6 Firefox Extensions that Streamline Surfing

Although they fall under the category of "add-ons" according to Mozilla, some Firefox extensions work so well that they seem to reduce the presence of the browser and bring you even closer to the content. None of the following extensions may be necessary to browse the internet, but you are already using the best browser on the planet-you might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

Locationbar²

If you've tried Google Chrome, you may have noticed that its address bar emphasizes the name of the website you are visiting by making everything but the root domain name a lighter gray. This isn't just an aesthetic change, because it will also help you avoid phishing sites. Locationbar adds that functionality, along with other handy features like only requiring a single click to select the entire URL.

Personal Menu

Another Google Chrome feature, this removes the need to have the top menus toolbar-file, edit, view, etc.-by moving it into a single button found on the navigation bar. You will also get new bookmarks and history buttons. The extra space means less scrolling and overall a more minimalistic user interface.

Searchbar Autosizer

Personal Menu adds a few new buttons to the navigation bar, and Searchbar Autosizer complements it perfectly by freeing up more space. You can set a minimum size for Firefox's search bar which will then expand as you type. My personal favorite is the ability to auto-clear the search bar after submissions so it is always ready for your next important query.

Stop-or-Reload Button

This tiny extension digs up even more real estate for your rapidly evolving navigation bar by combining the stop and reload buttons into a single button. If the page is loading, it shows the stop button; if the page is already loaded, it shows reload. It really is as simple as that, and you now have one less button to look at. And yes, Chrome has this, too. But we already know Google is clever.

Tab Mix Plus

There are numerous options to pick and choose from bundled into Tab Mix Plus. One useful example: the ability to lock tabs in place to prevent them from being accidentally closed-perfect for your email inbox and, in my case, Pandora Radio. There is a whole lot more to Tab Mix like resizing tabs, scrolling to select tabs, and customizable progress bars.

Yet Another Smooth Scrolling

Despite its somewhat odd name (who knew there were so many smooth scrolling?), this one will make you smile once you realize the simple but huge improvement it provides. Every time you use your mouse wheel to scroll through a page, it will give you a smooth movement that is much more natural than the default. Your mileage may vary, but I enjoy the following settings:
Stride Size of Scroll: 100
Smoothness - Start of Move: 7.08
Smoothness: 80.0
Acceleration Sensitivity: 144