Freeloader Friday Download of the Week

Pimp your Browser

You choice of a web browser is a very personal thing. I'm sure that the decision is somehow indicative of your personality, but that's not the kind of thing we cover here. Instead, I have a few picks to jazz up your browser (whichever one you use).

Camino

I have to admit, Camino is really growing on me. The native interface and speed are great. But as a veteran of Firefox, I've grown dependent on a few features. Fortunately, free software fills in the gaps. Add themes to Camino with CaminIcon (Panther version here) has a limited but refreshing selection of themes. Camino may not support user scripts, but CamiScript brings all kinds of useful features to the browser via a script menu. You'll want to visit the script repository for dandy extras like spell check. And, our tweaking would not be complete without hidden options. CamiTools offers options to customize the search box and more.

Firefox

Firefox addons are conveniently grouped at the Firefox Addonssite at Mozilla.org. There you'll find search engines to add to the search box, extensions to extend Firefox's functionality and themes to dress it to yout pleasure. We've spent a lot of time here on Firefox extensions, so I'll save the space today.

Safari

Now the third most popular browser behind IE and Firefox, Safari has speed and flexibility. And, thanks to AcidSearch and SafariSIA you have a couple ways to add in your search engines of choice for easy menu-bar access. While Safari doesn't support user scripts, you can modify the appearance of pages using the SurfRabbit add-on. SurfRabbit allows you to remove and reshape items from webpages to streamline your browsing. And, like Camino, you can change the look of Safari with SafarIcon.

Opera

Recently set free, this fast browser integrates email integrates email in a fast client. Of course, to compete with the browsers above, Opera is also a customizable application. Opera themes are available here, along with customized panels, toolbars and icons. But, if you want in on the newest add-on, you will need the new beta. With it, you can add Opera desktop widgets and let Opera break out of the box.

So, however you surf, make sure you are propery equipped.

Brian

  


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