Finally made the move to Firefox, feeling a bit OVERWHELMED...

[Earth Bound Misfit]

I'm a computer :dunce: I downloaded Firefox last night and have been puttering, stumbling and tinkering with it for a couple of hours. I like what I've seen so far, but frankly am a bit overwhelmed by all the add-ons, plug-ins, etc. Would you good folks here be so kind as to offer any advice, tips and/or suggestions--links, educational resources,etc. again keeping in mind that I am only a novice/recreational computer user?

Thanks!
EBM

[Why Syzygy]

1. Here's an older thread ..

where we discuss a little about add ons.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=242&topic_id=24864

I've just switched to IE8 from Firefox. Most of the stuff I thought I needed in Firefox is actually due to my Google search toolbar. (spelling/search/highlight/auto fill...)

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. See reply #3...

Ditto to you, "WhySyz"!!

:hi: :toast:
EBM

[pokerfan]

2. Some help

I made the switch years ago when it was called Firebird. Back then, even tabbed browsing was new. Nowadays, if you're coming from IE, you're at least familiar with tabs a little.

I don't think there's really all that much difference unless you want to get into customizing (which is really what it's all about IMO - they're called personal computers for a reason).

Some good resources:

• http://en.flossmanuals.net/Firefox/Interface">Floss Manual (good place to start)
  
• http://www.dria.org/wordpress/archives/2008/06/12/655/">The Field Guide to Firefox 3 (for more advanced users)
  
• http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Keyboard+shortcuts">keyboard shortcuts(big fan of shortcuts)

My favorite extensions:

• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865">Adblock Plus (blocks advertising, banners and other unwanted stuff)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433">Flashblock (blocks Flash content from loading automatically)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722">NoScript (blocks malicious scripts except from sites you trust)
  
• http://www.downloadhelper.net/">Download Helper (easy way to download Web videos)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/201">DownThemAll (download in just one click all the links or images contained in a web page)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2109">FEBE (backup your Firefox profile - extensions, bookmarks, passwords, cookies)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6886/">HideFindBar (hides the find bar after you're done with it)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4762">HideMenuBar (hides the menu bar until you need it)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/139">ImageZoom (lets you zoom/shrink images independently of text)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10367">PearlCrescentPageSaver (lets you capture an image of an entire web page)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4292">QuoteURLText (let's you copy selected text to the clipboard including the page title, url and copy date in one click)
  
• http://snaplinks.mozdev.org/">SnapLinksPlus (lets you open multiple links in new tabs by drawing a box around them)
  
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6391">TabCounter (adds a counter showing how many tabs you have open to the tool bar of your choice)

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. Outstanding info, links!!

Thank you ever so much for taking not only the time, but the obvious care to put this together for me, it is GREATLY appreciated!

Despite all the "extra-curricular" stuff going on around DU ("cheerleaders" vs "apologists":mad:) it's the little things like your generous attention to a fellow DUer's request for info that make this "place" so invaluable.

Thanks again!:hi:
EBM

Stop by the Labor Forum sometime, we could use the help & support of quality persons such as yourself.

[pokerfan]

5. Your next logical step

http://www.linux.org">