9 Firefox Extensions for Writers

If you're a writer, you use the Internet. And if you use the Internet, you've probably at least heard about the Firefox browser, if not made it your preferred Internet application. If you haven't switched already, you should know that Firefox offers unique customization options through the use of extensions to enhance the default Firefox feature set. Here are 9 Firefox extensions aimed specifically at the writer that will make your life better!

AutoCopy. One of the little things I like about Linux is the way that all text that is selected or highlighted is automatically copied to the clipboard. This comes in handy all the time, shaves off a few keystrokes from my daily grind. To get that functionality in Firefox on Windows, it's a simple matter of installing this Firefox extension!

Copy Plaintext. This gem of an extension allows you to copy rich (formatted) text, and automatically strips it of formatting when you paste. This eliminates the hassle associated with removing unwanted beautifiers, links, and bullets from copied text.

Dictionary.Com MyCroft Plugins. Okay, this isn't exactly a Firefox extension, but these plugins for your Firebox search box make it easy to look up dictionary definitions, thesaurus entries, and even information from online encyclopedias. A must have for every writer.

Split Browser. This extension will be especially useful for those writers that do their composing on the web in Google Docs or some other online note taking application. It allows you to split your Firefox window, so you can easily compare two websites, look at one while writing in another, or have your 30 Boxes calendar constantly in view.

Resizeable Text Area. When writing on the web, you notice than many text areas are just plain too small to get much done. Think especially about forum posting forms and other text submission mechanisms. This extension alleviates that frustration by creating a little resize handle on text areas, allowing you expand them as necessary!

Text Area Word Count. Especially useful for bloggers and article writers that need to keep a tab on their word count, this simple but extremely handy extension displays the total number of words in text areas on a web document. Here's a killer feature: it automatically excludes any HTML you've used!

Signature. Use this extension to save and post custom bits of text from the right click menu. For instance, use it to attach custom signatures to emails and forum posts, to keep that bit of html you always use, or to quickly post your contact information.

Scrapbook. This has long been one of my favorite extensions. It allows you to save offline copies of websites, then add notes, highlight text, and perform full-text searches on your snippets. A fantastic and useful research tool for every writer.

Read it Later. If you write a lot, you also likely read a lot. When I come across something I want to read at later time, I usually put it in a folder labeled "to read." But then it's pain to recategorize those links, delete them when I'm done, etc. This extension allows you to easily keep a list of items to read later. You can mark them as read when you're done or easily add them to your regular Firefox bookmarks.

As an avid blogger, web writer, forum poster, I've found the productivity boosts these extensions provide to be invaluable. Enjoy!