The Firefox browser has exploded on the scene. At the time of this writing there have been 23 million downloads of this innovative competitor to Internet Explorer. Minor drawbacks aside, most who use it love it – myself included.
One stand out feature is the customizable search bar that’s built into the Firefox menu bar. As a long time AOL user I had 10 hot keys set up for sites I visited all the time. With Firefox all I did was set the search bar up with those very same links. Suddenly what seemed like a reason to mourn the loss of AOL vanished.
Then there’s tabbed browsing. This is a new way to use a browser as you can access more than one page in a single browser window. Which makes it easy to switch back and forth among multiple web pages. Makes for a great time saver.
But a big benefit is the ability to install little applications that perform specific tasks. In the FireFox world these are called “extensions”. If you’re like me you’ll find extension are sorta like potato chips – you just can’t have just one.
So let me share my 7 favorites. I believe they will save you time or effort while enhancing your FireFox experience.
Favorite Extension #1: Auto copy
Auto copy is a killer keystroke saver. You’ll never Ctrl-C again. Simply highlight the desired text on the web page with your mouse and it’s instantly copied to the clipboard. Jump over to whatever application you want to paste that text into, paste it and you’re done.
Favorite Extension #2: ScrapBook
How many times have you book marked a site only to return and find it changed? Or worse it’s vanished? That makes the ScrapBook extension the web researcher’s indispensable friend. It lets you take a snapshot of any page. Or you can grab just a chunk it. ScrapeBook keeps such snapshots organized and even lets you add comments if you like.
Favorite Extension #3: TinyURL Creator
How often do you want to sent a friend a URL only to discover it’s a mile long? Like this one for instance?
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&num=50&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=%22john+gergye%22&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images
Wouldn’t it be easier to send something like this: http://tinyurl.com/427gg?
Good news. There’s a handy extension that will cut any unwieldy URL it down to size using TinyURL. Even better it will also inventory those you’ve created in case you want to use any of them again.
Favorite Extension #4: Popup Blocking
Okay so this technically isn’t an extension. It’s more of a killer built in feature that will stop pop ups dead in their tracks. I mean there’s nothing like seeing this message “Firefox prevented this site from opening a pop up window” to give you a warm glow inside
Favorite Extension #5: Google Pagerank
Want to know the Google PageRank of a page? Sadly the Google Toolbar only runs in Internet Explorer. But never fear. If you like to eyeball PR, say to check out potential link partners, the Google Pagerank Status extension displays pagerank. Even better it’s also in numeric form so you don’t have to mouse over to see the PR. .
Favorite Extension #6 LoremIpsum Content Generator
Whenever you need some quick content to check a web page layout this is your tool. You can tell it to create so many characters, words or paragraphs. Giving you a variety of “Latin-like” content like this in the blink of an eye:
Favorite Extension #7: Copy URL
Instead of copying a snippet from a page and then going back and grabbing the URL you can do it all with one tool. Copy URL. Another addictive research tool.
All of these tiny apps can be downloaded from here:
https://addons.update.mozilla.org/extensions
Or if these 7 have whet you appetite for more, you can nose around there for other extensions to enhance your FireFox experience.
One other tip
To check your extensions go to Tools>Extensions
There you’ll see all extensions you’ve installed. Newly downloaded ones will typically display this message:
“This item will be installed after you RESTART Firefox “
Do so and you’re set.
Anyway, these extensions alone are seven reasons to love FireFox. At the risk of sounding like a shill, I can’t urge you strongly enough to try it. I’m sure you’ll like it.
Copyright 2005 John Gergye
by: John Gergye
7 Reasons to Switch to FireFox
Why Mozilla Firefox is So Popular?
If we want to understand the reasons behind Firefox success we have to find the origins of the browser. During, September 2002 the first version of the browser was released to the public called Phoenix. The browser was based on Gecko engine from Mozilla Suite. After, a number of releases the name was changed to Firebird but due to a legal dispute it was changed again to Firefox. This browser has received a great deal of publicity as an alternative browser to Internet Explorer.
