20 Firefox Extensions You Have to Get, and 10 to Avoid
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Thursday, April 12, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
One of the strengths of the Firefox web browser is its extensibility via a very robust plugin framework. Developers can add all sorts of cool bells and whistles to the browser to add functionality never thought of by the original developers. This is such a popular feature, that the net is flooded with extensions for users to pick up and try. However, it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, so users are either overwhelmed by the choices and run away, or spend hours trying to find the good ones through trial and error.
ComputerWorld recently did two articles on the topic of Firefox extensions, one on the 20 you simply have to have, and then 10 that you should likely avoid at all costs. If you're a tech-head who loves tweaking Firefox, gives these two articles a read over, you may find a few gems you didn't know about before.
20 Must-Have Firefox Extensions: link
Top 10 Firefox Extensions to avoid: link
Bebi Bulma
Reply #2 Thursday, April 12, 2007 5:27 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, April 12, 2007 5:27 PM
Why couldn't they have actually *listed* the extensions first, and *then* went into detail about what they did? I couldn't stand being on that site for more than 10 secs it was so cluttered and disorganized. Screw that mess. Adblock ftw!
ben38
Reply #3 Thursday, April 12, 2007 6:11 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, April 12, 2007 6:11 PM
When I tried to look at the top 20 link, my computer locked up. 
So much for that.
So much for that.
warreni
Reply #4 Friday, April 13, 2007 12:43 AM
Reply #4 Friday, April 13, 2007 12:43 AM
Well, in my opinion, these lists are kinda screwy. First, the "avoid" list includes an extension that I have used for as long as it's been around, and no ad-filled website will persuade me to discard--AdBlock. It's one of those rare extensions that a) does what it says it will and 
does so without causing a lot of crashes. The other extension I use frequently, which does appear on the "must-have" list is IETab. A lot of websites and many of the documents and programs that I use at work either work better or work only in an Explorer environment, and while IETab isn't perfect, it's better than running Firefox and Avant simultaneously (although I find myself doing that more and more at work lately). However, the many of the other items on the "must-have" list seem to be either dependent on what type of work you're using your browser for (e.g., WebDeveloper and FireBug) or rather silly and pointless (ColorTabs and StumbleUpon). I'm sure having colored tabs looks pretty, but is it really "must-have"?
does so without causing a lot of crashes. The other extension I use frequently, which does appear on the "must-have" list is IETab. A lot of websites and many of the documents and programs that I use at work either work better or work only in an Explorer environment, and while IETab isn't perfect, it's better than running Firefox and Avant simultaneously (although I find myself doing that more and more at work lately). However, the many of the other items on the "must-have" list seem to be either dependent on what type of work you're using your browser for (e.g., WebDeveloper and FireBug) or rather silly and pointless (ColorTabs and StumbleUpon). I'm sure having colored tabs looks pretty, but is it really "must-have"?
Bebi Bulma
Reply #5 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:23 AM
Reply #5 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:23 AM
IETab was in there though...at least during the less than 10 seconds I tried skimming through that awful mess. And of course they put Adblock in the "avoid" list, that site must be plagued with ads all over the place. Adblock is definitely *the* extension I refuse to browse without.
aufisch
Reply #6 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:38 AM
Reply #6 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:38 AM
Adblock Plus and NoScript are some of my most liked extensions for Firefox, while StumbleUpon has absolutely no real use for me and the DownloadStatusbar clashed with something so that I had to remove it again.
I guess tastes are different.....
I guess tastes are different.....
Zaknick
Reply #7 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:17 AM
Reply #7 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:17 AM
Well, it makes since on their part. Adblock plus is a excellent extension (I use it), but a potential problem for websites with advertisement used to support the site. Do people really click on advertisement links 
Web Developer is also very good.
I would also recommend Wizz RSS ( Sage as a alternative) as a good RSS reader.
Web Developer is also very good.
I would also recommend Wizz RSS ( Sage as a alternative) as a good RSS reader.
Life is a Game
Reply #8 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:35 AM
Reply #8 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:35 AM
The articles just seemed to messy so I didn't bother reading it.
I love FireFox and I'm using 2 addons. Download Statusbar and FireFTP and use Macfox II Graphite theme.
I love FireFox and I'm using 2 addons. Download Statusbar and FireFTP and use Macfox II Graphite theme.
Damilee
Reply #9 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:35 AM
Reply #9 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:35 AM
Thanks for directing me to this article. I got as far as Stumbleupon and got lost for the next three hours. It is completely mind-boggling. I'm used to a certain number of sites that I regularly visit, but I had no idea there was so much cool stuff out there!
