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Ask Slashdot: Most Useful Browser Extensions?

Posted by Soulskill on from the still-waiting-on-an-extension-that-makes-me-lunch dept.

An anonymous reader writes: One of the most powerful features of modern browsers is the ability to install third-party extensions. They allow third-party developers to work on really useful niche functionality, and let users customize their browser with the tools they need. Unfortunately, this environment has the same discover-ability and security problems as standalone software. Thus, my question: what are your most useful (and safe) browser extensions? I can't live without some privacy basics like NoScript, AdBlock, and Ghostery. I also find FoxyProxy helpful for getting around geolocation requirements for media streaming. OneTab works pretty well for saving groups of browser tabs, and Pushbullet keeps getting better at managing my phone while I'm at my PC.

11 of 353 comments (clear)

  1. Browser Makers Should Get The Message by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A lot of these addons have millions of downloads. Perhaps browser makers need to get the message and include popular functionality that people want.

    1. Re:Browser Makers Should Get The Message by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I almost always want the new tab to open in the back. I'm usually opening shit that I want to read after I finish whatever I'm currently reading.

    2. Re:Browser Makers Should Get The Message by JMJimmy · · Score: 5, Informative

      As well, why not have a neutral platform you can build on to your needs instead of introducing bloat that only some people will like/use.

      Firefox:
        - AdBlock Plus + Element Hiding Helper
        - Chatzilla (IRC Chat)
        - FireFTP
        - SnapLinks Plus (right click multi-link select/copy/open)
        - Firebug
        - HTTPS Everywhere
        - Quickdrag (drag drop links into white space to open in new tab, drag drop images to download them)
        - SQLite Manager (manually browse and fix Mozilla's privacy blunders)
        - TableTools2 (manage table data when site options don't offer it)
        - YouTube HD (forces specific sizes when possible)
        - Live HTTP Headers (see what's really being sent)

  2. Hola by X10 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hola internet is the most useful plugin. It helps me watch video's from the US, Canada and the UK that are limited to their respective countries. I wonder, I have BBC on my TV, I can rightfully watch any BBC program, but I can't use the service on the bbc web site to watch it a day later. With Hola, I can.

    --
    no, I don't have a sig
  3. Adblock by master_kaos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Adblock is the 2nd thing I install on a fresh install (right after Chrome)
    I had the misfortune of having to use a computer that did not have it installed. The internet pretty much seemed unusable.

    1. Re:Adblock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I had the same experience. I actually tried to give no ad blocker a chance but so many of the websites I tried to go to would not load in a reasonable amount of time. At first I just stopped following links, but eventually a case came up where really wanted to know what was said on the other side... so installed the ad blocker. It is very strange behavior to make your page unreadable due to advertisements.

  4. Clearly AdBlock by GroeFaZ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While I do regret the real financial consequences for creators whose content I consume and appreciate, the annoyance factor and sometimes security risks of online advertising far outstrip my capacity for caring. Pure text ads would be fine by me, but as soon as ads start screaming at me audio-visually, I turn them the fuck off, no matter how much I like the content they surround.

    --
    The grass is always greener on the other side of the light cone.
  5. My lists by Nexion · · Score: 5, Interesting

    FireFox:

    noscript
    ghostery
    noredirect
    firebug
    flash video downloader

    Chrome:
    scriptno
    ghostery

  6. Re:web designers by whopub · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's not the web designers' fault! I'm a small time self employed web designer. When it comes to designing a website, we don't do what we want! We don't even do what the customer needs. We end up doing what he asks. Most of the time what they ask for sucks, and that's what they/you get.

  7. Re:web designers by TWX · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So you're saying that the customer demands cross-site scripting hell, where to look at a simple article I have to have fifteen different sites' javascript enabled, including probably half a dozen ad/tracking sites that have nothing to do with reading text on a screen?

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  8. We'd like your feedback... by SoCalChris · · Score: 5, Informative

    Is there an extension that blocks these "We'd like your feedback" messages that seem to be popping up on every single site lately? Or a way to block them easily with AdBlock?