Firefox Hints

My Favorite Firefox Extensions

Browse for Firefox Extensions at https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/. These small add-ons do hundreds of specialized functions, add buttons to your toolbars, or customize the browser to make your browsing experience better, faster or just more fun. Here are some of the extensions I use (Feb/09) in alphabetic order:

• Colorful Tabs - helpful if you have many tabs open. It colours the tab to match website colours.
• Cookie Monster - set global and site-only permissions. See NoScript.
• FEBE - backup your addons. Use the backup files to reinstall an addon.
• FireFTP - FTP web page publishing from Firefox - THE BEST! (I donated)
• Forecastfox - weather forecasts in your status bar, totally customizable for Canadian locations (forecast, sunset, pollen)
• IE Tab - switches current tab to an Internet Explorer engine. Never run IE again! (Ues Internet Explorer with all its security problems. Do IE updates!)
• Mouse Gestures Redox - Use right-click-drag motions to open link in a new tab, go back, go up, etc. (Can't live without it)
• MR Tech Local Install - allows "Disable" - great for testing problems
• NoScript - blocks scripts from sites until you "permit" (temporary or permanent). Better security.
• PDF Download - Clicking a PDF allows you to view PDF in external viewer (such as 7-zip), download, or view as HTML. I prefer to use Foxit Reader.
• QuickDrag - right-click and "throw" a link opens URL in a new tab. (v2 Super DragandGo)
• Smoothwheel - makes scrolling a dream - customize however you like.
• Sxipper - form filler - one click can log you in
• Tab Mix Plus - lots of tab browsing options
• Tab Bar Buttons - extra function buttons to customize your toolbars

The MenuX Extension

Provides tools to maximize valuable screen space and icons to help you customize your toolbars. Sadly, this extension was not upgraded to Firefox v3 yet. (I live in hope.) A 15" screen using 800x600 resolution gets mighty crowded when you have a title bar, toolbars (menu, personal, URL, buttons), tabs, horizontal scrollbar (aghhh!), vertical scrollbar, and a status bar. A web page must squeeze in between all this.

The MenuX extension allows me to use only 2 toolbars - one at the top with my most-used functions and a status bar at the bottom. All other icons are in 6 hidden toolbars that can be made visible (or changed) from the Toolbars List. I can quickly toggle the screen without any toolbars using the F11 function key.

My top toolbar contains the location box followed by icons for my most-used functions: Menu, Bookmarks, Homepage, Go Up a level, Back, Forward, Reload, Duplicate in new Tab, Temporarily allow Scripts, Toggle images, Enlarge Test, Reset Text, FireFTP, Wizz news reader, Display closed Tab list, toggle Personal Toolbar, Toolbars control, Close toolbar. The status bar contains NoScript, Cookie Monster, IE Tab, and Forecastfox weather.

A very useful toolbar button removes page styles such as background colours, background images and odd fonts. A quick click and you can read the unreadable! A drop-down menu provides simple style and no style (default fonts and colours, ALL formatting removed). Download and install Firefox MenuX extension.

Firefox Colours

Firefox, Mozilla.com's terrific web browser, has many extensions and options, but only allows you to choose your default background from the about 70 colours. To change the default background to any RGB colour code, you may make a direct change to the Firefox configuration:

Be careful with 'config' changes - backup your Firefox profile folder first!

If the Options don't provide you with the color you want, type about:config in the location bar. (Backup your Firefox profile before changing the "configuration".)
In the Filter box, type "color".
Locate browser.display.background_color in the list. Right click on it and select Modify (or double click).
You will see a RGB color such as #C0C0C0 (gray). * Type another RGB color such as #FFFFE8 (pale beige). Click OK. The new default background takes effect immediately.

browser.display.use_document_colors is probably set to true but you can change it to false if you have vision problems and prefer your own colours.

Firefox Tips & Tricks

Colour Codes in HTML