What The Heck Are… Firefox Extensions?

The Firefox web browser from Mozilla is by far the most heavily used piece of software on my computer. I use it nearly exclusively for browsing the web and only open up Microsoft Internet Explorer on the rare occasion that I need to go to a page that is not viewable in Firefox (Microsoft’s Windows Update page for example). Now, my love affair with Firefox is the result of a number of factors; the clean interface, the fact that is free, open source software, etc. But, my favorite thing about Firefox (and the thing that will probably keep me from switching to any other browser anytime soon) is the large number of “extensions” (or “add-ons”) that are available for it.

So, What Are Extensions/Add-ons?

The unique thing about Firefox, compared to another browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer for example, is that it is distributed under an open-source license. Without getting too technical, this basically means that the main code that is used to create the program is freely available to everyone and anyone is allowed to modify or add on to that code. This enables people to create alternative versions of the program and also to develop 3rd party software that run as part of/inside of Firefox much more easily. That, basically, is what extensions are; small little programs that, when installed, become part

Free Legal MP3 Music!!

In case you were wondering…yes, there is FREE, LEGAL music out there that you can download without having an executive from the music industry or Lars Ulrich from Metalicca show up at your door with a subpeona. This music is 100% free and legal for you to download and all the songs are in a DRM-free mp3 format.

Download.com has had free music on their site for quite a while now. Check out the link to have a look at their “Ipod Starter Kit” for some great, free music. Once you done there, keep looking around the site and you might find some more music you like! I personally have a ton of music of my iPod from download.com’s music section.

How do you like that Lars?!

Ipod Starter Kit

Favorite Firefox Extensions

The best thing about Firefox are the extensions and there are thousands of them available for it. You can easily spend hours and hours and hours browsing through the Firefox webpage, seeing what is available. I know, I’ve done it! Now, you can either do the same (you don’t have anything better to do, right?) or you can save some time by taking a look at the list I’ve put together of some of the extensions that I found to be the most useful for me. This is, by far, not the definitive list of extensions available. You will likely still find many more that are useful for you, but at least this way, some of the work has already been done for you. Pick the ones you like and search through the Firefox site for any others that work for you. (For a explanation of what extensions are, see the PC explainer article on Firefox Extensions).

Broadband Speed Test and Diagnostics – Easily find out the true download & upload speed of your connection, your IP address and your domain name along with several other good network diagnostic tools right from your menu bar.

Dictionary Tooltip – Find out the definition of any word on a web-page by simply by highlighting it, then right-clicking. EXTREMELY useful when reading technical pages!

Skype

Skype is probably one of the best programs to come out in 2006 and is still a great one. Basically, it is a chat & calling program that allows you to make FREE calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world. No matter who you are trying to stay in touch with, just download Skype and you guys talk for free. Even if the other person doesn’t have Skype, you can still use it to make cheap calls to normal phones with SkypeOut. There is a charge for this service, but you can get

HELP! HOW DO I STOP MY KID FROM LOOKING AT PORN!?

The issue of pornography is one that any parent of a teenage child worries about. Technology forums, newsgroups and radio shows constantly have worried parents posing the question to them, “How do I stop my child from looking at pornography on his/her computer?” This question is probably the very reason you are reading this article. Well, I’m going to give you my opinion on what you should do, but I warn you, you’re probably not going to like it.

So, How Do I Stop My Child From Looking At This Filth!?

Well, to be entirely honest, I don’t think you can. You are on this site, asking radio hosts & calling your internet service provider because you want a technological solution to the problem. It sounds reasonable, right? Technology is what they use to access the pornography, so there must be a technological solution to it. Unfortunately, it is not quite that simple. In this situation, I don’t think technology is the answer. That is not to say there aren’t a thousand products out there designed to stop your child from accessing porn, and you can spend thousands upon thousands of dollars trying them, but in the end, they probably will only put a hurdle up for your child instead of a brick wall. If they really want to access porn, I promise you, they will.