And WHY aren’t you using Firefox yet?
I can NOT believe that over half of my visitors still view my blog in Internet Explorer. Before you read any further, go to www.mozilla.com/firefox/ and download and install Firefox. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
There now. Isn’t that better? Don’t let the learning curve stop you. You can do it! It’s not THAT different, come on. I don’t want to hear your excuses. “They” say it’s faster and safer than IE. And as a designer, I know that IE can do some wonky things that Firefox doesn’t do. I have no idea WHY. I just know.
And now that you have Firefox, you can install some really cool extensions. They’re super easy to install. Even I can do it without twittering for help, and you don’t even know what a technological feat that is. Let me tell you about these cool extensions.
1. Easy Comment helps you fill out blog comments forms by entering a pre-filled name, email and web homepage address and then it will automatically fill those in when you go to comment on your favorite blogs.
Those of you who have told me you’re frustrated that my blog comment form doesn’t remember your info — well, here you go!
To start using Easy Comment after it is installed, click on the easyComment text in the status bar (that’s at the very bottom of your browser screen) and fill up the information in the comment form that will pop up. This will only have to be done one time. Then when you go to comment on a blog, simply click on the easyComment text in the status bar and it will fill in the comment for for you. I’ve been using it, and it’s AWESOME. Only thing to beware of: FIRST click on easyComment and get the comment form filled in. THEN write your comment. If you write your comment first and then go to fill in the comment form, it may lose your comment.
See, like this:
2. Better GReader allows you to read full feeds in your Google Reader (once again, out with Bloglines, in with Google Reader) and look at the blog like it should appear. AND you can comment right from the Google Reader instead of having to click through to the site.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
And another bonus, the blogger gets her ad credits, too, which she typically doesn’t when her blog is viewed only in a feed reader. We would ALL appreciate that! 
See, it looks like this:
NOTE: You will need to download, install, then restart Firefox. Then when you go to Google Reader, it will look the same as always until you click on the title of a post you want to read/comment on — then it will appear in its entirety as it looks on their blog.
So there you go! Two awesome Firefox Extensions that Work For Me!
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Great! I’ve added both of these, and am looking forward to seeing them in action!
I’ve been a firefox convert for a number of months now. I only wished that it worked with my firm system…
OOH! I have some great ones but I don’t have these two! Awesome, thanks!
You’re such a trendsetter. For real. You could tell me that I’d get the most exhilarating feeling if only I’d jump off that bridge over there and, well, I might just do it. I’d like to think I wouldn’t but…
I’m off to download these extensions now. Because you told me I *have* to have them.
Awesome add-ons! I just installed them both. The one that I can’t live without is Web Developer.
I just used one to fill in this form – woo hoo!
Okay. I use IE. Hubby has tried to convert me for the past year to Firefox. There are some quirks about Firefox I don’t really like. One is the font change. I can’t explain it but for some reason the font is really light and I can’t hardly see it.
Now, I’m going over to Firefox and bringing this up to check out the Comment thing you mentioned.
In the words of Arnold S. — I’ll be back.
I LOVE Firefox. My favorite thing is that auto-spell check that underlines in red my questionable spelling due to too-quick typing typos.
Absolutely not, no way, no how. My “stuff” fills in on some of your sites, just not this one. I have tried FF,I have tried Chrome…honestly NO ONE has the same features IE has…it may be quirky but it is the most comprehensive to this day. THanks though!
You know I love ya and will keep coming back no matter what!
LOL, Terra. This auto fill in extension WILL work though. But yes, you have to switch to Firefox. Tell me what features IE has that Firefox doesn’t. I dare ya!!
Jennifer — YES! Those red lines for spell check. I couldn’t live without them now.
I’m back. I’m not seeing the easy comment button in the status bar though. I’ve tried installing it twice. Sheesh.
OK. Seriously did not know about that 2nd one. You just made my life easier!!
Awesome I’m checking it out right now!
I might be a Firefox convert just for these two extensions. Commenting directly from my reader? Sold.
I’m totally doing the easy comment thing, but I have a question about google reader: don’t I have to have a gmail address?
Jenene, you have to have your feeds in google reader. Not sure about the gmail address. But if you’re a bloglines user, it means moving to google reader, which I finally did when Bloglines got all wonky last fall. There is a way to export your feeds so you don’t have to copy and paste them all.
I LOVE firefox and all the wonderful extensions they have. I also cant believe how little people use them. I also cant believe people don’t use google reader, its the greatest thing ever and sharing is awesome.
