Redfern Place

FireFox is now my browser of choice. The configurability of the browser allows for a truly customized surfing experience. I’ve customized several aspects of my browser. Of particular importance to me is eliminating the clutter, and maximizing the screen real-estate for web pages. The two articles linked at the bottom explain how to do this. Combined with the Tiny Menu addon, I have everything I need in a single tool bar at the top of the browser.

I use GMail and GCal as my primary mail and calendar applications. The “Redesigned” skin created by Globex Productions, and distributed as part of the Better GMail 2 and Better GCal add-ons make for a nice, IMO, UI to the rather bland stock UI provided by Google. A few of these add-ons will only appeal to web developers (Web Developer and Firebug). PicLens is just plain fantastic. If you have used it…well…you’re missing out. Stylish is a core component used by several other add-ons. Alone it does nothing. But it allows other plugins to modify the look and feel of FireFox. Check them out. The links in the list below will take you to the Mozilla Home page for each add-on where you can find more information and installation links.

Essential FireFox 3 Add-ons:

This is a list of the essential FireFox add-ons that I use:

• Stylish
• PicLens
• All-In-One Sidebar
• Flagfox
• Tiny Menu
• Better GMail 2 (uses stylish, gmail redesigned skin)
• Better GCal (uses stylish, gcal redesigned skin)
• Better GReader
• Web Developer
• Firebug
• DragDropUpload
• Ad Block Plus

Other helpful FireFox customization information:

• Functional FireFox User Styles (lifehacker.com)
• Hide Search and Go Button
• Yellow https location bar
• Combine Stop/Reload Button
• Italicize Unread Tabs
• How to Consolidate FireFox 3’s Chrome (lifehacker.com)

Don’t forget about FireFox’s full screen mode. Just press F11 and watch nearly everything but the web page disappear.