What Is Your Add-On Profile?

About Web Browsers has readers from all walks of life, each utilizing their online time a little differently. One thing that a lot of you have in common, however, is your love of add-ons. These browser extensions offer thousands of new features which can expand our favorites such as Firefox and Internet Explorer into powerhouse applications. The best part is that most of them are free!
I'd like to know more about your add-on profile! Submit a little information about yourself and the browser add-ons that enrich your daily life and you could be featured right here on About.com in the near future.
(Photo © IreneK - #28549441/stockxpert)Disable Form Autofill in Google Chrome
By default, the Google Chrome browser will save certain information that you enter into website forms such as your name and address. This Form Autofill feature makes things easier the next time you are prompted to enter the same info in that form or in similar forms on other sites. Although it offers an element of convenience, there is also an obvious privacy issue here. If other people use your browser or you simply do not feel comfortable having your form information stored, the Form Autofill feature can be disabled in just a few easy steps.
(Photo © Scott Orgera)
iPhone and iPod touch Web Browsers
The majority of iPhone and iPod touch users surf the Web using their device's default browser, Safari. Although Apple's browser is a respectable offering, there are several other options available for download via the App Store. Most people are unaware of this fact, assuming that Safari is the only way to go. These Safari alternatives each have their own unique pros and cons.
(Photo © Scott Orgera)
Add a Frightful Touch To Your Browser
With Halloween fast approaching, pumpkins and scary decorations are popping up everywhere. Preparing for All Hallows Eve can be a lot of fun, especially if you have young children. These frightful adornments do not have to be limited to your front door and windows. You can also get in the spirit of the day by putting a costume on your Web browser.
Firefox users can choose between the spooky Halloween or HalloFF themes. Once downloaded, you can apply the new look in just a few steps. If Internet Explorer is your browser of choice, then give the Halloween Toolbar a try. Dress up your browser now and have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!
(Photo © ginosphoto - #3409811/stockxpert)
Manage Your Safari 4 Downloads
Safari 4, like most other browsers, has its own unique characteristics when it comes to downloading files. Several items are easily configurable, including where your downloaded files are stored to the frequency in which your download history is cleared.
Manage Downloads in Safari 4 for WindowsManage Downloads in Safari 4 for OS X
(Photo © N_Sorokin - #642511/stockxpert)
Reader Mailbag: Save Web Pages In Chrome
Quite often, readers send me questions regarding the functionality of their favorite Web browser. No matter what the specific subject, many of these queries usually wind up resulting in helpful tidbits of information. Let's take a look at an interesting one that was recently submitted.
Question: I use Google Chrome for my browser and want to be able to save some Web pages so I can look at them when I'm not online. I used to do this in IE. How can I do it with Chrome? - Bryan
Answer: Bryan - Saving Web pages to your hard drive or a removable disk can be done easily in all of the major browsers. The good news here is that saving Web pages in Chrome can be accomplished in just under a minute.
(Photo © mjpan - #306834/stockxpert)
Contribute to About Web Browsers
Is there a particular browser add-on that you would like to express your opinion on? Do you want to share a positive experience with other readers? Perhaps you wish to apprise fellow Web surfers on the negative aspects of an add-on that you have used. No longer do you have to sit in silence! Submit your own add-on review and it just might get published for the world to see right here on About.com.
(Photo © vacuum3d - #39331591/stockxpert)
Help Improve Your Favorite Browser
The development and upkeep of your favorite Web browser is an ongoing process that never really ceases. Updates are released quite often for a number of reasons, ranging from security and stability fixes to the addition of new features. Although browser vendors often employ quality control teams to make sure that their product is up to snuff with today's Web, it is virtually impossible to cover every angle considering the large number of websites and technologies that exist. Therefore, the creators of your browser can always use a helping hand.
This is where you, the everyday Web surfer, come into play. Most major browsers offer an interface that allows you to report defects in a quick and easy manner. The next time you discover a problem while browsing, whether it be with the display of a particular Web page or with the browser application itself, go ahead and let the development team know about it. The following tutorials show you how to report bugs in your application of choice...
- Report Bugs in Firefox 3.5
- Report Bugs in Google Chrome
- Report Bugs in Safari
- Report Bugs in Opera 10
(Photo © gibsnoff - #9779142/stockxpert)
Baseball and Your Browser
Wednesday marks the beginning of one of my favorite events of the year, the Major League Baseball playoffs. I'll be in the Bronx catching all of the action first hand as the Yankees embark on their quest for a 27th championship, while other fans across the country will be doing the same for their respective teams. If you can't attend the games or watch them on TV, then turn to your Web browser for the next best way to enjoy every base hit.
Stay on top of exciting matchups as they occur with the community-oriented RUWT? Toolbar, which alerts you when the action reaches a fever pitch and allows you to have a banter with other fans. For fast scores, matchup information, statistics, and news, the SportsFox add-on for Firefox is all you need. Stay in the game with these great browser additions!
(Photo © Jared Wickerham - #91305065/Getty Images Sport)
Setting a New Default Browser
In Windows, your default browser is the program that is launched whenever you open an HTML file, a shortcut that points to a Web address, or click on a link embedded in the body of an email. All browsers provide the ability to configure themselves as the operating system's default, ensuring that your favorite option will launch in any of the aforementioned scenarios.
Unfortunately, they all handle this functionality in their own unique way. Here are a few step-by-step tutorials on how to set some of the most popular Windows browsers as the system default.
- Make Firefox 3.5 Your Default Browser
- Make IE8 Your Default Browser
- Make Google Chrome Your Default Browser
- Make Safari 4 Your Default Browser
(Photo © fotoflash - #11875871/stockxpert)