Love firefox and those sound cool.
I’m a Microsoft wife…I can’t do it…sorry!
Why do I feel this huge need to hold Terra down and threaten to draw on her face with a magic marker?
I completely hate IE. I swear my computer squawks at me every time I accidentally open it.
Like Dawn, I love the web developer. It saves so much time when searching for css problems.
thanks for telling me about those. going to install now.
Thanks for posting the Better GReader! I hadn’t come across that one, and being able to post comments from the feed reader is VERY USEFUL!
Very good HOW-TO post!! Valuable information. Good job.
Love the Easy Comment Add-On! Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for the add ons – love the better greader and added it but it doesn’t seem to be working for me. Maybe I need to reboot my computer, not just restart firefox?
Thank you! I love my Firefox. And now I’m in love with Better GReader! I have a deep, fiery hatred for IE.
In my home — we heart firefox!
I have been debating the conversion for months, but the GReader might be that final push! Thanks dear!
Thank you. Thank you. Loving the easyComment!
I LOVE Firefox extensions. Thanks for the heads up about easyComment – didn’t know about this one!
Well shoot. I was so excited about the GReader. But it isn’t showing up after I installed it. Oh well.
Reboot didn’t work either. Shoot! Did I need to do more than click on “Add To Firefox”?
GOT IT!!! The preview only works in list view, not expanded.
Love Firefox. Anything to get further away from Microsoft the better! Safari is my second fav.
I love and use both of these. However my favorite Firefox extension/plug-in is Adblock.
No, I’m not blocking anything on your blog. But when I kept having a VS ad show up on the login screen for one of my email tools and another ad kept playing music every time I visited a particular online newspaper I was able to rid them from being downloaded and shown with Adblock.
Totally cool!!!! Thanks for the tips!!! I get soooo overwhelmed when trying to look for all of them. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing! My favorite FF extension is Tab Mix Plus. Here are the features:
Tab Mix Plus enhances Firefox’s tab browsing capabilities. It includes such features as duplicating tabs, controlling tab focus, tab clicking options, undo closed tabs and windows, plus much more. It also includes a full-featured session manager.
I love firefox too! I was introduced to it almost 5 years ago, and I wouldn’t use any other browser!
Praise you. Really. ~sniffle~
I’m a L O N G time Firefox user and I’m never going back. Great extensions! Thanks!
Julie, My husband says you can change the font.
I too have been trying to convince readers to make the switch. Just got a new PC. Couldn’t even handle 10 minutes of IE. So installed FF right away. Another favorite add-on. Foxmarks bookmark synchronizer. Took 2 seconds to get all my bookmark-related, favorites, folders, toolbar, and tags on my new PC.
Too cool – thanks!!
Thank you, thank you! I’d heard about this, but still always go to my IE on my google reader! Hopefully next time I comment I’m on Firefox!
Just downloaded it. You rock. And while I was at it I downloaded an add-on that makes my tabs all purty and colorful. Off to download a Facbook add-on.
Thank you, Jo-Lynne. I finally, finally, FINALLY got Firefox installed on my laptop WITH the necessary Flash program that seemed impossible to download. The problem was half me and half the program installer’s goofy instructions. I am now functioning well in my Google reader, able to see full blogs. Yay!!
And I just used my Easy Comment button to enter this comment. Love that!
Okay, so I’m not posting from my reader YET! BUT, I’ve made the transition to Firefox and have a question. What skin is best to use in your Reader to pull up comments. If I put it on the Minimal one, I can’t toggle from expanded view to list view. From what I can tell, list view is the only way to go and pull up the comments. And it’s sort of a pain, because I then have to find it on the page, scroll down and to the right until I find the spot then comment. It’s almost just as fast to click on the link and go to the actual website. Help me LOVE this, lol!
Clarice, true confessions. I had no idea there were any such thing as skins in my google reader. I also didn’t know there is an expanded view and list view.
I have no idea how I have mine set up — whatever the default is, I’m sure. But here is what I do:
I go into Google Reader. On the left is a narrow window that lists all my subscriptions. On the right is a wider window that shows new posts from a variety of blogs I subscribe to (in what order, I have no idea). So I look down my list on the left, choose a blog I want to catch up on, click on it, and it appears in the wide right screen. Then if I want to comment, I have to click on the title of the post to see it as it would be on the blog. Then I click on the comment button to comment, and etc.
I can see how you mean that it really doesn’t save steps b/c I could click on the title of the blog, go to the blog, then click on the comment button and comment.
So… for some reason I like it. But I see your point.