If you’re a die-hard fan of Firefox,  you can get the same features in your beloved browser by installing the Tab Sidebar addon.

Pop up its preference window after you’ve installed it, and change the orientation to top. Hit Ctrl + Shift + E and the visual tab bar pops up. Each thumbnail has back, forward, reload and close buttons as well.

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Get Opera 10-Style Visual Tab Bar in Firefox

No related posts.

Some native Windows applications utilize this feature very well. Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 puts your most visited sites in the jumplist as you use it more and more. In the screenshot below, you can see IE 8′s jumplist that has options to specific tasks like InPrivate, New tab etc:

However, Firefox’s current version doesn’t utilize jumplists in a big way. The following screenshot will illustrate the same. It doesn’t do much.

Firefox doesn't take advantage of Windows 7's Jumplist features

However, Winfox aims to change all that. Winfox tells Firefox to leverage the Jumplist feature in Windows 7 to do more things.

Winfox pins frequently visited sites to the Firefox jumplist. Thumbnails of open windows are available from the taskbar button as well.

Firefox Jumplist, after Winfox was installed

Get Winfox from here. Winfox works with Firefox 3 and above.

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Make Firefox Leverage Windows 7′s Jumplists

Related posts:

1. Change OEM Logo and Information in Windows 7
2. Get the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7
3. View and Recover Windows 7 Product Key

Continuing our coverage of the most useful, latest, and workplace addons for Firefox, here is a list of five Firefox addons that can add a range of new features particularly tailored for Firefox running on a widescreen monitor. These addons can enhance Firefox for optimal usage on a widescreen and also add some fun elements that suit a widescreen monitor. Have a look:

#1. Split Browser – Download

The Split Browser Firefox addon can be used to split the Firefox content area so that you can view multiple web pages side by side. To open a webpage in split mode, just right click on the link and choose ‘Load in Split Browser’. You can split the window infinitely.

#2. Vert Tab Bar – Download

Vert Tab Bar Firefox addon hides the horizontal tab bar and stacks the tab buttons vertically on the left or right of the Firefox window. You can adjust the width of the vertical tab bar, the position of the favicon and the text on the tab bars.

#3. Tree Style Tabs – Download

Tree Style Tabs, besides allowing you to move your tabs to the left or right of your screen, organizes them in a tree-like structure. Suppose you click on a link and open it in a new tab, it is automatically attached to the tab from which it was opened. You can expand and collapse trees, and of course you can drag and drop tabs into other trees.

#4. Firefox Showcase – Download

Showcase addon for Firefox can be used to show thumbnails of tabs in the sidebar, as you can see from the screenshot above. Of course, you can adjust the size of thumbnails as you wish. Install the addon and press the Ctrl + Alt + D hotkey combo to see the thumbnails in the sidebar.

#5. Wider Bug – Download

If you’re a web developer using the Firebug addon for Firefox, you might want to check out Wider Bug. The Firebug panel takes up a lot of vertical space, since it opens in the bottom of the Firefox Window. Wider Bug makes it open in the right of your Firefox window instead. You’ll start wondering why you didn’t install it before.

Do you use Firefox on a widescreen monitor? Has any Firefox addon made things easier for you? Share what you know in the comments.

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Five Firefox Addons To Check Out If You Have A Widescreen Monitor

No related posts.

1. Panic – Download

At the press of a hot key, this addon closes all opened tabs and opens a new tab that leads to a web page of your choice (by default, a Google search page for “Increasing Workplace Productivity” is opened but it can be altered). Using another hotkey, the previously opened sites can be restored easily.

2. Page Title Eraser – Download

Using this Firefox addon, you can quickly hide tab titles and also the favicon of any tab or all tabs. Just press the hotkey combo Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H to hide the current tab title.

3. Tab Renamizer – Download

In just a flash, Tab Renamizer can rename the title of all your inactive tabs with the press of a hotkey (Ctrl+Shift+Z) by replacing it with random words. Otherwise, you can manually rename a tab by using the F2 key.

4. Faviconize Tab – Download

Shows only the favicon of the current website on its tab title. Just do a Ctrl+Shift+Alt and click on the tab title to reduce the tab title bar to show only the favicon.

5. Minimize To Tray – Download

You can use this addon to minimize Firefox to the system tray instead of the taskbar or minimize to the system tray on closing the window. The pity is that this addon doesn’t work in the latest versions of Firefox.

Know of any similar Firefox addons that have saved your privacy in office? Tell us in the comments! Also, make sure that you check out our previous lists of latest and greatest Firefox addons.

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

5 Firefox Addons To Check Out If You Browse Inappropriate Sites From Office

No related posts.

This time around, let’s peep in and check out some recently developed addons for Firefox – most of them are experimental versions that require you to sign up to the Firefox addons site to download and use them (If you don’t want to create an account there, use any of these credentials to login to the site). If some addons are incompatible with your Firefox version, follow these steps to make them compatible.

I’ve spent a good amount of time downloading and installing all these extensions. Some of these addons do have rough edges since they’re just in their nascent stages. Try them at your own risk.

