By L. Fabry

Researchers are utilizing the ever increasing amount of information on the internet in record numbers. As a result, the need for help in sifting through this massive heap is growing as well. Visit the below 100 sites to find the best in add-ons, guides, help in general, and more.

General Help

These sites are ideal for those looking for basic help with Firefox, as well as news, updates, and reviews.

1. Firefox Add-ons: This is the official page from Mozilla, containing tons of add-ons. They even have recommendations and installation tips.

2. Learn Firefox: This site is a visual guide to this web browser. No topic is left unturned on this site that offers help on themes, extensions, tabs, add-ons, and much more.

3. Firefox Facts: This site is devoted to keeping you up to date on Firefox. The “Best Firefox Facts of December 2008” article is full of tips, such as how to pick a custom theme, turn your browser into an arcade, and even how to hack your way into the program.

4. Asa Dotzler: Asa is a programmer for Mozilla and knows a great deal about Firefox. In his blog, he posts regularly about how to utilize this program and gives advice.

5. Mozilla Add-ons Blog: This is the official blog for Mozilla add-ons, including Firefox. The posts are divided into categories, so you can easily find the add-on information you are looking for, as well as instructional videos.

6. Firefox Extension Guru’s Blog: The Guru has been using, testing, and crashing Firefox since 2005. In his blog, you will find the latest updates, as well as many tips.

7. Mozilla Links: This site is full of tips for users and also contains news and reviews. Learn how to delete sites, keyboard shortcuts, and more on this helpful site.

8. Learn More About the Firefox Browser: Wendy Boswell takes you through the basics of Firefox including features, security, the toolbar, and more. There are also links to articles on how to install, hack, and learn more about the browser.

Articles and Guides

Read the below for the top tricks of Firefox, as well as tweaks, hacks, and the latest in guides.

9. 15 Coolest Firefox Tricks Ever: Leo shows you how to become a Firefox “Jedi” using shortcuts, navigation, and more in this easy to read article.

10. Top Tips and Tricks: This is a review from “PC Magazine” that shows users how to get the best out of Firefox. Learn how to import data from other browsers, customize your homepages, and more.

11. 15 Must-Have Firefox Tricks: Anyone doing research or even surfing for fun should give this a read. It teaches you how to customize, hack, and utilize Firefox to the fullest.

12. Five Firefox Tips You May Not Know About: Learn how to improve on Firefox with these five easy tips. MakeUseOf shows you how to delete visited URL’s, navigate, download, grab protected files, and do instant searches.

13. Top Firefox Tips and Tricks That Are Best To Speed Up Internet Surfing: Brain Nelson shares ways to utilize Firefox to speed internet searching. He shows readers how to use shortcuts, tags, smart folders, programs, as well as various tweaks.

14. Power User’s Guide to Firefox 3: Provided by Lifehacker, this guide is for those who are already up to speed on the basics of this browser. It digs deeper to uncover shortcuts, tweaks, tricks, and customizations.

15. Firefox Tweak Guide: Provided by TweakGuides, this will show you how to vastly improve the performance of Firefox 3.0. It is divided into chapters that include essential optimization, settings, features, add-ons, and advanced tweaking.

16. Firefox 2 Tweak Guide: For those who prefer the older version, this guide will show you how to set up and maximize your browser. With an index to choose from, you can tweak your profile, tabs, and learned advanced techniques.

17. Mozilla Firefox Browser Guide: If you are new to Firefox, this guide is a must. It explains the basics, as well as specialized features, and even shows you how to custom Firefox to your personal preference.

18. Firefox Tips and Tricks: This comprehensive list is ordered in the level of expertise required, from the easiest to the hardest. Learn everything from simple keyboard commands to configure commands.

Best Add-ons

Researchers know that add-ons are essential for saving time, logging searches, and improving the overall experience of your browser. Below is a list of must have extensions for Firefox.

20. Mystickies: Ideal for those whose desk is cluttered with post-it notes. With this add-on, you can convert them into digital notes to attach to any website.

21. Scrapbook: Use this add-on to save visited web pages. You can also organize your collection of pages for easy access.

22. Tab Mix Plus: This feature enhances Firefox’s browsing capabilities to cut down on research time. Use tools such as duplicate tabs, tab focus, clicking options, and undo closed tabs.

23. Session Manager: This add-on saves and restores your Firefox session automatically at startup and after crashes. It is also helpful in restoring accidentally closed tabs.