There are many factors behind Firefox's success but I think the added features and the marketing strategy make a whole lot difference in users' adopting the software. Another thing, I want to add is that Internet Explorer after winning the battle with Netscape's browser was left with no significant changes. Of course, this has changed with the upcoming new version of windows called Vista and a new version of Internet Explorer. I suppose Microsoft is trying to correct some omissions and bugs in various levels of the browser.
We are now going to explore the main features Firefox has at the moment. One of the main goal of the developers working in Firefox is enhanced usability and accessibility for the end user. Tabbed browsing, where you load many pages on the same window, is a valuable feature in Firefox as it can make your browsing a lot faster. Also, pop-up blocking eliminates those irritating ads and the user can easily find information on a particular page using the 'find as you type' feature. The built in search bar includes all the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo etc. and you can add more search engines if you want. People working on the accessibility of the browser have manged to make Firefox work with several screen readers, screen magnifiers and on-screen keyboards. These accessibility features can help people with impairments browse the Internet easier than before.
Another feature Firefox users like very much is that they can customize easily many aspects of the browser. Extensions such as the popular web developer or the Venkman debugger can be added to the browser and enhance the functionality of Firefox. Users, often like to have an appearance according to their preferences so they use different themes in Firefox. Therefore, themes are used to change the visual appearance of the browser.
Security is really important for end users and corporations. Both, want a secure browser that they can trust without the security holes of Internet Explorer and its ActiveX technology. Mozilla Firefox fulfills this requirement mainly by giving the opportunity to other developers to check the code for security bugs and using various successful security techniques and models such as the sandbox security model. In addition, the browser can be used in many different platforms and the source code is freely available for anyone to compile it and contribute to the project.
We have seen numerous features that Firefox has but I would like to talk a little bit about the marketing strategy that is used. The development of the browser is supported by search engines Google and Yahoo through partnerships and mostly by the open source community. Mozilla Foundation which is responsible for the development of the browser believes that community based marketing can be successful. They have proven their point by using a community based marketing web site called spreadfirefox.com. They were able to place an ad on New York Times through donations made by the community of developers and devotees during the release of Firefox 1.0.
The secret behind Firefox's success is the valuable features available for the user and the enthusiastic community which helps financially through donations and spreads the word.
By Giannis Sfyrakis
How to Switch to Firefox and Why You should
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it’s a browser. Ok but what’s that? A browser is a computer program used to view web pages, to browse through the world wide web. In fact you are reading this article with a browser at the moment. Browsers are very useful. For a start, they can remember what pages you have looked at, you can even store your favourite pages as Bookmarks. Browsers can do much more depending on which one you have.
Firefox is a free browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation. The Mozilla Foundation develops open source software. Another excellent application is Thunderbird, an email program.
More than likely you are using Internet Explorer to view this webpage. This browser is part of Microsoft Windows operating system. To check which browser you are using:
Click on the Help in your browsers menu bar. (It’s the last option on the right hand side, after File, Edit…)
Click on the last option in the menu that appears.
If it says Microsoft Internet Explorer® then you have the browser that between 80% and 90% (depending on who you talk to) use.
So why change?
Security: Most experts agree that you are less likely to be the subject of a malicious attack by “hackers” if you use Firefox than if you use Internet Explorer.
Firefox Extensions: There is a whole array of quick and easy to install extensions available for Firefox. Extensions add functionality to your browser. They are a bit like the added extras that you get with your car (except they’re free!). Everything from Ad blockers to your local weather forecast.
Tabbed browsing: Instead of opening your browser more than once to view more than one page at a time, which can slow down your computer, tabbed browsing allows you to open many web pages, in tabs, in only one browser.
So how do you get the Firefox browser?
Click on this link to go to the Firefox download page.
In the top right corner of the page is a green area with a link to the free download.
When the dialog box appears, click save.
Select a location to download the file to.
The file should start downloading to the location you selected.
When the file has finished downloading, (it should be called something like Firefox Setup 1.0.5.exe) double click on it to open it.
