Firefox Web Browser

Firefox is a highly popular free web browser from Mozilla. It has brought many innovations such as tabbed browsing (opening new sites in a tabbed window, rather than opening another instance of Firefox). Additionally many fans have written custom scripts to enhance Firefox's functionality. Firefox comes in versions for the Mac and also Firefox Portable, which installs and runs from a USB drive.

Allow popups from specific websites

Although popups have become a nuisance on most sites - leading to popup 'blockers' being built into modern web browsers, some websites use popups for legitimate purposes. One example is PebblePad's ePortfolio system, which uses a popup window for file uploads.

Rather than turning the browser's popup blocker off, it is possible to tell Firefox to allow popups from specific websites only. In Firefox, go to Tools | Options .. (screenshot).

• In the Options window, click on the Content button at the top.
• Next to Block pop-up windows click on the Exceptions button..
• In the Allowed Sites - Pop-ups window, type in the base URL of the website to allow popups from..
• Finally click the Allow button and then Close and OK (screenshot).

Stop websites resizing the Firefox window

Some websites written by, well let's face it, control freaks include code which changes the size of the Firefox viewing window. This really shits me to tears. Here's how stop it happening..

• Mac/Linux users: Click Edit > Preferences. Windows users: Tools > Options
• Go to the Content Tab
• To the right of "Enable Javascript," hit "Advanced..."
• Uncheck "Move or resize existing windows"

Firefox Addons

Another great reason to use this web browser is that people from all over the place develop plugins which add extra functionality to the Firefox interface - for free!

Addon: Resize Firefox windows on the fly

You may wish to be able to resize the Firefox window yourself, to standard resolution sizes (screenshot). This is particularly handy for web designers who wish to check how their sites render at different resolutions. Get the window resizer from Firefox Addons..

Other favourite addons

Xmarks - keep your bookmarks and (optionally) passwords backed up and synchronized. Access them from any Firefox browser on any system.

Menu Editor - Customize application menus. Rearrange or remove menu items from the main context menu (right-click menu) and main menubar (File Edit View etc.).

Adobe Flash - not an add-on in the strictest sense, but the Adobe Flash Player lets you play various media embedded in websites..