George Rogers Jr
Reply #10 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:40 AM
Reply #10 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:40 AM
Agree with aufisch/Reply#6...have used FF for years & it gets better with every new build.
ZubaZ
Reply #11 Friday, April 13, 2007 7:56 AM
Reply #11 Friday, April 13, 2007 7:56 AM
Regarding ad-block:
I know I'm crazy . . but I consider blocking ads stealing.
I think that there is an implied agreement that if I go to a site that is ad sponsored that I look at the ads. It's a trade that the site owner and I are making, free access for ads.
I have never clicked on an ad from a site but I don't think that's part of the "contract".
If the ads are too much I either don't return or if it has value I may purchase a ad-free subscription (if available).
Bebi, what was that extension that copied to clipboard whatever was selected in FF? I *love* that one.
I know I'm crazy . . but I consider blocking ads stealing.
I think that there is an implied agreement that if I go to a site that is ad sponsored that I look at the ads. It's a trade that the site owner and I are making, free access for ads.
I have never clicked on an ad from a site but I don't think that's part of the "contract".
If the ads are too much I either don't return or if it has value I may purchase a ad-free subscription (if available).
Bebi, what was that extension that copied to clipboard whatever was selected in FF? I *love* that one.
starkers
Reply #12 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:35 PM
Zubaz....you're crazy orright
....completely bonkers, if you like 
, if you don't block those goddam awful flashing banner ads that are so distracting and just millimetres from what you're trying to read in peace.
In fact, I 100% recommend you disable those brightly coloured flash banners while surfing the net. Not only do they increase the need for spectacles (or a much stronger script), they also contain subliminal messages (in the distracting strobe lights which must catch the corner of your eye) and can make you do strange and involuntary things, even in your sleep.
Forewarned is fore-armed, so take heed before you awake in the middle of the night to find yourself downtown in your PJ's at a 7/11 & buying up big on the tacky burritos you saw in an internet banner ad earlier in the week.
BTW, how are you my friend....all is well with you & yours I trust? Also, congrats on your Stardock appointment...couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. 
Reply #12 Friday, April 13, 2007 1:35 PM
I know I'm crazy . . but I consider blocking ads stealing.
Zubaz....you're crazy orright
....completely bonkers, if you like 
, if you don't block those goddam awful flashing banner ads that are so distracting and just millimetres from what you're trying to read in peace.In fact, I 100% recommend you disable those brightly coloured flash banners while surfing the net. Not only do they increase the need for spectacles (or a much stronger script), they also contain subliminal messages (in the distracting strobe lights which must catch the corner of your eye) and can make you do strange and involuntary things, even in your sleep.
Forewarned is fore-armed, so take heed before you awake in the middle of the night to find yourself downtown in your PJ's at a 7/11 & buying up big on the tacky burritos you saw in an internet banner ad earlier in the week.
BTW, how are you my friend....all is well with you & yours I trust? Also, congrats on your Stardock appointment...couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.
whiterabbit007
Reply #13 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:02 PM
Reply #13 Friday, April 13, 2007 2:02 PM
Wow, those lists are completely messed up. Okay I can understand AdBlock (though I will not browse without it) but PDF download and Tabbrowser Preferences on the avoid list - crazy! Oh and I just love how the must have list contains stumbleupon and colored tabs - now those might be fun or useful extensions to some but a "must have"?!
SkagGully
Reply #14 Friday, April 13, 2007 4:59 PM
Reply #14 Friday, April 13, 2007 4:59 PM
I don't really mind ads. I can easily ignore them, as long as they don't have annoying sounds...
What I somewhat mind though is a horrible layout cluster fuck of website that makes recommendations like "do not use this extension because we are totally biased towards it". How constructive. One would think they'd recommend not using extensions that are total garbage from a technical and functionality point.
What I somewhat mind though is a horrible layout cluster fuck of website that makes recommendations like "do not use this extension because we are totally biased towards it". How constructive. One would think they'd recommend not using extensions that are total garbage from a technical and functionality point.
