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 -> Privacy ->
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. Password storing in Firefox

Tools -> Options -> Security -> Create Master Password.
If you store passwords in Firefox, be aware that anyone that uses your computer can look at what passwords your firfox stores, unless you password protects them with a 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



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

  • Ubiquity
    Enable commands in firefox, (you have to see it to believe it) Possible integrated in firefox 3.5

  • Weave
    Synchronize your firefox's bookmarks, password, history, cache etc

  • 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.
    _______________________________________________________________________________________________

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