Firefox Hacks: Tips & Tools for Next-Generation Web Browsing (Hacks)

Book Description

Firefox Hacks is ideal for power users who want to take full advantage of Firefox from Mozilla, the next-generation web browser that is rapidly subverting Internet Explorer's once-dominant audience. It's also the first book that specifically dedicates itself to this technology. Firefox is winning such widespread approval for a number of reasons, including the fact that it lets users browse faster and more efficiently. Perhaps its most appealing strength, though, is its increased security something that is covered in great detail in Firefox Hacks. Clearly the web browser of the future, Firefox includes most of the features that browser users are familiar with, along with several new features, such as a bookmarks toolbar and tabbed pages that allow users to quickly switch among several web sites. Firefox Hacks offers all the valuable tips and tools you need to maximize the effectiveness of this hot web application. It's all covered, including how to customize its deployment, appearance, features, and functionality. You'll even learn how to install, use, and alter extensions and plug-ins. Aimed at clever people who may or may not be capable of basic programming tasks, this convenient resource describes 100 techniques for 100 strategies that effectively exploit Firefox. Or, put another way, readers of every stripe will find all the user-friendly tips, tools, and tricks they need to make a productive switch to Firefox. With Firefox Hacks, a superior and safer browsing experience is truly only pages away. The latest in O'Reilly's celebrated Hacks series, Firefox Hacks smartly complements other web-application titles such as Google Hacks and PayPal Hacks.

Customer Reviews:

Something For All Web Surfers; Something For All Firefox Developers.......2006-02-06

I have a little sideline in repairing computers, and one day a customer asked if I could help him recover all his bookmarks from the installed Mozilla version he had on his old hard drive and move them to the one on his new hard drive. Hack 25 in this book, "Migrate Firefox Profiles", told me what to do since Firefox is based on the Mozilla code base. Over several more days, I referred to other hacks in this book to guide the customer with greater skill. This book made me look like a greater expert than I really am -- which pleases me.

This is just one of several times I have quickly reached for Firefox Hacks in order to rescue either a customer or myself. It is very common for customers to want to migrate their browser data. Some consider it important enough to pay for my help to get that job done. Browsers are the most important unit of software on the internet. Buying this book is a good investment in working with Firefox as a tool.

For myself, I'm interested in the fonts I can use (Hacks 30, "Insall Fonts and Character Support", and 61, "Make MathML Content"), reviewing the basics (Hacks 1-10) and installation (Hacks 22 through 32.) I want to play with Scalable Vector Graphics which are now natively supported in Firefox 1.5. I never tire of rendering the cubic spline tiger on Croczilla: [...]

If you want to develop with Firefox (and Nigel McFarlane has written a related book on Mozilla development). check out the getting-started Hack 93, "Make Firefox Software". Enjoy the thrill of compiling your own flavor of Firefox.

My point is that Firefox Hacks has something for everyone. If you are just starting with web browing, look at Hacks 1 through 10. I learned something from most of these -- and I thought I was an expert web surfer. If you want to do deep development, refer to the "Work More Closely With Firefox" hacks in Chapter 9. Yes, I have compiled the Mozilla browser many times. If you just want to be able to play around, pick any hack in this book, read it closely, and then implement it for yourself. Go do it -- you won't be sorry.

I like McFarlane's way of describing each hack in detail rather than throwing code at you and using it to take up column-inches and pages of book space without telling you what that code really does and how to make it work. McFarlane has a gift for explaining exceedingly complex material in an easily digestible way. Every reader of this book will find at least a few hacks to zero in on and study closely. You will find that you have the careful explanation you need to make the hack understandable and workable, without being smothered with useless detail.

McFarlane cross-references and supports his hacks with other hacks and web page links for those who want to learn more. It is McFarlane's special strength that he can simplify the complex issues that come with web browsing and point you in the right direction, while actually getting you interested in some arcane bit of Firefox.

McFarlane has done an outstanding job of crafting this book. He is one of the best technical writers of our time and I am hopeful he will publish new books as well as update his existing work.

To wring the most out of Firefox as your web browser of choice, get Firefox Hacks.

Good bok for developers and admins alike.......2005-09-27

Firefox Hacks is a great collection of information about the Mozilla Firefox browser. While almost anyone who has used Firefox would learn a great deal from reading this book, developers, admins, and advanced power users would benefit most from reading this. The book starts out nicely by going under the hood to look at internal settings, then turns to presentation aids and then to developer tools. I wish I'd had the book several months ago when I was doing more development! From code development the book moves into altering the browser look and feel, and finally into extension development. Although I may never do so, it's nice getting a guided look into areas I don't see on a day to day basis.