If you have Windows XP service pack 2 is installed, a dialog box may appear. Select execute.
After Firefox has extracted, click next.
Click on the radio button beside ‘I accept the terms of the License Agreement’ and then click on the next button.
The standard installation is fine so just click on the next button.
This screen just confirms the location that Firefox is to installed, so just click on the next button again.
Click Finish to complete the installation and launch Firefox.
Congratulations! You have now installed Firefox. When Firefox starts the first time it will ask if you want to set Firefox as your default browser. Select yes.
One last thing. Under no circumstances remove Internet Explorer from your system. Firefox is a better browser but Internet Explorer is used by your computer for other things than browsing the web.
By Aonghus Flynn
How to Make Mozilla Firefox Your Default Internet Browser
Making Mozilla Firefox Your Default Internet Browser
Step 1
Properties Box
Right click on the windows start button in the bottom left of your screen. You will see that a box appears with a list of items. Don't worry if your listed items do not match mine, the Properties button is always displayed. Look down the list until you find the Properties button and left click on it.
Properties Window
Step 2
Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window
The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window is now displayed. You will see that the Start Menu is already highlighted. To the right of the Start menu is the Customize button. Left click on the customize button to open the Customize Start Menu.
Taskbar & Start Menu Properties Window
Step 3
Customize Start Menu Window
As you can see the Customize Start Menu Window has a number of items displayed. We need to focus on the bottom section of the window in the box titled Show on Start Menu. You will see that the top drop down box has Internet Explorer highlighted. To change this to Mozilla Firefox left click on the down arrow to the right of Internet Explorer. A list of internet browsers will be displayed. Locate Mozilla Firefox and left click on it. Once you have done that click on the OK button in the bottom of the window.
Selecting Mozilla Firefox
Step 4
Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window
We are now back at the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window. In the bottom right of the screen you will notice that the Apply button is now highlighted, left click on the Apply button to confirm the change from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. Now click on the OK button and the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window will close.
Taskbar & Start Menu Window Apply
Congratulations you have now replaced Internet Explorer with Mozilla Firefox as your default internet browser. Click on the Start button in the left hand corner of the screen. At the top of the Start Window you will see Mozilla Firefox.
Now Mozilla Firefox Set as your internet browser.
How to Install Firefox
Firstly you will need to download Mozilla Firefox if you haven't already. For those of you who have not yet downloaded Mozilla Firefox I have included a link in the top left hand corner of this page.
Step 1
Installing Mozilla Firefox
Double (left) click on the Mozilla Firefox Setup.exe (exe is short for executable). This will open the Welcome to Mozilla Firefox setup window. Click next in the set up window.
Mozilla Firefox Setup exe
Step 2
Software License Agreement Window
You are now at the software license screen where you have to select I Accept the terms of the License Agreement. To do this place your cursor over the white radio button and left click. You should see a black dot in the area you clicked. Now you can continue with the Mozilla Firefox installation by clicking on the next button in the bottom right of the Software License Agreement Window.
Mozilla Firefox Software License
Step 3
Setup Type Window
The setup type window allows you to select either a Standard installation or a Custom installation. In this instance we only require the standard Mozilla Firefox installation as this installs all of the necessary components that you will need to use Mozilla Firefox as your internet browser. Click next in the bottom right of the Setup Type window.
Mozilla Firefox Setup Type Window
Step 4
Summary Window
You are now at the Summary window which details the location of the Mozilla Firefox internet browser on your computer hard drive. By clicking the next button in the bottom right of the Summary window you will begin the installation procedure. This may take a few minutes depending on the speed of your computer. Once the installation has been completed the Install Complete window is displayed.
Mozilla Firefox Summary Window Mozilla Firefox Installation Window Mozilla Firefox Installation Complete
Congratulations you have just installed Mozilla Firefox. Left clicking on the finish button in the bottom right of the screen will launch Mozilla Firefox for the first time.
Welcome to Mozilla Firefox.
