I became an avid Opera user but as time progressed it seemed that Firefox was going to be the dominant substitute for IE.

Having tried both Opera and Firefox a while back it was Opera that won my default crown. It had so many features and was fast. Firefox seemed troublesome with the Extensions having to be found and added. It wasn't that it was hard, but that it just seemed like a bother.

Now fast forward to 05/28/2007 and Firefox 2.0.0.3 is my default. With the right Extensions it has almost the same features that Opera has or at least the ones that meant so much to me. It has the bonus of some nice Extensions for web design folks like myself.

The purpose of this little page is to layout my favorite setup to be shared with anyone who might like a similar setup. Remember that versions and links can get out of date fast on an application that is still in the growth stage of development. They have had over 351 million downloads as of this date.

Below is a list of my favorite Extensions and where they can be found. Please be patient if the link doesn't bring you right to the extension as they add to the list all the time and it makes them move a little. Usually they can be found alphabetically once you get in the neighborhood. Make sure to back up your customized setup Profile. It can be found in Windows Explorer for XP at C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles. For XP and other systems just copy the Profile directory to a safe place or include it in a regularly scheduled backup with your other important data.

Some of the versions listed below have been updated. It would be to much trouble to keep up with the progress here, but Firefox prompts you when updates to the main program or extensions are available. A little icon shows up in the upper right of the browser. The links and versions updated 01/07/2007.

SearchStatus 1.18

Adds Google Page Rank and Alexa rating to the Status Bar. Several other good features like Whois from a context menu.

Web Developer 1.0.2

"Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools."

ColorZilla 0.8.3.1

A little Eyedropper resides in the lower left corner of the screen to give an "Advanced Eyedropper, ColorPicker, Page Zoomer" etc.

HTML Validator (based on Tidy) 0.7.9.5

Adds HTML Validation to the View Source page

ieview 1.3.1

Allows you to see quickly how a page looks in Internet Explorer. After all we care since they still have a 90%,(and falling), share of the browser market.

LoremIpsum Generator 0.4.2

Use latin words to create filler content for web page layout.

Text Area Word Counter 1.0

Allows you to count the words in a text area within a form before hitting submit. Added here 06/18/2005.

Copy Plain Text 0.3.2

Lets you lift text without the formatting.

Google Toolbar 2.1.20060807W

Gives the Page Rank and other features enjoyed in Google Toolbar for IE.

Nightly Tester Tools 1.2

"Allows you to force the application to believe an extension is compatible with the current version and enable it."

Mouse Gestures 1.5.2

One of my favorites in Opera and available in Firefox. It's worth it just for page back and forward. I can't remember all the gestures these two alone make it worth having.

DeskCut 0.5.0.5

Allows you to create a desktop shortcut icon that links to the page.

Enhanced History Manager 0.5.8.05

Just what it says. "Flexible History Management"

AniDisable 1.1

"Control animation of gif files via context menu" Some can be very annoying.

Tabbrowser Preferences 1.3.1.1

More control over tabbed browsing. Another Opera similar Extension.

Flashblock 1.5.2

Gives you a big "F" where the flash object was and you can click on it if you want to see the Flash content. Gets rid of some distracting ads that are slow to load especially for dial-up users.

Image-Show-Hide 0.2

Gives you a toolbar icon to turn off images.

SpellBound 0.7.3

Take your time and get what you need here. It's great for Forums and online forms that you want to check for spelling.

SessionSaver .2 0.2.1.031

Lets you crank off in the morning where you stopped the night before. Another Opera look alike.

Sound Extension 1.0

I added train sounds to mine and you can add your favorites. I have steam whistle toots, chimes etc. Here are 7 little .wav files zipped for Railfans. HINT BELOW!

Sound Extension-- After install go to the Extension list in Tools and Select the Sound Extension. Now drop down and click on Options. If you want to add my .wav sounds or others drop them in C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\default.k2u\soundextension with the ones that come with Sound Extension 1.0. \default.k2u\ may be different for you.
Note: Had to use Nightly Tester Tool to make it work.