If you want more details on Firefox than what you can find online, or just want a good reference as a jumping off point, this is definitely one of the books to have.

Good book!.......2005-09-23

"Firefox Hacks" includes a wealth of under the covers
information on the number two most used browser. This
book goes beyond the average browser user that just
uses a browser for browsing. The book covers
everything from securing Firefox to deploying Firefox
across an enterprise to using Firefox for debugging
websites. McFarlane goes into enough detail and
explanation in each of his tips so that the reader can
at least get a good understanding of the whys and
hows. I would recommend this book to anyone doing any
development using Firefox or developing for Firefox to
get into the details behind the browser.

Good book for all levels of users.......2005-08-15

Firefox has been around for several years and most of the hacks in the book are well documented on the web, but O'Reilly and Nigel McFarlane have brought you a book that brings the structure of the program and the usefulness of the hacks into one place.

The power of the "hacks" series is that you can benefit from this book even if you don't have time to read through the whole thing. If you picked up the book to help you with re-branding Firefox, then you can go just to that section. Maybe you are needing Firefox to be a test bed for standards compatibility of a particular web project you are working on, then just read the sections of the book which apply. On the other hand, if you don't know what Firefox is capable of then you need simply to browse through the whole book to see what a powerful program Firefox is.

The book covers a very wide variety of hacks. Many have to do with extensions that can be added onto Firefox. An extension can be considered as a pre-built hack with a nice installer. It is fitting then that many of these packaged hacks are covered in the book.

Outside of just general use of the book for learning what Firefox is capable of, the book has great appeal for web developers. With the extensions available to developers to help in their work, there are quite a few development tools built into Firefox. Not the least of which is its standards compatibility. To know if something is well written one simply needs to view it in Firefox to see how a standards compliant browser renders the underlying code.

The author used several phrases and vocabulary that would not be considered standard English. This is something that a company like O'Reilly, catering to their particular audience, might allow to become lax. Well written and edited books are hard to come by and often go unnoticed. It would have been better had the publisher spent a little more time on the editing of this work. It would be a shame that someone might be turned away from this book and its great content because of poor editing.

With hacks ranging in difficulty from easy to advanced, this 377 page guide will get just about anyone hacking Firefox.

I wish to offer condolences to the family of the author as he has since passed away.

completely discombobulated.......2005-07-25

I don't know where to begin, I get a headache everytime I pick up this book. It is clear that the author knows what he is talking about, but where this book falls short is the layout. This might have been a good book *if* and only if McFarlane didn't have to conform to the "Hacks" series format. It really ruins the book, most of the hacks aren't even useful for an end user and are meant for developers. These might be useful if you understand what RFC 822 means, but if you do, then why on earth do you need to buy a book that explains things you already know? Alot of the "hacks" don't even stand by themselves, this book constantly references other "hacks" making it a chore to read. Like I said, if the author was free to create his own format(not conform to "hacks" series) it might have been laid out well.

Someone must explain to me why, in a chapter entitled "Installation", why does it then go into describing the files and folders that exist only once Firefox is installed???? No where in the chapter does it mention the config.ini or install.ini. Which *ahem* are rumored to be used in the installation process. It might've been helpful *coughcough* if it detailed the options for the firefox-installer or setup.exe." It could explain what preferences might be set by the installation process, then have a seperate chapter devoted to preferences. The chapter should've been called "Preferences."

I don't understand the security chapter at all, why is it giving you ways to make Firefox *less* secure???? I suppose you could do them if you were accessing a local webpage, but how many of us do that on a regular basis, and for what purpose? Why would you turn off a security switch that has no performance hit what-so-ever? I suppose you could give a look through them and then use the exact opposite settings it defines, but most of those are already the default settings.

I could go on, but I have other things to do. If you must read this book there's an online version somewhere.

