With over 35 useful add-ons, IE and Firefox will be more “powerful,” allowing you to comfortably browse or work online
These days, the Internet has penetrated every corner of life, from work and study to entertainment. To ensure everything runs smoothly, you need to equip your web browser with effective new tools. This article will introduce you to free add-ons for IE and Firefox that support RSS feeds, manage cookies, organize bookmarks, enhance security, upgrade features, and improve the browser interface, along with many other unique functionalities.
FIREFOX
[1] Forecastfox
If you often follow weather forecasts on television, you’ll surely enjoy Forecastfox (find.pcworld.com/49102). This add-on integrates into the Firefox toolbar, providing weather information based on data from AccuWeather.com.
[2] CustomizeGoogle
You can use this add-on to enhance Google search results by adding supplementary information (like links from Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, MSN, etc.) and removing unnecessary data such as spam ads. All features are optional, and you can easily configure them from the menu. CustomizeGoogle is available for download at find.pcworld.com/49103.
[3] IE View
Some websites are specifically designed for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, thus they may not display correctly in Firefox. No worries; with the IE View add-on (find.pcworld.com/49104), you can view those pages directly in your Firefox browser.
[4] POTO Sidebar Extension
If you’ve used the Opera browser, you’re probably familiar with the control frame and icons linking to frequently used features. Now, Firefox users can enjoy a similar tool: the POTO Sidebar Extension (find.pcworld.com/49105). With this add-on, you can access your bookmarks, browser history, and recently downloaded items with just a click.
[5] NoScript
Which websites are safe and which might jeopardize your computer? It can be challenging to determine that. The best approach is “prevention is better than cure” while browsing the web. The NoScript add-on (find.pcworld.com/49106) automatically blocks JavaScript code on web pages as soon as they load. You can create a whitelist to allow JavaScript execution on trusted online shopping or banking sites you frequently visit.
[6] PDF Download
If you want to save time downloading Adobe Acrobat documents, PDF Download (find.pcworld.com/49108) could be a sensible choice. This add-on allows you to quickly open a PDF file directly in the browser or save it to your hard drive.
[7] NetCaptor 7.5.3
If your current web browser feels stale, you might want to try NetCaptor (http://www.netcaptor.com/index.php). This tool lets you arrange browser tabs at the top or bottom of the application. Moreover, the Address Tools feature helps you locate similar content and quickly access Anonymizer.com.
[8] Dictionary Search
Want to become smarter? It’s not hard if you equip yourself with the Dictionary Search add-on (http://dictionarysearch.mozdev.org/). Simply highlight a word, right-click, and select Dictionary Search to view its detailed definition from one of four pre-configured online dictionaries. Additionally, the add-on provides a list of dictionaries in various languages for you to choose from.
[9] Google Toolbar for Firefox
For a long time, the open-source Googlebar has been familiar to Firefox users, but Google has now created a dedicated toolbar for this browser (http://toolbar.google.com/firefox/). Notably, this toolbar features spell check, auto-filling forms on the web, and a language translation tool.
[10] FoxyTunes
Want to listen to music while browsing? With FoxyTunes (find.pcworld.com/49116), you can control music programs like iTunes, Windows Media Player, or 30 other multimedia tools without leaving your browser, as the buttons are always “ready” on the screen.
[11] View Cookies
Curious about which cookies are associated with the websites you frequently visit? It’s easy with View Cookies (find.pcworld.com/49118). This add-on lists all details about those cookies and allows you to erase any traces of them.
[12] ConQuery
This add-on is for Firefox, Mozilla, Thunderbird, and Mozilla Mail, enabling you to search through any web search engine using a context menu (the menu that appears when you right-click) in the browser. The query can include various parameters such as the search text, URL, and hostname. Each query can be configured before execution, allowing you to edit the selected text, add supplementary information, or choose among different options. ConQuery can be downloaded for free from http://conquery.mozdev.org/.
[13] Gmail Notifier
The Gmail Notifier add-on (find.pcworld.com/49122) will notify you whenever you receive a new email through a small icon in the system tray.
[14] Sage 1.3.5
Sage (find.pcworld.com/49124) is a compact RSS and Atom reader, providing a “smarter” way to skim through multiple news sources using Firefox’s Live Bookmarks feature. This advantage comes from Sage displaying more information than just the headlines of the news items.
[15] Copy Plain Text
Want to grab plain text (without size and font formatting) when copying from websites without the hassle of pasting into Notepad? With the Copy Plain Text add-on (find.pcworld.com/49125), you can quickly use the content downloaded from the Internet.
[16] Adblock
Tired of intrusive Flash ads while browsing? Don’t worry! With the Adblock add-on (http://adblock.mozdev.org/), you can control what appears in your browser window by customizing filters. You can also block the display of standard image ads (like .gif files) or from specific website addresses.
[17] FlashBlock
Similar to AdBlock, the FlashBlock add-on (http://flashblock.mozdev.org/) aims to block Macromedia Flash content, including Shockwave files, as soon as they initiate. Instead, a small icon will appear in place of the Flash content, and you can click the icon to load the Flash content if needed.
