Difference between revisions of "Firefox"
m (Tagging inuse) |
(Expanded article) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | Firefox is a web browser created by the Mozilla foundation. It is the web browser portion of the Mozilla suite spun off into its own application, though it's matured and changed from that initial fork. | |
| − | Firefox is a | + | If you're looking for the e-mail part of the former Mozilla suite, have a look at [[Thunderbird]]. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Installation == | ||
| + | Firefox is installed by default on the Peyton network (in /usr/peyton/bin) so you can run it on any Linux machine, and Macs have it in /usr/peyton/Applications. If you would like to install it on your personal machine, use whatever browser you have to go to http://www.mozilla.com. The front page should have a download link based on what platform you're currently using to browse there (ie, if you're visiting from a Mac, the Mac download should be on the page). Click "Other systems & languages" if you wish to choose a different version - such as downloading the Linux version from a Windows machine. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Actual installation varies slightly by platform: | ||
| + | * Windows | ||
| + | *: Run the downloaded program to launch the installer | ||
| + | * Macs | ||
| + | *: Double click the downloaded disk image, then drag and drop the Firefox application where you'd like to install it (such as /Applications) | ||
| + | * Linux | ||
| + | *: Uncompress the tar file, which will create a "firefox" directory. Move that directory to where you'd like the program installed (such as /usr/local/ or [[Local installs|~/Installs]]). | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | == Extensions == | |
| + | Much like [[Thunderbird]], Firefox can be modified with extensions which give new functionality or change the appearance of the program (and in fact, many extensions work on both programs). They can be downloaded from the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Firefox website]. Here's a few extensions that are quite useful to have installed: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865 Adblock Plus] does a '''great''' job of filtering ads from web pages, while still leaving the necessary parts available (such as funny scripts that banks use, etc). Includes an updater which keeps its internal list of sites and regexps current. | ||
| + | * [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/26 Download Statusbar] adds a bar at the bottom of the screen for your downloads, instead of the normal download window. | ||
| + | * [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/636 PDF Download] will detect when you've clicked on a PDF link, and offer options for what to do with it - download as a file, view within the browser, or launch an external application to view it. | ||
| + | * [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2098 Update Notifier] will notify you when new versions of your extensions are available for download, and offer to download and install them for you. | ||
| − | + | A couple more advanced or geeky extensions are [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2036 Server Spy] (tells you information about the web server you're connecting to, such as what software it is running) and [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/60 Web Developer] (gives you a new toolbar that lets you view CSS information and much more, great for debugging websites or site development). Most people won't need these two, but some have found them handy for debugging. | |
[[Category:Software]] | [[Category:Software]] | ||
Revision as of 16:10, 20 June 2007
Firefox is a web browser created by the Mozilla foundation. It is the web browser portion of the Mozilla suite spun off into its own application, though it's matured and changed from that initial fork.
If you're looking for the e-mail part of the former Mozilla suite, have a look at Thunderbird.
Installation
Firefox is installed by default on the Peyton network (in /usr/peyton/bin) so you can run it on any Linux machine, and Macs have it in /usr/peyton/Applications. If you would like to install it on your personal machine, use whatever browser you have to go to http://www.mozilla.com. The front page should have a download link based on what platform you're currently using to browse there (ie, if you're visiting from a Mac, the Mac download should be on the page). Click "Other systems & languages" if you wish to choose a different version - such as downloading the Linux version from a Windows machine.
Actual installation varies slightly by platform:
- Windows
- Run the downloaded program to launch the installer
- Macs
- Double click the downloaded disk image, then drag and drop the Firefox application where you'd like to install it (such as /Applications)
- Linux
- Uncompress the tar file, which will create a "firefox" directory. Move that directory to where you'd like the program installed (such as /usr/local/ or ~/Installs).
Extensions
Much like Thunderbird, Firefox can be modified with extensions which give new functionality or change the appearance of the program (and in fact, many extensions work on both programs). They can be downloaded from the Firefox website. Here's a few extensions that are quite useful to have installed:
- Adblock Plus does a great job of filtering ads from web pages, while still leaving the necessary parts available (such as funny scripts that banks use, etc). Includes an updater which keeps its internal list of sites and regexps current.
- Download Statusbar adds a bar at the bottom of the screen for your downloads, instead of the normal download window.
- PDF Download will detect when you've clicked on a PDF link, and offer options for what to do with it - download as a file, view within the browser, or launch an external application to view it.
- Update Notifier will notify you when new versions of your extensions are available for download, and offer to download and install them for you.
A couple more advanced or geeky extensions are Server Spy (tells you information about the web server you're connecting to, such as what software it is running) and Web Developer (gives you a new toolbar that lets you view CSS information and much more, great for debugging websites or site development). Most people won't need these two, but some have found them handy for debugging.
