The following was written by Mark Fleming

I couldn’t find a category for this on the extensions page, so I had to compile the list by searching around; if I’ve missed any, please let me know in a comment.

All but one of these are found on the Mozilla Update Firefox Extensions page. For the most part, I’ve used the descriptions from the extension authors themselves and may or may not have tried the extension myself.

Googlebar
This Firefox extension is the granddaddy of all Firefox extensions made for Google users! The Googlebar project was initially created to address the widespread desire in the Mozilla community for the Google Toolbar to support the Netscape 7, Mozilla, and Firefox web browsers. Googlebar emulates all of the basic search functionality of the Google Toolbar, allowing users to easily access almost all of Google’s specialty searches (some of which are not yet supported by the original Google Toolbar!) from one convenient toolbar.



If you use Firefox and Google, this is a MUST HAVE extension.

Search Status
One thing that Googlebar (above) does not do that Google Toolbar does is display PageRank info (read why here). This extension fills that hole and more. It will display the Google PageRank and Alexa popularity anywhere in your browser, along with options for backward/related/category links, Alexa info and more.

Google PageRank Status
This extension fills the same need as explained in Search Status (above). But, I much prefer the Search Status extension because of its Alexa rank and its considerably more options.

Gmail Notifier
Allows checking for new Gmail messages directly from the browser’s UI. A status bar item will show once installed, and a toolbar item can be added by customizing the toolbar. However, you may not want to use this considering Google has a notifer that resides in the system tray.

Better Search
This extension adds thumbnails to search engine listings to help you better make a selection. It enhances Google, MSN Search, Yahoo Search, A9, AllTheWeb, del.icio.us bookmarks and Simpy.com by adding previews (thumbnails) and Amazon product images and info (type, price, rating) as well as “Open in New Window”, “Site Info” and “Wayback Machine” links to the search results. Supports anonymization of all Alexa.com thumbnail calls. Also see Search Preview (below).

Google Preview
In the same manner as Better Search (above), this extension inserts thumbnails of web sites, Amazon products and stock charts into the Google and yahoo.com search results pages.

Define Word
Look up the definition of selected text on Google. You might not really need this though, since Googlebar (above) has a dictionary definition function built-in. Also, you can use the Google Dictionary function, especially combined with the Google Deskbar.

Gcache
Allows you to check the cached version of the page you are browsing in Google. This can be handy if the server is down or the page is changed. However, Googlebar (above) has this function built-in.

Google Scholar OpenURLs
The purpose is to enable users at an institution that has an OpenURL link-resolver to use that resolver to locate the full text of articles found in Google Scholar, instead of relying on the links to publishers’ websites provided by Google. This is important because it solves the “appropriate copy problem”: the link to a publisher’s site is useless if you don’t have a subscription that lets you into that site, and your library may provide access to the same article in an aggregator’s package or elsewhere. I haven’t used this, but it sounds like a great idea.

Google Adbar
Displays Google ads related to pages you view. Mozilla’s editorial comment: If you miss Opera’s text ads, or are just wondering what ads Google has decided are related to the sites you view, this is the extension for you! Supports toolbar customization, unlike the Opera equivalent. This extension was written as a joke, and the ads it displays do not generate revenue for Google, the Mozilla Foundation, or the extension author. My comment: More ads? Yeah, right–that’s what I want it!

Editor's Note: Don't forget about the Firefox update released yesterday. Some of these may not be compatible with the new version...

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Former WebProWorld Admin
IntentionalFoul.com

Chris,

THANK YOU for this review. I´ve just download the Search status extension and it is great.

Honestly, with these features, I see no further need to keep on using IE, but for testing my websites.

Long live to firefox. =D

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Graphic Design & Web Design in Buenos Aires Argentina. English-Spanish Translator SEO | Diseño Web & Diseño Gráfico Inglés-Español Traductor

Thanks for an excellent post. I've been hunting for a PR bar for months.

Now I have it and there's no reason for me to use IE at all anymore!

If you want the PageRank, but not an Alexa groupie, you can use this extension. It supplies the PR in the same spot, but no Alexa.

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SEO Firefox Extension | Free Link Development Tool | New SUSE Linux Users

Hello All:

If you install the GreaseMonkey (http://greasemonkey.mozdev.org/) extension you can invoke various cool scripts to manipulate Google from the client side. One script, Butler, hides the ads and provides links to alternate searches. Others customize image search and maps. I've noticed that scripts have disappeared from various sites, so Google may be on the warpath. If you can find them, get them while they're hot.

Jim Spice
Milwaukee, WI
http://www.gobayview.com

As Holmer would say "Doo"

Cats out of the bag. I hope you don't get discouraged and keep up with your project. I use it in combination with the Search Status extension. Sometimes I feel like clicking on the page which I think adds value to SEOpen - SEOpen also has some extra stuff too like HTTP Header Viewer and a few others that Search Status doesn't. Hope to see you keep it up flood6. :)

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Michigan Web Hosting | Michigan IT and Computer Consulting | Michigan Technology Solutions

LOL. I started doing mine because it was something I found useful. Even if I were the only one that used it, I'd keep at it.

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SEO Firefox Extension | Free Link Development Tool | New SUSE Linux Users

> Google PageRank Status
> This extension fills the same need as explained
> in Search Status (above). But, I much prefer the
> Search Status extension because of its Alexa rank
> and its considerably more options.

A big feature of Google Page Rank Status I wasn't able t find in the Search Status extension is the possibility to see in the same PR bar if the page is inside Google Directory and the link to exact directory.