1. FindList – Download

Makes the Ctrl+F find box remember your previous searches. It can save upto 15 old searches. Highly recommended if you frequently research on the internet.

2. SiteLauncher – Download

You can use this addon to quickly open your favourite websites by pressing a hotkey combo (this opens up the launcher) and another unique shortcut key. You can add as many sites as you wish and associate any character on your keyboard with any site. Highly customisable and has good looks.

3. Tweet Reveal – Download

If a twitter profile link is found on a webpage, a small twitter icon appears in the address bar. When clicked, this icon displays their @twitter username which takes you to their twitter page. Just like autodiscovery of RSS feeds, this addon lets you autodiscover twitter users.

4. orbFirefox – Download

If you’re a fan of the orb in MS Office 2007, check out this addon that merges the menu and title bars into an orb button that shows the main menu when pressed. The shortcut for the orb menu is Ctrl+M.

5. Youtube Videos to MP3 – Download

How many times have you viewed your favourite song clip on Youtube and wanted to download it to your computer as an MP3 file? This addon adds a ‘Convert and Download as MP3′ link near Youtube videos. Clicking on the link takes you to a page from where you can download the MP3 version. You’ll have to be patient because the conversion takes some time.

6. HTML2PDF – Download

If you often save copies of web pages for offline viewing, why not try out this extension that converts .htm web pages to PDF format in a matter of seconds? Just click on the status bar icon to convert the current web page into a PDF file which you can then save on your computer.

Want to tell us about any new Firefox addons that you’re using? Use the comment boxes and shout out!

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Six Latest Firefox Addons You Should Check Out

No related posts.

The following Greasemonkey scripts add useful functions to Google’s pages, specifically Web search pages. Have a look at them – they could well improve your productivity.

1. Google Search Sidebar for FF3 – Download

Probably the most useful of all the scripts mentioned here, this script displays a sidebar with relevant content from Wikipedia, YouTube and Flickr when you perform a search on Google. This has been designed to work only on google.com search pages by default, not on your regional search result pages (like google.co.in, etc.)

2. Multi-Column Results – Download

Splits Google search results into multiple columns. It’ll be incredibly useful if you’re on a wide screen monitor. Alt+1/2/3 keys can be used to switch between one, two and three column views.

3. Google Time Search – Download

Shows you options to restrict search results to a specified time period (like 24 hours, past week and so on).

4. Twitter Search on Google Search Pages – Download

There’s nothing like Twitter if you want to know all that you can about some breaking news unfolding in the other part of the world. This Greasemonkey script searches Twitter for your keyword and displays results from Twitter on top of Google search results. If you want Del.icio.us integration, check out this script.

5. Quick Search Bar focus – Download

Google’s homepage is designed in such a way that once it’s completely loaded, the cursor is placed on the search box automatically. This happens only after the page has loaded entirely. Those of you with very slow connections should install this script because once you’ve done that, the cursor is put on the search bar instantly even though the other elements in the page are still loading.

6. Fixed Topbar – Download

This script shows the Google top bar  (a navigation bar with links taking you to Images, News result pages for your current search) even if you scroll down to see further results. It makes it visible all the time, even when you’re scrolling. Saves you a few seconds.

7. Google Media Search – Download

Adds a ‘Music’ link near the Google Search button. When clicked, relevant search operators are added to your Google search so that only music files are shown to you in search results.

Let me know your favourite Greasemonkey scripts that enhance Google search result pages in the comments. The comment boxes are always open for discussion!

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Enhance Google Search Pages with Greasemonkey Scripts

Related posts:

1. Make the most of Google Image Search
2. 15 Useful Greasemonkey Scripts for Del.icio.us Users
3. Add Real Time Search Options to Google Search

5. Chromifox 2 – Download

We were all impressed with Google Chrome’s minimalist looks, weren’t we? Chromifox 2 tries to bring Google Chrome’s look into Firefox. I’d say it does a good job, but of course, your Firefox won’t completely mimic Chrome – it doesn’t hide the title bar et al. A good attempt by the developer. You’ll either love or hate the theme when you first install it.

However, it’s still an experimental addon. You need to sign up on the addons site to install it.

4. HmmXP – Download

Okay, hmmXP is a damn cool theme. It’s compact; but not cramped. It’s not flashy; but it’s pleasing and mildly attractive. The creator says it works very well with low resolution screens although I haven’t given it a try. Mine’s a 1024×768 and it does look great on it. Though it was initially designed to be used with a similar theme for XP itself, it integrates very well with any Windows XP theme.

3. Whitehart – Download

Whitehart is my personal favourite, and it’s a very restrained theme. It lacks bright colours. It’s not shiny. It doesn’t demand attention. But it’s a cosy, white theme that will really impress you. Give it a try, and you will never think of switching to another theme. (Well, at least I didn’t )

Whitehart is also available for Thunderbird. Check out the Thunderbird version here. If you want a similar theme but without the white, check out this Le Breeze theme that’s gray and compact. This doesn’t work with Firefox 3, but who knows the developer may offer an update anytime.

