Firefox

This is one of our key tools here are some pointers on making it work better for you.

1. Bookmarks
   1. CTRL-D can bookmark the page.
   2. Now when you book mark you get this window.
      
      1. Give it a name you can easily type. For example Test. Then later when Firefox opens I can type Test in the url and this page will be an option.
      2. Multiple tags are an option ie Tag, Tag2, Tag3 makes three tags.
      3. Choose the Folder here are the options
         1. Bookmark Menu is the main area.
         2. Bookmark Toolbar are for important items and Feeds
         3. Choose helps to drop it down more for a Tree layout
   3. CTRL-B quickly see a side bar of all Bookmarks and type key word search to find the one you are looking for. This is a big help as well.
2. Feeds -
   1. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feeds are a great way to stay up date on developments and breaking news; reading content with feeds is a bit like having a newspaper built just for you.  For a quick and easy intro to what feeds are all about, check out this little video: RSS in plain english
   2. to see an example of a feed, click on "Latest Headlines" in your firefox bookmarks bar
   3. So how to tell if a website has a feed?  Look for the icon to the right of the site's address:
   4. Click on the icon and choose one of the feed options.  This will take you to page's feed and ask if you'd like to subscribe to the feed using Livebookmarks.  Say yes, and then organize the Livebookmark as you would a regular bookmark. 
   5. These can go on your tool bar, this way all your feeds are right there on the top.
       
   6. For  a more detailed explanation visit http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Live+Bookmarks

 

3. Google Search built in

   1. Top Right Hand corner is the google search just type what you want in there and click Enter
      
   2. Or Cick the G and see all the other Options!
      1. Yahoo
      2. Amazon
      3. Ask
      4. WikiPedia
      5. Ebay
      6. etc...
4. Find text on a page CTRL-F again the main key is CTRL the F for find. You can always use the Menus Edit --> Find. This then gives you a box on the lower left.
   
   1. Highlight the word
   2. F3 key keeps searching and going from word to word.
5. Tabs versus new Window in Firefox. Both work well to multi task but choose ONE or it will drive you crazy trying to figure out where the page is you are looking for.
   1. Using New Window - File --> New Window or CTRL-N or Right click on the link and choose Open in New Window. Now your pages are seen in the Tool bar below.
      
      This is my desktop tool bar and it tells me that I have two windows open and the title of each page.
   2. Using Tabs - CTRL-T or File --> New Tab or Right click and say New Tab. Now your Tab manager is on the top in Firefox under the URL. This is the best way, I think for a number of reasons
      1. ATL-Tab through all your windows means there are less to go through.
      2. Can click Bookmark All Tabs to make groups of tabs or work that you are dealing with.
6. Extensions/Add ons. - this is what seperates Firefox from all the rest. There are extensions to make your browser better created every day. Here are some key ones. Click Tools --> Add Ons will give you the window below.
   
   Now we will make sure we are at the Get Add On's tab and searc
   1. Add Block - search for Add Block Plus and then click Add to Firefox
      1. The next window takes a moment for the button Install Now to become clickable. Then click it.
      2. Then it returns with a message Firefox needs to restart. Click the Restart Firefox button and wait a moment.
      3. It will pop back open. This program has a lot of questions but for now click Easy list USA and Subscribe. And you are done. Now many sites with all those adds will just have blank spaces. For example the ad on the left is gone on the right.
         
   2. Flash Block - lots of ads are flash and sometimes all those flash images can get annoying. Follow the steps above but type in Flash Block. Install and then go to a site with flash. NPR for example. You now will see this symbol instead
      
      If you RIGHT MOUSE click on the F you will get choices.
      1. Allow flash from this site is the main one. If sites like this are sites you do not want blocked then choose this and refresh your screen.
   3. Another one I like is un-hide password so I can see my passwords as I type.
7. History - CTRL - H and then search away.
8. Edit or Tools Preferences is where you can setup firefox a bit more for your needs.
9. HTTPS sites that do not have a good cert can really be confusing. You will get a window like below.
   
   You may think the page is not found but it is. So click Or you can add an exception. Once you click that it asks again!!! so click Add Exception again. A new window will open where you click Get Cert the accept. This is tough cause this is really important. There is a reason why certs are BAD and if the site is a site you are transfering money on the you really do not want to be there.