Challenge #12 - Browser Add-ons/Extensions

Pimp Your Browser

Ever wish there was a faster way to get to some of your favorite sites from anywhere on the Web? Wish you could download that YouTube video with little hassle? Wish you could customize the way your browsers looks? Wish you could block those pesky ads? Wish you could grab images, zoom in, screen capture, highlight text, or translate text with a simple click in your browser? Stop wishing! You can!

Browser add-ons or extensions allow you to customize your Internet browser. But be warned...just like adding stuff to your iGoogle page, finding and adding extensions is addicting!

Different Strokes for Different Folks

You may already have a preferred Web browser, but be aware that some offer more choices than others as far as number and variety of extensions or add-ons available. Firefox currently offers the greatest selection with over 1,000. Safari has a handful at about 39 available here. And Google Chrome (which is quite awesome even in the beta form, by the way) is currently working on their Mac add-ons, so we'll have to be patient. Given those numbers, it would probably be wise to use Firefox when exploring add-ons for this challenge; but browser choice is really a personal preference, so do what you will.

This just in: (2/12/10) Google Chrome now has extensions/add-ons available for Mac. Download Google Chrome here and find the extensions here.

Here's a peek at my Firefox browser today: (pretty tiny here, so just click on it to see a larger view)

It may change tomorrow...you never know.

Our Challenge to You:

• Open the browser of your choice and explore the add-ons available. Click here for Firefox, here if you're using Safari, or here if you're using Chrome. Look through the recommended add-ons or top-downloaded for suggestions.
  
• When you find one that looks useful, download it. Restart your browser for the new add-on to be functional.
• Depending on the add-on you've chosen, you may be prompted to fill in some preferences/settings upon opening the browser again.
• In your blog, list the add-ons that you've installed and post a screenshot of your browser toolbar. (use command+shift+4 to take a picture...or if you installed the capture screen add-on, use that!)

Points of Discussion for your Blog:

• Do you think add-ons will add to or detract from your browsing experience? Explain.
• Did you have difficulty using any of the add-ons you installed? Explain.
• Do you think you'll make use of add-ons? Why or why not?

Take it a Step Further: (optional)

• Share an add-on you found interesting, promising, or useful to your blog or FB using the share tools.

Want to Know More?

10 Useful Firefox Add-ons for Almost Everybody by Web Worker Daily
Top Ten Safari Plugins by Mashable