Ten extensions that add Firefox power

• Tags:
• Performance,
• Extensions,
• Browser,
• Firefox

Jack Wallen

Published: 17 Jul 2009 12:14 BST

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Whether you want faster access to your favourite websites, better tabs or improved security, a Firefox extension is on hand to help you out, says Jack Wallen.

One of the best aspects of Firefox is how easy it is to add extensions — and there are plenty to choose from. Some do little more than alter aesthetics, although you will find others that can become indispensable. No matter what the activity, there is a killer extension waiting for you. Here are my top 10.

1. Morning Coffee
This extension allows you to set a group of websites that will each open in a separate tab with the click of a button. This feature will save you having to trawl through bookmarks for your favourite sites.

You are not limited to personal browsing, either. I also use this extension to open up all the web-based admin tools for sites I administer. You can even set sites up to open only on certain days or every day, so news junkies or overworked administrators will find this extension makes browsing even easier.

2. NoScript
This is one of the best tools for making sure your browsing experience is secure.

With NoScript, you can disable active content from any site you do not trust. Unless you configure it to allow JavaScript, Java and other executable scripting to run from a site, NoScript will completely block the script, keeping your browser safe from known and unknown exploits.

You would be unwise to think that just because you are using Firefox in Linux you are perfectly safe. Use this extension, regardless of platform.

3. ColorfulTabs
I generally have a lot of tabs open in Firefox. Sometimes that situation is not a problem, but occasionally the sheer number of tabs can become overwhelming and need organisation.

To help with this, ColorfulTabs gives each open tab a different colour, making it easier to distinguish between them.

With this simple extension, you can colour-code tabs either randomly or according to URL. You can also set tabs to fade.

Another fun feature is that you can set a background image for tabs.

4. BBCode
This helpful extension adds BBCode, HTML and XHTML symbols and formatting to the context menu. BBCode also allows you to add up to 10 custom tags to your menu.

This extension shows itself when you are in a forum and you right-click a text area, where you can select the tag you want to add from the menu. It is a feature that will make your forum work easier and faster.

5. Buggybar
This extension is invaluable to Bugzilla power users. With this extension, you get a Bugzilla Chrome sidebar to show all the bugs that relate to a bug list you have created. From version 0.2, Buggybar works with all instances of Bugzilla.

6. Clear Cache Button
I always set up my browsers to clear their cache at exit. But what about those times you want to clear the cache...

• 
• 
• 
• 

• Share this article:
• Digg
• Slashdot
• Del.ici.ous
• Stumble
• Reddit