No web browser is perfect, and no web browser does everything
just the way everyone wants it to.
Enter add-ons. Also called extensions or plug-ins, add-ons
let third-party companies and users with programming skills extend the browser's
functionality in different ways. They are your ticket to a customized web.
Mozilla Firefox is known as the world's most extensible web
browser, which is a big reason for its appeal among web geeks. But users of
Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7, Windows Vista's native browser, need not be
left out in the cold when it comes to add-ons.
Here's our roundup of the seven best ways to trick out IE7.
You can find even more extensions at the
Windows Marketplace.
1.
ieSpell
It's a shame a spell-checker wasn't built into IE7, but ieSpell corrects that
oversight. Once installed, ieSpell does a nice job of staying out of the way
until you need it. There are three ways to activate the spell-checker: from the
tools menu, from its own top-level menu and from the contextual (right-click)
menu. If you happen to use a branded version of IE7 such as those from MSN or
AOL, ieSpell will only be accessible from the right-click menu. IeSpell is also
available for Internet Explorer 6.
2.
Inline Search
Supercharging Internet Explorer's searching capabilities, Inline Search provides
find-as-you-type functionality on the web page you're currently visiting. A
quick keyboard shortcut (Ctrl-F) will bring up a toolbar at the base of your
browser window, a behavior that closely mimics Firefox's built-in search
functionality. Inline Search lets you find as you type, highlight all instances
of your search terms on the page or make your search case-sensitive.
Regrettably, the keyboard shortcuts aren't customizable, so you'll want to
memorize the following shortcuts: Esc closes the search pane when it's in focus,
F3 or Enter will find the next occurrence of your search term and Shift-F3 or
Shift-Enter will find the previous occurrence. Inline Search is also available
for IE6.
3.
IE7 Open Last Closed Tab
This add-on does exactly what its name implies: It creates a keyboard shortcut
(Alt-X) to restore a tab after it's been closed. IE7 Open Last Closed Tab isn't
the most glamorous of add-ons, but it will save you from fat-fingered mistakes
and overly hasty decisions.
4.
Add
Search Providers
Let's face it: Microsoft's Windows Live Search is a dog. But don't worry, you
can add new search engines to IE7's built-in search field with ease. Head over
to the Add Search Providers page and choose your preferred service's pre-built
tool. Don't see your favorite site listed? Just follow the instructions for the
Add Search Provider page's Create Your Own tool. IE7 does the rest.
5.
Trailfire Toolbar
Leave behind virtual sticky notes on web pages for others to view. IE7 users can
install the add-on and start sharing "trailmarks" with fellow Trailfire users.
These marks are little notes on individual web pages that can be strung together
to form your own interpretive trail across the web. Trailfire Toolbar is also
available for IE6.
6.
StumbleUpon Toolbar
Haven't tried the random web yet? The StumbleUpon Toolbar for IE7 lets you
stumble and bumble your way through the web. Keep clicking the Stumble button as
you "channel surf" through sites that like-minded users have marked as
interesting, helpful or informative. For background on StumbleUpon,
see our
review of social bookmarking sites. Caution: It's highly addictive.
StumbleUpon also makes an add-on for IE6.
7.
GooglePreviewIE
Want to see a preview of a web page before you visit? The GooglePreviewIE
toolbar provides customized search-results pages with thumbnail previews for
popular sites like Google, Yahoo and Amazon. GooglePreviewIE's thumbnail images
are only visible when searching through the toolbar -- a normal web search will
still give you default results. It's extra handy for image and product searches.
GooglePreviewIE is also available for IE6.
