14 Best Firefox Plugins For A Better Browsing Experience

This is a guest post by James Adams. If you want to guest post on this blog, just drop me a message using the Contact page.

It goes without saying that Mozilla Firefox is among the most popular of browsers, if it is not simply the number one among the others. This is especially true for web developers, designers and folks who just generally enjoy convenience in their browsing experience. It does not get this top spot alone, though – with the ability to upload a library of different extensions and a very active community, Firefox always has something to offer its users. This list shows some of the essential extensions to obtain.

1. Web Developer: This extension offers a toolbar for web developers. It inspects the CSS within the active page and offers the present attributes, as well as the different styles that affect them.
2. SeoQuake: Optimize your web page for the major search engines. Also in the form of a toolbar, this extension offers various advantageous phrases you may employ to help your website become well known.
3. Window Resizer 1.0: Quickly and accurate resize the resolution of your window. This is essential in determining whether your website will work on any other computer, or you may wish to use it to optimize your own viewing experience.
4. FireShot: This addon allows screenshots to be made of any web page. However, it differs from the typical “Print Screen” function in that it automatically offers a brand of different annotation and manipulation tools. This can be used to create works for a portfolio.
5. Firebug: The ultimate tool for development, this extension offers a wealth of different tools, such as those which allow you debug, edit, explore and monitor your JavaScript, HTML and CSS in real time for any active web page.
6. Greasemonkey: Modify the way your websites load using little bits of JavaScript. There are literally hundreds available for download.
7. ColorZilla: This is one of the more simple and useful extensions in all of the Firefox library. If you have ever needed to know a specific color code, an eyedropper in your status bar can save you the trouble.
8. FireFTP: This streamlined extension allow users to upload their files onto their server. One major advantage it has over other FTP applications is its ability to be installed on any major platform, and it retains the same functionality as well.
9. IE Tab: This is a truly essential extension for the standard Internet user and for web developers alike. For the former, it can trick a website into allowing you to access it without closing out of Firefox. For the latter, it can enable developers to conveniently see how your coding is handled by the less popular web browser.
10. Palette Grabber: This handy tool lets users build color themes which can later be exported to any major photo manipulation, such as Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, Fireworks, GIMP and Paint.NET. The theme can be comprised of the website you are currently in the middle of viewing.
11. Font Finder 0.5c: This addon allows you to highlight any portion of the web page and extract the information regarding its styling, but only of that highlighted block.
12. Total Validator: This extension is a validation tool that comes with many different features in one, allowing users to take screenshots, check the HTML, check the links and much, much more. Check up on your broken links, misspelled words and take a screen capture by way of various different operating systems and web browsers to get a full understanding on the way your web page will look.
13. Platypus: This is arguably the best extension available to modify any web page. It offers a “what you see is what you get” mechanic that functions well with the Greasemonkey addon. Additionally, it comes with the added convenience of remembering the edits you have made for the next time you visit the website.
14. Dummy Lipsum: This is a simple add on with a simple purpose; it generates the famous Lorem Ipsum dummy text for filler.

About the author: During his time as a writer at a leading UK based ink cartridges supplier, James has written on a massive range of subjects covering everything from CLT-P4092C toner to the latest developments in hardware and design.

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