24. PDF Download: Do whatever you like with pdf files on the web without having to open Acrobat. View them directly in Firefox as HTML, regain control, and use the all-new Web-to-PDF toolbar to save and share as high-quality files.

25. Foxy Tunes: This add-on is ideal for those who want to listen to music while researching. You can control just about any media player from your browser, as well as find lyrics and covers.

26. Cacheout!: Designed specifically for Digg and Slashot users who are searching for a closed article. Cacheout! will search for these articles through Google and CoralCDN.org.

27. Paste and Go 2: This shortcut allows you to paste text, load into URL, and search all in one command. For use with Firefox 1.5 and 2.0.0.

28. DictionarySearch: If you ever come across an unfamiliar term during a search, this add-on is ideal. Simply highlight the word, right click it, and DictionarySearch will look it up using the online dictionary of your choice.

29. Print PDF: If your computer does not have this option, then Print PDF will allow you to print web pages to pdf. For use only with Firefox 3.0 – 3.1b3.

30. Firefox Universal Uploader: Using a simple interface, this extension allows to upload and download files from your favorite websites. Sites supporting it are updated constantly and include flickr, YouTube, facebook, and many more.

31. ScribeFire Blog Editor: This add-on is ideal for those who blog as they research. By integrating with Firefox, you can drag and drop text, take notes, upload images, and post directly to multiple blogs.

32. LinkedIn Companion: This is essential for those who use this online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals. With LinkedIn Companion, you can view the profiles of anyone sending you mail, access your network from anywhere, bookmark profiles, and find job postings.

33. Find In Tabs: Ideal for those researchers using multiple tabs. If you forget which tab had a particular subject, use this add-on to find text in any Firefox tab.

34. Update Scanner: This add-on is perfect for researchers who hate visiting the same page, only to find it is identical as last time they visited. Update Scanner automatically tells you when a webpage you are interested in is updated.

35. Text Size Toolbar: Have trouble reading the tiny text on some sites? Then download this add-on and increase or decrease text size with the click of a button.

36. All-In-One Sidebar: Inspired by Opera’s, this sidebar control gives you easy access to all your panels. It lets you quickly switch between sidebar panels, view dialog windows such as downloads, add-ons, and more in the sidebar.

37. Morning Coffee: This add-on is really handy for those who read sites that update on a regular schedule such as webzines or weekly columns. Morning Coffee organizes websites by day and opens them simultaneously as part of your daily routine.

38. Lexmark Toolbar: This useful extension improves web printing by removing the unwanted such as banners, ads, etc. Essential for those looking to save ink and paper.

For Better Searches

Online searching is a cornerstone of the researcher’s day. Use the below to get the most out of Firefox’s search capabilities.

39. Googlebar Lite: A must for anyone doing web research. This lightweight toolbar gives you twelve types of searches, the ability to customize, and much more.

40. Customize Google: This amazing Firefox extension enhances Google search results by adding extra information from Yahoo, Ask.com, MSN, etc. as well as removing ads and spam. This site also offers an instructional video to help you maximize your usage.

41. GooglePreview: Get previews of websites after using a google search to see if it is worth visiting without navigating away. This add-on also gives popularity ranks and is compatible with Yahoo.

42. Mycroft Project: Add thirty popular search plug ins with this one add-on. Utilize searches such as Yahoo, eBay, Lycos, Altavista, and more.

43. BetterSearch: Designed to enhance Google, Yahoo, MSN, Delicious, and more by adding features. These include previews, the option to open in new window, site info, links, and a quick preview feature to the search results.

45. ErrorZilla Plus: This add-on is perfect for users who are sick of seeing the same error page over and over. ErrorZilla will replace that page with help from Google Cache, Wayback, and many more.

46. Breadcrumbs: A search engine for your personal browsing history, Breadcrumbs saves your visited pages. It also allows you to search your pages from a toolbar and stores data locally to protect your privacy.

47. Googlepedia: A useful add-on for those who would like to see the Wikipedia entry that goes with their search. You can also click on links in the article to start new searches.

48. StumbleUpon: This add-on searches for web sites based on your interests and gives you recommendations. You will be able to share and discover new sites with this browsing tool.

49. City Info Search: With this add-on, you can highlight a city name, right click, and choose “get info.” You will be provided with all the information about any city, including geography, population, ethnic composition, housing, climate, etc.

50. Ressurect Pages: Dead pages and broken links are no longer a problem with this add-on. It searches caches and archives that mirrored the content while it was available, so that in many cases you can still retrieve the information.