2. Classic Compact – Download

This theme for Firefox takes minimalism to the extreme. Although it may not be aesthetically pleasing to your eyes, it’s a very compact theme that tries to minimize the space consumed by the browser’s interface. It makes icons smaller, squeezes the menu and tab bars and does a lot of other things so that you’ll get maximum room for viewing web pages.

Another similar Firefox theme is miniFox. Unfortunately, it’s not available for Firefox 3.

1. Little Fox – Download

This theme does pretty much the same thing like the Classic Compact theme mentioned above but it’s more advanced than its counterpart. Besides shrinking down the area used by the default Firefox chrome, the Little Fox theme also supports other common extensions like Personas, StumbleUpon, Download Status Bar etc.

What it actually does is that it also minimizes interface usage by these addons. For instance, if you have the StumbleUpon toolbar installed, Little Fox will try and minimize the space used by the toolbar as well.

What’s Your Opinion?

Let’s make it more lively here. Below is a poll, vote for your favourite minimalist Firefox theme or for what you think is the best. If you know of any such simple, minimalist themes for Firefox and think it deserves to be on the list, go ahead and comment. People have different opinions and I’d love to hear yours in the comments section below.

Naysayers can check out these Christmas Themes for Firefox

[Screenshots sourced from the official Firefox addons site]

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

The Best, Minimalist Themes for Firefox

No related posts.

Here’s how you can disable all addons/extensions and run IE 7 or even IE 8 without them:

• Go to Start > Run
• Type iexplore -extoff
• Press Enter

Internet Explorer will now run without any additional functionality from addons and you’ll see a page like this:

If you want to be able to use addons again, you’ll have to close Internet Explorer and then start it again.

Run Firefox Without Extensions

Similarly, if you’re having any problems with Firefox, you could disable addons and run it in safe mode. Here’s how:

• Go to the Run dialog by going to Start > Run
• Type firefox -safe-mode
• A window will popup asking things that you want to disable or reset (eg: reset/disable bookmarks/toolbars, etc.)
• Give the right choices, and press ‘Restart’ for the changes to take effect

Do let us know your questions in the comments.

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

Run Internet Explorer and Firefox without Addons

No related posts.

Snap Links – Download
You must have been in this kind of a situation before: You have to manually click on over tens of links. Time wasted. Save a few seconds and effortlessly open multiple links with Snap Links installed.

Use the right mouse button and drag it over a particular area, the main links get selected and open when the button is released.

Menu Editor – Download
Ok, you have a very customized Firefox installation on your computer. With your favourite addons installed. Tens of them. Each puts something in the right click context menu. That’s clutter, isn’t it? That’s where the Menu Editor extension comes in handy.

Using this addon, it’s possible to rearrange items in the right click menu, and even group them together.

HyperWords – Download
One of the best Firefox extensions out there, that probably deserves more praise. It makes every word on web pages interactive. Basically, after you’ve installed this addon, you have a whole bunch of things on your right click menu.

Select a word, right click, see the plethora of options that Hyperwords gives you. Don’t be taken aback. You can locate meanings of a word by just right clicking hovering over a few menu items. Select a word, click, and go to Google’s top search result page for that term. Select, click, do a shopping search. Locate a place in a map by right clicking on the place name. Possibilities are endless.

Reminder Fox – Download
If you spend the whole day inside Firefox, this is for you.

Reminder Fox can be used to set reminders and to-do lists, and can alert you when you have things to do.

Littlefox – Download
This addon is very useful if you have too many things on your Firefox window occupying a lot of space. LittleFox revamps the Firefox interface once installed, makes elements smaller and leaves a lot of room for viewing web pages. Have a look for yourself:

Must install if you have more than 3 toolbars floating around in the Firefox Window.

Hide Menu Bar – Download
Does anyone use the Firefox Menu Bar? Buttons on the toolbar do most of the jobs for me, so I rarely take the cursor over to the top to access the menu bar. This extension does a neat job of hiding your Firefox Menu Bar.

Gain some screen space, hide the menu bar. On those rare occasions when you need to use the menu bar, don’t panic. Just hold the ALT button and the menu bar appears instantly.

PicLens – Download
Makes browsing through pictures a wonderful experience. When you go to a compatible site like Flickr, click on the Piclens icon near the image.

PicLens transforms the page to a 3D Gallery-Like view. Use your mouse to drag, select and zoom in.

Fission – Download
Used Safari before? Then you might like this addon.

Displays the progress bar inside the address bar – just like you have in Safari.

Tab Effect – Download
Adds 3d Effects to Firefox.

When you switch tabs, a nice 3D cube effect is added.

Tab Scope – Download
Hover over a tab, and you get instant preview of the web page.

You can even navigate inside the preview thumbnail – scroll, zoom and open links.

Add more in the comments! – *Images Courtesy: addons.mozilla.org

Post from: Killer Tech Tips

10 Brilliant Firefox Extensions You Probably Don’t Know About

No related posts.