Protecting Your PC (General Computing Series)

Average customer rating:

With luck, you'll never need to go further than this book

Protecting Your PC (General Computing Series)
Ian Barile
Manufacturer: Charles River Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Privacy | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Hacking | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Security | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Network Security | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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Scheduling & E-mail | Microsoft | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1584504862

Book Description

New computer viruses are released everyday, spam continually overloads our inboxes, identity theft is in the news daily, and system crashes seem to happen for no reason! Figuring our how to protect your computer against all of these problems is a challenge for every user, so Protecting Your PC was written to help you keep your computer safe! It provides a detailed guide to the many risks that affect your interaction with your computer, including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, personal identity theft, and a variety of surreptitious tools used by hackers. Then it teaches you about the tools and techniques available for preventing these hazards from wreaking havoc on your computer. The book is divided into six major areas, including Getting Started, Malware (pop-ups, adware, spyware, etc.), Networking, the Internet (email, instant messaging, chat rooms, phishing, spam, etc.), System Maintenance, and Protecting Personal Information. So whether you use your computer for work, family finances, homework, or just for surfing- you'll learn how to have a safe and enjoyable computer experience! What you'll learn: * What the major computer hazards are and how to address, prevent, and fix them * How to protect your computer from viruses, spyware, adware, and personal information theft * How to stop spam and avoid pop-up ads * What potential system and security issues come with instant messaging and chat rooms * How parents can protect children on the Internet * How to avoid viruses, worms, and Trojan horses * How to surf the Web safely using firewalls and intrusion detection * How to back up and recover from a disaster, install operating system patches, create secure passwords, and protect personal and confidential information The book also includes a CD-ROM with Norton Internet Security 2006 trial software from Symantec that allows you to implement the lessons from the book and start protecting your system immediately.

Customer Reviews:

With luck, you'll never need to go further than this book.......2006-06-06

Using a computer that's connected to the Internet seems to be to be a lot like living in the old west must have been. That is rather like a law of the jungle with the Sheriff out of town a lot.
There are people out there who would like to send your computer troublesome software like viruses, spyware, adware, all kinds of malware. For some reason they seem to think that just your being there is an open invitation for them to try to compromise your system.

The author is a principle software engineer for Symantec, the company that produces the Norton security software. In this book he describes the various types of attacks you are likely to get and tells you how to protect yourself from virtually all types. He includes with the book a trial version of Norton's Internet Secutiry 2006 and tells you how to get the best out of it.

The interesting thing about computer security is that if it is working perfectly you never know that its there. You simply use your computer without interruption, without popups, without mysterious -- well, you get the picture.

How to Protect Your Children on the Internet: A Road Map for Parents and Teachers

Average customer rating:

Protect your children
Excellent road map for parents!
Excellent

How to Protect Your Children on the Internet: A Road Map for Parents and Teachers
Gregory S. Smith
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0275994724

Book Description

The Internet has transformed the way people research, shop, conduct business, and communicate. But the Internet and technologies that enable online interaction and access to a variety of content can be a perilous place for minors 8 to 18. The dangers are real, and parents and teachers today are confronted with many threats they simply do not understand. This book shares the risks of the Internet by detailing recent, real-world tragedies and revealing some of the secrets of online activities. It provides a pragmatic approach to help parents and teachers protect children against the threats of going online. Parents and teachers are often ill-equipped to deal with the variety of devices and applications such as email, instant messaging, browsing, blogs, cell phones, and personal digital assistant devices (PDAs) that can facilitate the dangers lurking online. How to Protect Your Children on the Internet offers a comprehensive overview of the ways in which youth use such technologies and exposes the risks they represent. At the same time, it provides a roadmap that will enable parents and teachers to become more engaged in children's online activities, arming them with techniques and tips to help protect their children. Smith underscores his arguments through chilling, real-life stories, revealing approaches people are using to deceive and to conceal their activities online. Filled with practical advice and recommendations, his book is indispensable to anyone who uses the Internet and related technologies, and especially to those charged with keeping children safe.

Customer Reviews:

Protect your children.......2007-10-02

Greg Smith has written an important book for parents. Using his experience as a senior IT leader and a parent, he lets parents know the risks of children being connected and how to protect them.

The author makes the reader aware of the many dangers of connected electronic devices, not only computers but also cell phones. At a very young age, children are using computers and the age when children have their own cell phones seems to creep down every year. Many parents are not as technically sophisticated as their children, especially parents of teenagers. He urges parents to take control by learning about technology, using the tools available to safeguard and monitor children's activities on-line, and talking with your kids. His easy to understand recommendations let parents know what they need to do, going as far as recommending specific products and providing "How-to" instructions, customized for the age of your child.

As Mr. Smith states in his book, "You're just two clicks away from just about anything." Make sure your children are safe.

Excellent road map for parents!.......2007-09-07

This book provides useful and easily understandable information for parents regarding protecting their children on the Internet. Even if you think your kids aren't using the Internet, they are. Statistics show that 96% of 13 yr olds use the Internet on a regular basis. So as parents, and as a teacher, it's important to know and understand how to keep your child safe.

