Customizing Firefox

Firefox can be customized extensively. You can not only change the way Firefox behaves (by altering its preferences), but also add additional functionality (by installing extensions or change the look and feel by installing new themes). With the Add-ons manager, Firefox offers a convenient way to manage extensions, themes and plugins.

Preferences

Firefox offers a wide range of configuration options available via Edit+Preferences, see Figure 14.5, “The Preferences Window”. Each option is described in detail in the online help, which can be accessed by clicking the Help button.

Figure 14.5. The Preferences Window

The Preferences Window

Session management

By default, Firefox automatically restores your session—windows and tabs— only after it has crashed, or after a restart when having installed an extension. However, it can be configured to restore a session every time it is started: Open the Preferences dialog as described in Section 14.6.1, “Preferences” and go to the Main tab. Set When Firefox Starts: to Show My Windows and Tabs from Last Time.

When you have multiple windows open they will only be restored the next time when you close all of them at once with File+Quit or with Ctrl+Q. If you close the windows one by one, only the last window will be restored.

Language Preferences for Web Sites

When sending a request to a Web server, the browser always sends the information about which language is preferred by the user. Web sites that are available in more than one language (and are configured to evaluate this language parameter) will display their pages in the language the browser requests. On openSUSE, the preferred language is preconfigured to use the same language as the desktop. To change this setting, open the Preferences window as described in Section 14.6.1, “Preferences”, go to the Content tab and Choose your preferred language.

Spell Checking

When typing into multiple-line input fields, Firefox, by default, spell-checks what you type. Misspelled words are underlined in red. To correct a word, right-click it and choose the correct spelling from the context menu. You may also add the word to the dictionary, if it is correct.

To change or add a dictionary, right-click anywhere in a multi-line input field and choose the appropriate option from the context menu. Here you may also disable spell-checking for this input field. If you want to globally disable spell checking, open the Preferences window as described in Section 14.6.1, “Preferences” and go to the Advanced tab. Uncheck Check My Spelling As I Type.

Add-ons

Extensions let you personalize Firefox to exactly fit your needs. With the help of extensions you can change Firefox's look and feel, enhance existing functionality (such as the download manager or tabbed browsing), and add functions (such as a blog editor, Bit Torrent support or even a music player). Certain extensions also assist Web developers, while others increase security by dynamically blocking active content. More than 8000 extensions are available for Firefox. With the add-ons manager you cannot only install new extensions, but also disable, enable, or delete them. It also finds updates for installed extensions.

If you do not like the standard look and feel of Firefox, install a new theme. Themes do not change the functionality, only the appearance of the browser.

Installing Add-ons

To add an extension or theme, start the add-ons manager with Tools+Add-Ons. It opens with the Get Add-Ons tab either displaying a choice of recommended add-ons or the results of your last search. Use the Search All Add-Ons field to search for specific add-ons. Click on an entry in the list to view a short description and a screenshot. Install the add-on by clicking Add to Firefox... or open a Web page with detailed information by clicking the Learn More link.

Figure 14.6. Installing Firefox Extensions

Installing Firefox Extensions

If you just want to browse all available add-ons or would like to use advanced search options, click Browse All Add-Ons. This opens the Firefox add-ons Web page. To install an extension, click on the Add to Firefox button on the page describing the add-on.

In order to activate freshly installed extensions or themes, Firefox needs to be restarted via the Restart Firefox button in the add-ons manager. Restarting the browser with this button ensures that the complete session will be restored.

Managing Add-ons

The Add-ons Manager also offers a convenient interface to manage extensions, themes, and plugins. Extensions can be enabled, disabled or uninstalled. If an extension is configurable, its configuration options can be accessed via the Preferences button. In the Themes tab you may Uninstall a theme, or activate a different theme by clicking on Use Theme. Pending extension and theme installations are also listed. Select Cancel to stop the installation. Although you cannot install Plug-Ins as a user, you may disable or enable them with the Add-ons manager.

Actions like uninstalling or disabling an add-on require a browser restart. Each time you perform such an action, the Restart Browser button is displayed in the add-ons manager.