Browser Addons

If you are not using the Firefox browser, it's time to change, if for no other reason than the addons available for Firefox.

What's an addon? It is a small program that can be added to the browser to extend functionality to provide more features. Firefox has thousands of them, for just about anything you are doing, or can think of doing, on the Web.

As an example, consider RSS feeds. Rather than using Bloglines, or Google Reader, how about a Firefox addon? Currently, searching the Feeds, News, & Blogging category of Firefox addons for "rss" returns 64 addons to choose from.

The summary of an addon in any list of possible addons includes some helpful information, such as a "starred" rating and link to reviews, as well as the number of weekly downloads for that addon. Also be sure to note when the addon was last updated (indicated in the bottom right corner of the summary box). To read more about the addon, click on its name in the summary.

The Firefox addon site also includes a "Recommended" button on some of the addons. Look for it in the upper left corner of the summary box.

But something to watch out for is the browser version that the addon will work with. In this example, the recommended addon has been upgraded to work with the newest Firefox browser which is still in beta testing. The site will recognize which version of the browser you are using (if you are using Firefox), and let you know you will need to upgrade Firefox to use the addon.

Finally, there are the "Experimental" addons, which cannot be downloaded without logging in to the site (accounts are free). But unless you like beta testing, it's a good idea to leave these alone.

Adding the addon is pretty straightforward. Simply click on the "Add to Firefox" button and it will be downloaded. A box will pop up asking if you want to install the addon. Assuming you click the button to install it, the addon will be installed and an alert box will then let you know that you need to restart Firefox for the changes to take effect. Look for a button added to the toolbar or the status bar (at the bottom of the window) for the new addon.

One other nice thing about the Firefox addons is that they let you know when new versions or updates are available (you will typically see a popup alert box when you start Firefox). Convinced yet?