[18] Greasemonkey
This add-on allows you to add scripts, often small commands or programs, to other websites to make them more appealing and functional. Firefox users have created a large library of free scripts at find.pcworld.com/49130.
EXPLORER
[1] Password Safe
While browsing the web, you need to remember numerous passwords for various online services such as email, messaging, banking, or even your credit card number. However, the more secure a password is, the easier it is to forget. That’s when you need the help of Password Safe (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID:45176). This tool not only helps you create random passwords but also stores countless passwords in a database encrypted with the Blowfish standard, requiring you to remember only one master password (Safe Combination).
[2] Microsoft MSN Search Toolbar
If you’re familiar with Google and Yahoo toolbars, try downloading Microsoft’s new MSN Search Toolbar (http://toolbar.msn.com/) for a delightful surprise. True to its name, this toolbar enables web searching quickly, as well as searching documents in your Outlook inbox and My Documents folder on your computer (refer to the article “Comparing Search Tools,” ID: A0510_104). Moreover, with the MSN Search Toolbar, IE becomes more convenient with tabbed browsing similar to Firefox.
[3] Avant Browser 10
This veteran program can give IE a “new coat,” complete with tabbed browsing and background change options. Avant Browser 10 (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49141) also supports blocking Flash content and pop-up windows, clearing browsing history and temporary files, and provides fullscreen mode for simplified display.
[4] IeSpell
If you frequently type text on the web, such as composing emails, writing blogs, participating in forums, or chatting, IeSpell is an essential tool. This add-on automatically checks the spelling of what you type based on American, Canadian, and British dictionaries, and you can add personal terms as well. IeSpell can be downloaded at www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 47018.
[5] CachePal
Usually, freeing up disk space and securing information requires many time-consuming steps. A helpful add-on that can help you skip these processes is CachePal (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 47024), which can quickly clean your browser’s history, temporary files, and cookie list with just one click.
[6] BookmarkSync
Do you want to synchronize your frequently used bookmarks between browsers on the same machine or across different machines? It’s not complicated with the BookmarkSync feature from www.sync2it.com. Furthermore, you can share these bookmarks with other users on the network. The Sync2It tool can be downloaded from www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49144. Additionally, a version for Firefox is also available on the Sync2It.com website.
[7] IE Xtreme
Have you heard of a tool that can support nearly all essential features for Internet usage? That’s IE Xtreme (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49144), which can clear the browser cache, block pop-up windows, set notifications for new emails, auto-fill forms, and many other useful features. You can also back up and restore this tool’s configurations.
[8] Pluck
If you’re not satisfied with the number of available RSS sources, try the powerful Pluck add-on (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051002). Besides its primary function as an RSS reader, Pluck can organize, update search items from websites like Amazon, eBay, Google, and share them with friends online. Additionally, the tool helps sort the list of frequently used sites in the browser. A beta version of this tool for Firefox is also available for download at www.pluck.com.
[9] Amplify
Have you never organized your browser’s Favorites folder? The Amplify add-on (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49145) will help you sort links for searching, shopping, and many other frequently used websites. Moreover, you can use this information through the Amplify.com website.
[10] Browster
If you frequently use search engines like Google or Yahoo, quickly add the Browster add-on (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051003) to your IE browser. Very convenient, just hovering over search results will let you preview the content of that result, rather than just vague descriptions as before.
[11] Maxthon
Formerly known as My IE2, Maxthon also offers various customization options and security tools like the Avant browser, along with new backgrounds and the ability to block pop-ups and read RSS feeds. You can download the Maxthon tool for free at www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051004.
[12] Feedreader 2.90
If you need a basic RSS reader with all the necessary features, Feedreader (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051005) can meet that need. You can add new news sources, set filters, and modify buttons on the toolbar.
[13] PureText 2.0
PureText (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49146) can help you obtain plain text when copying from web pages. Thus, you no longer have to worry about changes in size and font style or other annoyances.
[14] Privacy Bird for IE
Typically, reading websites related to privacy policies can be time-consuming. Privacy Bird (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051006) automatically marks any privacy policy written in the standard Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) format based on the information set by users.
[15] FraudEliminator
Are you worried about whether a website is truly safe? FraudEliminator (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 49147) can display the country of origin and the creation date of the website. This tool can also notify you whether a website is genuinely safe based on a pre-existing list of fraudulent or potentially harmful websites.
[16] Net Snippets
Net Snippets (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 051007) helps you quickly save information such as images and text from a webpage into organized folders with clear source annotations. Additionally, you can add your own notes if desired. This tool is truly useful for anyone who frequently searches for information online. The Net Snippets version supporting Firefox can be downloaded for free at www.netsnippets.com.
[17] RoboForm
If you often log into forums or register personal information online, don’t waste time repeating that tedious task. Supporting both IE and Firefox, AI RoboForm (www.pcworld.com.vn, ID: 42692) will help you quickly fill in web forms with information such as name, phone number, email address, and many other commonly used details.
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