51. NextPlease: Hate hitting the Back button to go to the next item searched? Utilize this add-on to continue searches without reloading pages, and utilize its customizable shortcuts.

Appearance

Sitting at a computer all day viewing the same screen can get monotonous. Utilize the following applications to turn Firefox into a work of art.

52. Cooliris: Sick of the same old two dimensional view? Then use this add-on to transform Firefox and other browsers into a stunning three-dimensional experience.

53. FoxTab: View tabs like never before with this amazing 3D organizer. With five eye candy layouts to choose from, FoxTab takes the tabbed-browsing experience to a new level.

54. Colorful Tabs: Perfect for users who constantly use multiple tabs and are confused as to which is which. This add-on will assign colors to each tab as well as improve appearance.

55. IE Tab: A useful add-on for those working with both Internet Explorer and Firefox. It allows you to view IE only pages in Firefox.

56. Reveal: This add-on allows you to see thumbnails of pages in your session history and quickly find the page you want instead of looking at the same search results. Perfect for those who want to view previous pages without having to search for them.

57. gTranslate: Have you found an interesting website, but don’t speak the language? Use gTranslate to convert to or from English, French, German, Arabic, Spanish, and many others.

58. Smart Bookmarks: If your browser’s bookmark space is over full, give this add-on a try. It displays bookmarks by icon only, saving you a ton of space and gives the name of the bookmark by scrolling your mouse over it.

59. Fashion Your Firefox: When you visit this Mozilla page, you can choose from a number of options that target specific browsing personalities. Select a profile, such as Finder and Seeker, Shutterbug, News Junkie, and others, and FYF displays a selection of the most popular and relevant add-ons.

60. AnyColor: With this easy to install program you can change the color of your Firefox browser. Evolve from basic gray to an array of colors to increase the aesthetic appeal.

For Speed

Waiting around for your computer to process while you have a ton of work to do can be immensely frustrating. Use the following tweaks and add-ons to maximize your speed.

61. FlashGot: Using the most popular, lightweight and reliable external download managers, this add-on will download all the links, video, and audio clips of a page at the maximum speed with a single click. Perfect for researchers who don’t want to waste time watching a progress bar.

62. DownloadHelper: With this add-on, you can easily save videos from some of the most popular video sites, as well as capture all the images from a gallery in a single operation. The site also offers a manual, video tutorials, and an installation guide.

63. DownThemAll: This download manager features an advanced accelerator that increases speed up to 400%. The only program of its kind built for Firefox, it allows you to pause and resume downloads at any time.

64. iMacros: Automating Firefox is ideal for those who would like to record and replay repetitious work. If you are tired of tasks like visiting the same sites every days, filling out forms, and remembering passwords, then let iMacros do it for you.

65. All-in-One Gestures: This extension allows you to perform commands by using mouse gestures, rocker navigation, scroll wheel navigation, and page scrolling. Perfect for those who don’t have time for point and click or keyboard shortcuts.

66. Adblock Plus: Web page taking too long to download? Then install this program and view pages without any of the annoying and bulky ads.

67. Linky: If opening a long lists of links is annoying, then this add-on is for you. With Linky you can open or download all selected links, image links, and even web addresses found in the text as separate tabs or windows.

68. Clear Cache Button: Computer running slow? Try this application that offers a clear cache option in one single and easy click.

69. Fasterfox: This add-on claims to recycle idle bandwidth for maximum speed. It also contains a tweak feature, page load timer, and popup blocker.

70. BugMeNot: For those who hate to sign in or remember passwords, BugMeNot will help. By right clicking a user name or password, this add-on will automatically log you in.

71. Cleeki: Select any text on your screen, and Cleeki can search, share, publish, and preview results in the same page. With this add-on, there is no change of appearance, no unwanted tab switching, and no unpleasant popups.

72. InFormEnter: Are you sick of constantly entering your information, for example when ordering something online or registering? Then use this application to automatically enter items such as name, address, and more.

73. AutoPager: This extension automatically loads the next page of a site inline when you reach the end of the current page. With this helpful program, you can save time by choosing which pages to visit and which to avoid.

Saving and Citing

For those doing research, it is crucial to save searches as well as cite your work. Learn how to do it the easy way, by using the resources below.

74. FireShot: Have important information on Firefox that can’t be copied? Then download this add-on to capture complete or partial screenshots.

75. Read It Later: If you have ever been torn between bookmarking a page or navigating away from it, this add-on is ideal. It saves the pages you would like to get back to and gives you the option of reading them offline.

