We love Firefox for its extensibility, but sometimes we run into an extension or two that dons the “Experimental” label on the Firefox add-ons site. We prefer highlighting extensions once they’ve been approved by Mozilla—both so we know they’ve been vetted and so we can save you the effort of registering with Mozilla to install something—so we generally pass them by. When enough of them pile up in our watch list, we highlight them in one big post (see our two previous posts) in an effort to give the extensions the extra push of popularity that can expedite the approval process. So without further ado, read on for a closer look at some awesome Firefox extensions we’re into.
Google has upgraded the optional Accessible Search feature available from Google Labs. Now, individual results pop up in bright, blue boxes with large text you can choose to make larger. You can navigate results with the keyboard, with alert sounds, and a screenreader will read back the highlighted entry. Just visit the Experimental Search page, scroll down to Accessible View and click the Join this Experiment button. Anyone else find it quicker to scan and less cluttered than the regular search results page? [via]
Optus this week launched an IOU feature on its prepaid mobile plans, in effect giving you emergency access if your credit runs out and you can’t find somewhere to top it up (or you’re waiting until pay day). Text IOU to 468 and you get $3 of credit, which is automatically deducted from the value of your next top-up. That could potentially be helpful, but note the fine print: you need to top up within three days or you’ll lose the value of the credit, while still being charged for it. Also, you can’t use the option until your balance dips below $1.50. Rates remain the same as your existing plan, so if you really do need that $3 to survive until Friday, spend it on texts for maximum value. Optus IOU
The developer responsible for the user script that integrates Calendar and Reader into your Gmail has updated his script to do a few key things: collapse your inbox for easy calendar and feed browsing, and work with Google Apps accounts. Unlike the Gmail Labs gadget which adds your agenda to the sidebar, this script gives you full calendar access below your inbox. Here’s where you can get the latest version, called Gmail with Collapsible & Minimalist Inbox plus Google Calendar, Reader, Notebook, etc. The user script requires Firefox with the Greasemonkey extension installed to run. Thanks, Michael!
Mac OS X only: As the name suggests, free plug-in iPhoto2Gmail adds Gmail integration to OS X’s default photo management software, iPhoto. Windows users enjoy no-nonsense integration with Gmail via Picasa, but since Google hasn’t made the OS X jump with Picasa, iPhoto2Gmail makes adds the functionality for you. The plug-in supports your actual Gmail contacts and optionally resizes the photo before you email it. If you’re a Gmail lover who hasn’t set up Mail to send email, this plug-in is just the ticket. iPhoto2Gmail is a free download, Mac OS X only. iPhoto2Gmail
If you want to try out the new release of open-source office application OpenOffice 3 without having to install it, you can check it out in your browser thanks to Ulteo Onine Desktop. Sign up for free to access a full-feature version of the software in your browser, and try it out for up to 25 minutes a session (paid accounts start at $US6.50 a month). ArsTechnica has an updated review of OpenOffice 3 via Ulteo, and say the new version running is a tad snappier than the previous one.
Besides data privacy, the big consideration around moving your data to the “cloud” is what happens if servers go down. However, in a big toot for cloud computing (and their own products and interest), Google says that Gmail is more reliable than Exchange, Groupwise, and Lotus—a total of 10-15 minutes of downtime per month over the last year.
Eager to try out Vista Service Pack 2 but don’t feel like waiting until it leaves beta? Weblog CyberNet details how to download Vista SP2 via Windows Update by joining the SP2 Beta program using a small batch file. SP2 promises improved search, better Bluetooth support, native Blu-Ray burning, and more. If you’ve tried it out, share your experience in the comments.
Windows Vista only: Free, open-source application Vistumbler scans wireless networks within range of your Wi-Fi antenna, tracks signal strength over time, and handles pretty much everything else that other apps of this kind do. What sets Vistumbler apart from the rest is its support for GPS and live Google Earth tracking, which plots hotspots on a map. The whole thing is really cool, but unfortunately I (and I suspect many of you) don’t have the tools on hand to try out the really impressive features. Still, Vistumbler is an excellent tool even without without the GPS to Google Earth mapping. Vistumbler is free download, Windows Vista only. If you’re on XP and you want similar Google Earth integration with NetStumbler, check out Earth Stumbler. Thanks VashtiDunlop!
VistumblerMusic search engine Hushie scours the web to find MP3s for your listening enjoyment. The search interface and results are similar to previously reviewed MixTurtle, but while you can’t build a playlist with Hushie like you can with MixTurtle you can save the music you find there. Listen to the song immediately or right click and save the file for later playback. Hushie [via MakeUseOf]