Lotherius
Reply #16 Saturday, April 14, 2007 1:14 AM
Reply #16 Saturday, April 14, 2007 1:14 AM
I gotta agree with most people here, that the lists are completely whacked. Even some of the less obvious "avoids" are whacked. PDF download, for instance, I consider ESSENTIAL. Yes, there are a few sites that it doesn't catch PDF files on, but I don't care. The majority of sites, it stops PDFs dead, and lets me open them externally. Sorry, I don't want PDF opening in my browser - it usually results in a crash in my experience, or if you're VERY patient, it slows down the browser drastically. Also, it prevents many inadvertent "I didn't know that was a fscking PDF" moments, usually followed by waiting on the browser as it bogs down (and I'm on a very fast dual core system).
Seems like the list is just one guy's rant about how anything that POWER USERS use is no good, and the only good stuff is toolbars/ads. I suspect the guy's home system is full of spyware and ads.
Zubaz: Stealing, maybe. But I was DRIVEN to blocking ads by too many popup, popout, drive-by installers, blinking, noisemaking pieces of trash. I have been an advocate of blocking ads since 2000 or so when I got a drive-by 1-900 dialer from an ad on a Yahoo network site! Intellitxt made me an even bigger convert. A lot of sites use Intellitxt, and honestly, it ranks up there with some of the MOST annoying trash on the internet.
Sorry, but I'm going to continue aggressively blocking ads, and so is much of the world, because of the annoyance factor. If mosts sites had stuck to static banners, or google-style ads, then perhaps that wouldn't be the case, but too many sites have chosen to get nasty with ads, and I'm not going to deal with it. If they go out of business, I'll move on somewhere with a better profit model, TYVFM.
As far as Wincustomize - Am I stealing by blocking ads when I'm both an ODNT customer AND a Wincustomize subscriber?
Seems like the list is just one guy's rant about how anything that POWER USERS use is no good, and the only good stuff is toolbars/ads. I suspect the guy's home system is full of spyware and ads.
Zubaz: Stealing, maybe. But I was DRIVEN to blocking ads by too many popup, popout, drive-by installers, blinking, noisemaking pieces of trash. I have been an advocate of blocking ads since 2000 or so when I got a drive-by 1-900 dialer from an ad on a Yahoo network site! Intellitxt made me an even bigger convert. A lot of sites use Intellitxt, and honestly, it ranks up there with some of the MOST annoying trash on the internet.
Sorry, but I'm going to continue aggressively blocking ads, and so is much of the world, because of the annoyance factor. If mosts sites had stuck to static banners, or google-style ads, then perhaps that wouldn't be the case, but too many sites have chosen to get nasty with ads, and I'm not going to deal with it. If they go out of business, I'll move on somewhere with a better profit model, TYVFM.
As far as Wincustomize - Am I stealing by blocking ads when I'm both an ODNT customer AND a Wincustomize subscriber?
ZubaZ
Reply #17 Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:29 AM
I thought the list was skewed also. It didn't seem like a researched piece, more like one editors feelings.
Reply #17 Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:29 AM
As far as Wincustomize - Am I stealing by blocking ads when I'm both an ODNT customer AND a Wincustomize subscriber?
As a WC subscriber, I see only two ads on a page. They are for Stardock products and are not intrusive.I thought the list was skewed also. It didn't seem like a researched piece, more like one editors feelings.
MySecret
Reply #18 Saturday, April 14, 2007 10:04 AM
Reply #18 Saturday, April 14, 2007 10:04 AM
I have to agree that the list seems biased towards power users & also disagree about ad stealing. Lotherius states my reasons perfectly. I travel far & wide on the net & too many great sites overwhelm with their ads.
Prior to logging in to Wincustomize I see the Mycolors & Galatatic Civilization ads with Adblock Plus enabled. I could remove them with but as Zubaz says they are not intrusive. Many sites are able to find ways around the adblocking and if they are static I leave them.
It's My Secret
Bebi, Thanks for the link to auto copy, another must have
Zubaz: Stealing, maybe. But I was DRIVEN to blocking ads by too many popup, popout, drive-by installers, blinking, noisemaking pieces of trash. I have been an advocate of blocking ads since 2000 or so when I got a drive-by 1-900 dialer from an ad on a Yahoo network site! Intellitxt made me an even bigger convert. A lot of sites use Intellitxt, and honestly, it ranks up there with some of the MOST annoying trash on the internet.
Prior to logging in to Wincustomize I see the Mycolors & Galatatic Civilization ads with Adblock Plus enabled. I could remove them with but as Zubaz says they are not intrusive. Many sites are able to find ways around the adblocking and if they are static I leave them.
It's My Secret
Bebi, Thanks for the link to auto copy, another must have
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Reply #1 Thursday, April 12, 2007 5:21 PM
Dumb article, Compterworld...