I highly recommend this book for all parents. Even if you think your child is safe or that you know all there is to know, you can never be to safe when it comes to your children.

Excellent.......2007-09-06

This book goes into great detail of what you, as a parent, need to do to keep your kids safe on the Internet.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that has children on the Internet.

I'm On the Internet, Now What?!: E-Mail/ Shopping Online/ Surfing And Chatting

Average customer rating:

I'm On the Internet, Now What?!: E-Mail/ Shopping Online/ Surfing And Chatting
Matthew Lake , and Matt Lake
Manufacturer: Silver Lining
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

E-mail | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0760726523

Book Description

Even if the web is all a mystery to you, you can explore its limitless possibilities, starting with what's most interesting. First, stop on the "What Now?" cruise: E-mail. Contact friends, join discussion groups with your favorite interests, play in live-action chat rooms. Research the phone numbers of lost loves, locate your name in the papers, genealogies, health and medical info, the latest news, and expert advice for your personal life, career, and hobbies. You can shop the universe with a secure credit card to reserve airline tickets, car rentals, hotel reservations, concert tickets. Try banking and paying bills online. Listen to any radio station in the world, watch live views of almost anything, and filter the web for your kids.

Cybersafety: Surfing Safely Online (Teen Issues)

Average customer rating:

Cybersafety, Surfing Safely Online
An excellent practical guide
Cybersafety in an insecure world

Cybersafety: Surfing Safely Online (Teen Issues)
Joan Vos MacDonald
Manufacturer: Enslow Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Computers | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Internet | Computers | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Culture | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Computers | Science & Technology | Teens | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0766015807

Customer Reviews:

Cybersafety, Surfing Safely Online.......2001-08-18

This is the book I've been searching for! My kids and I both use the Internet, but since they are more adept than I am at web-surfing and chatrooms, I needed to become savvy at heading off the dangers they could encounter. Joan Vos MacDonald provides a much needed map of the terrain, and specifics on how to avoid and deflect trouble. Cybersafety is sensible and respectful of both parents and kids, undermining neither. Now, I can talk to my kids without being alarmist or playing cop, and I also have a better appreciation for their choices and activities on the Net. I highly recommend Cybersafety, especially to read aloud and discuss!

An excellent practical guide.......2001-08-17

I found a lot of very good, practical information for keeping safe on-line. I thought the writing was clear and easy to understand. I've bought two additional copies to send to young people in my family who use the web a lot.

Cybersafety in an insecure world.......2001-08-16

Joan Vos MacDonald has managed to give us web-surfers a much-needed security blanket. She has written an insightful book that makes us aware of the ignorance, and, perhaps, naivete, with which we approach the worldwide web. If any of us assumed that surfing the internet was a secure and, somewhat innocuous, exercise, Cybersafety: Surfing Safely Online has brought our mistaken assumptions to light. This book should be on everyone's MUST READ list, and should make its way to every parents Christmas stocking.

Average customer rating:

Shhh! It's a Secret

Surfing Anonymously
Florian Schaeffer
Manufacturer: Data Becker
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Privacy | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Network Security | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1585071145

Book Description

Reveals the latest information on privacy and the Internet in a quick, easy to follow format that gets to the point FAST!

Surfing Anonymously reveals the latest information on privacy and the Internet in a quick, easy to follow format that gets to the point FAST! This title is perfect for anyone who wants to learn practical solutions for maintaining their privacy and security while browsing the web. Step-by-step instructions, visual aids, and brief explanations teach you everything from surfing the web without a trace, to protecting yourself from harmful viruses.

Customer Reviews:

Shhh! It's a Secret.......2002-08-07

SURFING ANONYMOUSLY
AUTHOR: Florian Schaeffer
PUBLISHER: DataBecker
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades

BOOK REVIEW: Remember the old adage: "There is no such thing as a free lunch" and "Let the buyer beware"? This applies also to free dial-up services. Once again Data Becker provides a small but power-packed book on surfing the web anonymously. This book contains the notes and tips sections that the Fast Byte Series is noted for and lots of information packed into only 160 pages.

Provider passwords, free dial-up services, setting the security risk in Office and Internet Explorer, how to handle email properly, and viruses and their kind are all discussed in Surfing Anonymously. The reader is given tips and suggestions on how to handle various subjects with safety.