76. Clipmarks: Instead of using pesky bookmarks, you can literally cut sections of websites and paste wherever you like with this add-on. The clips are saved on clipmarks.com and can contain text, images, and even video.

77. Zotero: This add-on is essential for those who need to collect, manage, and cite research sources. Once activated, you can use Zotero at any website to store and organize pdfs, files, images, links, and more.

78. FireFTP: This add-on allows you to easy access to FTP servers. This browser based client lets you connect without having to launch a separate program.

79. CiteGenie: This tool allows you to copy and paste text with correctly formatted Bluebook citations. Use with Westlaw, Lexis, and Wikipedia support.

80. OpenURL Referrer: This browser extension that can take certain kinds of citations on the web and convert them to direct links to one of your local library’s databases. It can produce links for Google Scholar Results, Google News Archive, or Web COinS.

81. Lib X: This plug in provides direct access to your library’s resources, with over 570 libraries who have created public editions. LibX is an open source framework from which editions for specific libraries can be built.

Security and Privacy

Nothing ruins research like viruses, bugs, and crashes. Avoid them with the help of these useful add-ons.

82. WOT: The Web of Trust warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware, or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats when browsing in unfamiliar territory by installing WOT.

83. Better Privacy: This is a super-cookie safeguard which protects from usually undeletable LSO’s (Flash-Cookies) or DOM Storage Objects. It blocks long term tracking on Google, YouTube Ebay and many other domains.

84. Stealther: Ideal for those who want to surf suspicious sites without leaving a trace. Turn on Stealther to temporarily disable history, cookies, and others to surf with security.

85. Password Exporter: Have trouble remembering passwords or are always changing them? This extension allows you to export passwords and save them locally and safely.

86. FoxyProxy: An advanced proxy management tool, FoxyProxy completely replaces Firefox’s limited proxying capabilities. It also offers more features than other programs such as animated icons, advanced logging, QuickAdd, and is available in over 25 languages.

87. Lazarus: Automatically save all forms for easy retrieval without revisiting sites. Lazarus securely saves every form as you type it, and can also recover a form if a problem arises.

88. Dr. Web Anti-Virus Checker: This plug-in is immensely useful for examining sites for viruses before you visit them. With Dr. Web, you can check the status of every page you visit, as well as all downloads.

89. QuickProxy: Turn the proxy on and off with a single click by installing this add-on. Ideal for those who use Firefox with different proxy states.

90. Redirect Remover: This add-on will help you bypass the redirect page and go straight to where you clicked. Perfect for those looking for both speed and safety.

91. SecurePassword Generator: With this random generator, no one will ever be able to guess your password again. Use it when logging into sites to stay secure by finding it on the tools menu.

92. Secure Login: This application works instantly with no configuration needed. Login with one click or a keyboard shortcut to multiple sites with this helpful tool.

93. Quick Java: Upon installation, users will can enable or disable Java with the click of a mouse. This is ideal for visiting script heavy sites that can slow your computer down.

94. CS Lite: This extension is perfect for those looking to easily allow, block, or temporarily allow a site to set cookies. You can also view, clear or edit the cookies and exceptions by right clicking on the icon.

95. Malware Search: Developed by URLHadToDie, this plug-in is used in conjunction with HijackThis. Right click a word to search several malware databases and view the results.

96. buySAFE Shopping Advisor: For those looking to make secure purchases over the internet, give this add-on a try. It gives users exclusive access to the Safe Shopping Portal where purchases are automatically protected with a guarantee of up to $25,000 as well as identity theft insurance for free.

97. Targeted Advertising Cookie Opt-Out: TACO sets permanent, generic, non personally identifiable opt-out cookies in the user’s browser. These prevent 28 different online advertising networks from collecting information on that user.

98. KidZui: For children conducting research, use this add-on to turn the internet into a safer, child-friendly place. Professionals, parents, and teachers review content so your kids can surf independently.

99. Ghostery: Turn the tables on websites who are watching you with this add-on. It will alert you to web bugs, ad networks, and widgets on every page you visit.

100. NoScript: Winner of the “2006 PC World Class Award,” this tool alerts you about the web bugs, ad networks, and widgets on every page on the web. It allows JavaScript and other executable content to run only from trusted domains of your choice, guarding you against cross-site scripting attacks and Clickjacking attempts.

With more and more researchers utilizing the web and Firefox, tips, tricks, and tweaks will become increasingly valuable. Stay safe, fast, and efficient by utilizing the above and get your work done better than ever.