| Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser still | | | | ** SpeedDial ** Everyone uses bookmarks or |
| rates as the most popular and widely used | | | | "favorites" at one point or another. But those who |
| browser for one simple reason: it rides along with | | | | use them frequently create a problem for |
| every Windows installation. | | | | themselves. Every time you want to log on to |
| But in response to security scares over the last | | | | your favorite sites, you must wade through |
| few years, another browser took a bite out of | | | | dozens, hundreds, even thousands of links to find |
| Microsoft's monopoly. | | | | what you want. |
| FireFox often represents the browser of choice | | | | Enter the "SpeedDial" add-on that helps you |
| for those who either dislike Microsoft (for | | | | organize your most frequently used websites into |
| whatever reason), or want more flexibility and | | | | a "dashboard" you can customize. You can even |
| functionality in their browser, specifically in the | | | | organize multiple speed dial directories around |
| area of add-ons (also know as "plugins"). | | | | groups of web pages (business resources, |
| Add-ons (little programs that enhance a web | | | | shopping sites, etc.). |
| browser's functionality) can trick out your | | | | ** FireFTP ** Anyone who owns a website |
| browser to help you do everything from upload | | | | needs the ability to upload files to their hosting |
| website files to speed dialing your favorite | | | | account. You can either install a standalone FTP |
| websites. | | | | program, or you can use this nifty little browser |
| The overwhelming majority of add-ons for | | | | add-on that turns FireFox into a neat little FTP |
| FireFox come free of charge (though donations | | | | utility. |
| are appreciated). Just log on to and check out the | | | | "FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP |
| free add-ons you can snag. | | | | client for Mozilla Firefox which provides easy and |
| Note that once you get to the page, the little | | | | intuitive access to FTP servers." I really found this |
| programs you can run with FireFox are under the | | | | add-on helpful in my own business when it comes |
| "extensions" link. Here are a few of our favorites | | | | to fast access to the files on my websites. |
| here in my office - just search for them by | | | | ** Download Statusbar ** One annoying feature |
| name once you log on to the Mozilla site (or use | | | | of Firefox involves the download window that |
| the links below). | | | | opens up every time you download a file from |
| ** Forecastfox ** "Get international weather | | | | the web. This can get in the way and actually |
| forecasts from AccuWeather.com, and display it | | | | disrupt your activity. |
| in any toolbar or statusbar with this highly | | | | Enter the "Download Statusbar" add-on, which |
| customizable and unobtrusive extension." That's a | | | | promises "View and manage downloads from a |
| fancy way of saying you can always know what | | | | tidy statusbar - without the download window |
| the weather reports say just by glancing down at | | | | getting in the way of your web browsing." |
| your browser's lower right corner. | | | | Even though this add-on does make downloading |
| This makes very handy tool to keep an eye out | | | | more convenient, make sure to read the |
| for thunderstorms or remind yourself that a | | | | instructions before using it just to make sure you |
| sunny day awaits when you finish up a marathon | | | | don't get frustrated. |
| session on your computer. | | | | |