Book Description

The Complete Idiot's Guide to WebTV and WebTV Plus covers features of the different types of WebTV Internet terminals and accessories, basic WebTV hardware operation, WebTV Network use, and general Internet navigation. You will find everything you need to use WebTV in this single volume, from pre-purchase information to system setup to more experienced Web surfing and communications. As an added bonus, the tear-out card in this book features a map of the important keys on the WebTV keyboard, as well as a map of the sometimes-confusing WebTV Network services.

Customer Reviews:

Best info yet on Webtv.......2003-04-25

One of the better books on the Webtv system. Up to date, especially on the plus model, which really ic the only way to go with Webtv service.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Surfing The Internet w webtv.......2000-01-22

I found this book very very helpful. It covers the subject very well. I would highly recomend this book. also. Online Search Secrets. The information appears to be written by someone who has actually used the webtv unit.

A Fun and Exciting Book About Web TV!.......1999-11-09

Web TV technology has opened the doors for many people to gain access to the Internet without the need and use of computers. There are a variety of models and accessories available to bring the Internet onscreen at home. Michael Miller has written The Complete Idiot's Guide to Surfing the Internet With Web TV to offer his readers a lot of detailed information about this emerging technology and the best equipment and ways to put it to use!

Readers will learn the pros & cons of the various name-brand models available, the kinds of accessories, including printers, that can be used with them, and the different ways one can hook-up their equipment. Installation and set-up instructions are easy to follow. Readers will have no trouble learning how best to use their Web TV equipment to join the rest of the online community!

Plenty of instruction on surfing the 'Net, hitting the newsgroups, visiting chat rooms, and e-mailing is provided to get readers up and running quickly. Readers are also provided with a number of Web TV and Internet Websites to visit. They are introduced to online shopping, auctioning, researching, and other activities that will arouse their interest in online communications.

Web TV has a future. Web TV is ideal for beginners who have chosen to go that route, for kids too young to learn how to use computers, and seniors who don't want to mess around with computers at all. This fun and exciting book will help Web TV users get started and become a more active part of this exciting technology scene!

Pretty Darn Bad.......1999-10-31

Did anybody pay attention while producing this book? Why wasn't it fact-checked? In the tables comparing WebTV Classic and WebTV Plus, the information is completely reversed! Not just in one table, but in all the comparison tables showing price and features. Newcomers especially should stay away from this book. Try the WebTV for Dummies book.

Average customer rating:

They're only watching..
keep an open mind
surfing the psychic internet

Surfing the psychic internet
Daz, Smith
Manufacturer: Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1430309407

Book Description

Surfing the psychic internet is a mystical journey into the hidden dimensions that surround us all. It charts the explorations of a small group of psychics, through the eyes of Daz Smith to far off worlds through a dimensional portal. Throughout these travels we communicate with and meet Alien beings, Angels, Spiritual masters and a dark presence that stalks the traveler waiting for a time to strike. These experiences also contain some of the most fundamental and insightful answers to the questions we all ask in our day-to-day life about man and our personal place in the universe. The psychic internet exists all around you, it flows through you, it is you. - By using and reading this book it's now time for you to explore its potential and surf the psychic internet for yourself.

Customer Reviews:

They're only watching.. .......2007-04-28

Having read the book I would make a few suggestions. Keep your candle lit and ignore the shadows dancing in the peripheral of your vision as you read. Daz has created a stunning compendium of his psychic and mystical experiences with detailed perceptions of those experiences. He has been chosen by the light and fought the dark to bring you the messages within.

Before you turn in for the night, don't forget to blow out the candle and ignore those still dancing shadows, they're only watching..

keep an open mind.......2007-02-28

I found this book by Daz Smith to be an informative and engaging read. The style is very descriptive and flows well. The paranormal experiences of the author were truly thought-provoking and made me want to keep an open mind to the possibilities of the mind and spirit.

surfing the psychic internet.......2006-12-04

An excellent read, you almost feel you are in the meditation room with the author, you can almost feel what he feels and see what he sees, very descriptive, informative and a psychic primer for those wishing to travel accross time and space, from the comfort of your own arm chair.
I would definitely recomend it

Business/Surfing for Success in Business 1997: A Student's Guide to the Internet

Average customer rating:

Business/Surfing for Success in Business 1997: A Student's Guide to the Internet
Ricky W. Griffin , Ronald J. Ebert , and Andrew T. Stull
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall College Div
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0138906823

The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Internet (A Perfect Companion to Netscape Internet Essentials)

Average customer rating:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Internet (A Perfect Companion to Netscape Internet Essentials)

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0789719843

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