Firefox Secrets

Firefox Secrets bookThis is the first Firefox book I’ve read, so it won’t have a comparison to any of the others — as a few books hit the market soon after Firefox started nipping at Internet Explorer’s market share of the browser market.
Chapter 1 kicks off the book with an introduction explaining why Firefox is a first-rate browser and how to install its Windows, Mac, and Linux releases. “Essential Browsing Features,” the next chapter, reviews tabbed browsing, searching, downloading, and other features.
I’ve used Firefox prior to the v1.0 release and I’ve picked up a few tricks in this chapter. The tips go beyond entering keywords into the search box or changing search engines. However, I found an error — the book says to left-click on a selected word on any Web page and run a search on the selected word — It’s right-click, not left.
“Revisiting Web Pages” dives into bookmarks and how to get the most out of your bookmark file. The tricks explain how to quickly find a Web page that is hidden in your bookmarks somewhere, and you don’t have a clue what it is called and the keywords aren’t giving you what you want. Also covered are RSS feeds, Live Bookmarks, and memory tools such as using history, managing cookies, using the password manager, and clearing tracks.
Many people love Firefox because it’s customizable. One way to make it your own is by changing the theme (look and feel). “Dressing up Firefox” explains how to find and change themes.
Another way to get what you want out of Firefox is through extensions, covered in chapter 5’s “Personalizing Firefox.” Yeow shows multiple ways of installing extensions and using the extension manager. The chapter works through the extensions the author recommends (he provides a good selection) and how they work.
Intermediate Firefox users most likely want to jump ahead to chapter 6, “Tips, Tricks, and Hacks” and maybe chapter 7, which is for Web developers. Chapter 6 looks at about:config and how to modify preferences through its interface. Then Yeow shows where to find the user’s profile, and covers what files are included in the profile and what they do. Find great tips on how to mark unread tabs, shift the sidebar to the right, and disabling annoying 1996 Web site features like blink and scrolling marquee.
“Web Development Nirvana” highlights the tools that come with Firefox for developers and which extensions make development easier including LiveHTTHeaders, Web Developer Toolbar, and Greasemonkey. The book closes out with troubleshooting and information about browser’s nightly builds.
The book only has minor shortcomings. The tips and warning sidebars text is smaller than the rest of the book’s contents. It might be difficult for some people to read.
While it’s nice that a bonus CD came with it, it’s outdated (v1.0.3 and current is 1.0.6. It also has Thunderbird 1.0.3 and the current is 1.5 Beta 1.). At least, it doesn’t increase the book cost and gives newer users an easier start as they don’t have to worry about downloading files.
It’s a well-rounded book written in a friendly and easy going style that should get new users up-to-speed and provide experienced users with tips to maximize the Firefox browsing experience. The book helps you discover this mighty browser outside of what comes in the box or download. The companion Web site has sample chapters available.
Title: Firefox Secrets
Author: Cheah Chu Yeow
Publisher: Sitepoint
ISBN: 0975240242
Date: June 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 292
Cover Price: USD: $29.95 Amazon: $19.77

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