Firefox: My Internet Browser of Choice

Browser Choices
The most common web browser is that of Internet Explorer. The blue E is recognizable anywhere, and Microsoft does all it can to ensure you are accessing the net via IE by including it as the default browser for Windows operating systems and providing previous versions for Mac. The current version available is IE7 best known for the added tab option (similar to firefox). Another common option from days past is Netscape, but after several years, the majority of users have moved on. Mac operating systems feature Safari as its default browser; it has also undergone several updates throughout the years for Apple. Whereas these three browsers focused primarily on a specific operating system, new browsers developed as cross-platform browsers allowing users to use their browser on a variety of systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.) The most popular are Mozilla Firefox and Opera.

To learn more about the history and popularity of these web browsers, see Wikipedia article: Internet browsers.

Advantages of Firefox
Firefox is most praised for being a cross-platform browser and for having open source code. Firefox allows for users to create add-ons, extensions, which generate endless possibilities for the personalization of the browser. Toolbars and bookmarks are easy to customize and share. Tabbing organizes several open pages in one window keeping the screen uncluttered. Because Firefox ranks second in most common used browser (behind IE), most web tools, pages, software work flawlessly. Greasemonkey is my favorite extension; it allows for several small scripts to be added and managed for specific web pages (like Flickr).

To learn more about Firefox and its amazing features or to download, see Mozilla Firefox's site: Firefox 2.

To learn more about Greasemonkey, see Wikipedia article: Greasemonkey or to install (after Firefox is installed) see: Firefox Add-ons: Greasemonkey.

My personalization of Firefox
With the toolbars, I changed around my Google search options, used the Google Toolbar Button Gallery to find the perfect assortment of buttons and removed all text, added page tools, and set up the auto-fill feature. When I started organizing my bookmarks, I took advantage of the bookmark toolbar and added all my daily links without the names just leaving the icons. I also set up my gmail account to be refreshed from my toolbar.

After downloading and installing Firefox, opening the browser will link to pages that can help set up all your preferences and search for add-ons and extensions to better your internet experience. If you already use Firefox, but want to check out your options, see Customize Firefox.

I really recommend checking out some of the sites for more, detailed information about browsers and what Firefox can do for you. In all fairness, I must add that I decided to download Opera as well to see how other features can change my routine.

Hope this post helped explain how Firefox has become my gateway to the world wide web and how others can use it to enhance their internet experience.

How I approach the Internet now...

First off, up until about 4 months ago, I could have cared less about my internet browser, how to host photos, or where to find new internet toys and services. I started this blog some time back, but didn't really utilize all that blogger could do and was quite okay with that. I did some time on myspace. What a disaster. haha. But overall, I kept it simple.

After people trying to force Firefox down my throat, I thought it might be time for me to rediscover the web and all I had missed from my comfort zone. I upgraded to the new IE7 and didn't much care for the layout and toolbars but learned that on my small laptop screen, I could learn to love Tabs. With no benefits apparent but Tabs, I realized that it was time for me to take my foot out of my mouth and get onboard with Firefox.

Let me tell you, this is the best internet decision I ever made and I didn't even realize it until much later. Over this summer, I began looking at the internet in a completely new light. I upgraded to the new blogger, started learning basic javascript and html code segments, introduced myself to widgets, flickr, greasemonkey, firefox add-ons, new bookmarking options, along with a list of sites and internet features I had never really tried.

I indeed to introduce my new internet changes in a series of posts about different internet features. If any of my readers out there are like me, then reading simple reviews and explanations may be the way to open a door to a new service that is a perfect fit.

90 Days and Counting!

So, it occurred to me today in 3 months time I will be 25. My quarter of a century mark. So, sitting here now, I am the worst shape of my life, can't remember when I last put on my ballet slippers, wondering where my life is going. And, of course, you know me, I indeed on changing it. I am again reseting my workout counter in sidebar. I wouldn't mind doing some barre work to strengthen my bod. While I am at it, I am going to take a more active role in making some serious career and financial choices. And I would like to open myself up to new social circles and continue to work on my cultural and educational goals.

All that said, I know you prolly don't know me or what this is about. But I feel if I write it here, I will be a little more motivated each time I see this. And for the dancing, I love to dance and miss it terribly each time I discover something I can't do anymore.


Yes, I realize that this mini-scroll thing is annoying as hell, but finding a decent countdown was a lot harder than I thought it should or could be.

Kanye and Timbaland

These are the songs I want to hear when I am driving windows down, dancing from the waist up, acting like an idiot (driving safely... promise).

Kanye West "Stronger"
I might add that his performance was one of only few that I didn't FF straight through from the VMA's (MTV 9/9/7). This song is fun, and he is a great performer. Love those shades, right?

Timbaland "The Way I Are"
So what if McD's made a commercial out of this song. I was envious of those kids on roller skates. I love the way this song is more of a collaboration than anything; everyone works well together.

Lifehouse: First Time

I thought it had been a little while since my last music suggestion/add. I am not the biggest Lifehouse fan, but this song just makes so much sense to me. Great lyrics. And for the video itself, the colors in the video are a nice touch to something simple.