Firefox Browser Basics
The Firefox browser from Mozilla is one the most useful browsers to come along in a long, long, time. More and more people are changing to Firefox from their previous browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Netscape, etc) for the security, functionality, and speed that is found in the free browser, Firefox.
Changing Your Homepage
For many people, their most useful page is their homepage. The homepage is the website that first comes up when you open your browser each day. Unfortunately, most people do not even know that they can change their homepage (or "start page")...
But now you will know!
Here are the steps for setting up your own homepage, as seen in my free tutorial video:
1. Find, and navigate to, the website you want to use. Some people like to have Search Engines for their homepage while others prefer news sources or their favorite websites. In the video, I chose Google.com because it is fast to load and is the search engine I usually use when I begin to look things up each day in Firefox. Here are some great home page candidates for your Firefox:
* www.Google.com
* www.Yahoo.com
* www.technorati.com
* www.digg.com (news by the people!)
* www.Reuters.com
* www.CNN.com
* www.Schmedely.com
* or your favorite website
2. Go to "Tools" and click the "Options" menu at the top of your browser.
3. In the "General Tab", click the "Use Current Page" button.
4. Click "Done"!
From now on you will see this page every time you start up Firefox. You can also access your homepage by clicking the "Home" button (in the shape of a house) on your Firefox tool bar.
Change Your Theme
Now this is the fun part! Firefox has the ability to change it's appearance based on themes that were made by artists on the internet. Changing the look and feel of your Firefox helps give it that stamp of ownership that makes it feel like your browser.
Follow the steps below to change your theme, as seen in my free tutorial video (www.Tech-Bites.com/firefox):
1. Click the "Tools" menu item at the top of your browser and click "Add-ons".
2. Then click "Get themes". (see the video)
3. Surf the themes database for a theme that suits you. Here are some themes that I think are high-quality and stylish! In the video, I chose Blue Ice.
* Blue Ice
* Metal Lion - Vista
* Noia Extreme (exceptional theme!)
* iFox Smooth (great for Mac users)
* Mini Fox (good for saving space)
4. Once you find the theme you want, click the "install now" button.
Note: Make SURE that theme supports Firefox 2.0 or higher! It will be displayed right above the "install now" button.
5. Restart Firefox when the download is complete.
6. Return to the "add-ons" area (step 1). Select your newly installed theme and click "Use Theme".
7. Restart and Enjoy.
Customizing Your Layout
What most Firefox users don't know is that you can change the layout of all of the buttons and bars in your browser to suit you taste.
Make sure to watch the video for a visual-aid on this Firefox function. This is how you do it:
1. Right-click any empty space on the top of Firefox and click "Customize".
2. Drag buttons from the new "Customize Toolbar" box onto you Firefox bar (anywhere you like) to add buttons.
3. Drag buttons or items from the Firefox toolbars into the "Customize Toolbar" box to remove them from your interface (you can always add them again later).
4. Drag buttons on your Firefox toolbars in any direction on your interface to move them to the locations you prefer.
Check out the video to see the "Slim-line" Firefox layout if you like to conserve space and keep things compact (like me!).
Note: If you have not yet downloaded Firefox, the web browser from Mozilla, I highly recommend you do so. This tutorial is intended only for this browser. You can download it here.
Video: To see visual examples of the steps in this article, see my free video at www.Tech-Bites.com/firefox (this article is also included on that page)
by Garrett Valdivia, www.Tech-Bites.com
Firefox Keyboard shortcuts for Beginner
- CTRL-L Highlights the address bar so you can start typing an URL quickly.
- CTRL--/CTRL-+ Decrease or increase font size of a page
- CTRL-T Open a new tab
- SHIFT-Click While clicking a a link, to launch a new window automatically
- BACKSPACE Go back in browser history
- F11 Full screen mode
- CTRL-K Highlights the search bar so you can start typing an search query quickly.
- F5 Reload the web page
- CTRL-D Bookmark the current page
- ALT-F4 Close a window
- CTRL-F Find in this page
- CTRL-U View page source
