Firefox is a fantastic browser, and THE  choice for what browser to use.
This because of its speed and safety, but also for its amazing abillity to be customized (Installing extra Features "Extensions")

With this guide, I will help you make Firefox even better

If you have Improvements or suggestions, please note them down at my guestbook.





Sections

1. Tweaks
2. Extensions
3. Tips


Tweaks

1. Use small icons.
Right click on the top bar -> Customize -> Use Small icons

2. Turn of bookmarks toolbar
Right click on the top bar -> Uncheck «bookmarks toolbar»


3. Turn of the X on the tabs

Write «About Config» in the address bar -> double click «browser.tabs.closebuttons» -> write 2

(if you have a mouse with a third mouse button (pressing the scroll wheel down)

you can close tabs (and open links) with it. so if you have this... you do not need the X's on the tabs
(I find it to be in the way of my browsing, I sometimes click the X's by accident)

4. Open Firefox Searches in new tab

Write «About:Config» in the address bar -> double click «browser.search.openintab» -> chose to «true»

5. Remove cache and temporary files automatic

Tools -> Options -> Private ->
Check «Always clear my private data when I close Firefox»
Uncheck «Ask me before clearing personal data»
Press «Settings» Check all the items you want cleared everytime you exit Firefox, probably everything except possible Passwords, if you store passwords in Firefox.

6. (Speaking of) Password storing in Firefox

Tools -> Options -> Security -> Create Master Password.

Extensions

  • Adblock Plus
    Block advertisement, commercials etc
    (Remember to unblock the Google ads and referrals on this page to support me and Google for free)

  • Customize Google
    Gives you many options to customize many Google features to your choice

  • Better Gmail
    Better Gmail 2
    Pretty self explanatory (Enable the superclean skin, looks amazing)
    Use version 2, if you're using the new look/Features of Gmail

  • Google Preview
    Gives you the ability to preview pages before you enter them, on Google search

  • DownThemAll
    Download manager for Firefox (ability to download all / is faster than ordinary downloader

  • Locationbar²
    Emphasizes the domain name and decodes the URLs for better readability

  • Del.icio.us
    Reach your bookmarks from anywhere, with this external bookmarking extension

  • Perma Tabs
    Lock tabs to your choice, so to say «permanent tabs»

  • Greasemonkey
    Lets you install various scripts on various pages (You find scripts at: Userscripts.org)

    Scripts I find useful:

    Isohunt.com - cleanup
    download.com - cleanup
    piratebay.org - adblocked & Tweaked
    gmail with different attachment icons
    btjunkie.org cleaner
    Google Video - Maximum Space!
    Blogger Large Post Editor
    Rapidshare Bundle
    Megaupload Deceit
    Demonoid Ad Remover
    Mininova Plus
    youtube prevent autoplay
    youtube better titles
    youtube better embed
    youtube resizer

  • NoScript
    Run Javascript only when needed (This makes browsing far more safe and faster)

  • Dictionaries
    Great if you ever write on forums or guestbooks etc.
    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    OpenSearchFox
    Add any search engine, from any page, to your searchbar

TIPS
Hotkeys

CTRL + T= Open new Tab

CTRL + TAB = View next tab

Ctrl + Shift + Tab = Move to previous Tab


Ctrl + D= Bookmark current tab

Ctrl + Shift +T Undo Closed Tab

Alt + D = Select Address Bar

Ctrl + F = Search on page

CTRL + Mousewheel Up/Down = Increases / Decreases the size of the text on the current page