In its  latest versions, Firefox has begun sporting a new tool called Private Browsing.  It’s really a great tool and it really has more than one use!  Basically when you are in Private Browsing mode, Firefox will not remember the following:

• browser history,
• search history,
• download history,
• web form history,
• cookies, or
• temporary internet files

You’re basically browsing the Internet anonymously.  Its really easy to do, just go to “TOOLS” and then “START PRIVATE BROWSING” (or CTRL-SHIFT-P) and you’re in.

Well, many people on the Internet seem to be highlighting one particular use for such an option and I just wanted to come out and say that there IS more than one use for it!  Basically people are saying that it is a great way to cover your tracks if you have been browsing some less than desirable websites and you don’t want other people to see your browsing habits.  That’s the nice version.

Let’s see if we can list some other uses or reasons we would want to use the Private Browsing feature in Firefox.

1. Gift buying – Christmas is coming soon and it would be nice to shop online on the family computer without ruining the suprise, right?
2. Online banking (and other financial stuff) – If you are using a computer that other people are using, keep your finances to yourself!
3. Other personal sites (email, etc.) – Similarly, Private Browsing does just that, it keeps your personal interactions like email, etc. private
4. Internet caches don’t build up – As you may know, as you browse the Internet, your browser saves files from website to aid in the reloading of the site the next time you visit the site.  Well, these files can build up and eventually bog your computer down if you’re not careful.  Private Browsing mode is another way to help here.

Can you think of some other uses for Private Browsing mode?  Let us know in the comments!

I ran into an article, titled “Windows 7 is the same as Ubuntu” and it caught my attention.   I know that there are VERY significant differences in Operating Systems, and I’ve heard many of the arguments as to why one OS is better than another.  Once reading through the article, I understood where the writer was heading.

Apparently the writer had his son, who had been using Ubuntu for the last few months, give Windows 7 a test drive.  One of his son’s opinions was that there really wasn’t much of a difference, at any that effected him.  You see, he pretty much “lives” within a web browser so the operating system had little effect on him.

This is the part that interests me because I think many people these days fall into this category.  As the Internet evolves, web applications seem to be replacing desktop applications (Google Docs being one example).  People are using web-based email, word processors, time management solutions, to-do lists, social networking tools, and the list goes on.

At home, most of what I do is through my beloved web browser, Portable Firefox.  I check my email, work with Google Docs, read the news, and so on.  In fact, since I’m using a portable version of Firefox, I’m not even really using a browser located on my computer.  Either way, the Internet is undoubtedly taking the place of local programs.  Isn’t there a term for this phenomenon?

Can you think of tools you used to use which resided on your computer that you now have replaced with a web-based application?  How many programs do you still use on your computer?  What are some cool web-applications you’ve come across that you find useful (or fun)?

Friday is here to welcome another Firefox Friday.

Join us as we take this opportunity to explore another facet of Firefox.

Today I want to introduce you to Firefox Themes.  Firefox has something similar to extensions that actually change the look ot the browser.  You can browse all kinds of looks and even download and install several of them and switch between them.  In this post I would like to walk you through the process of browsing for a theme, downloading it, and ultimately installing and enabling it.

First, hit up mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal and drag your mouse over the “Add-ons” button and click on the “Themes” button on the dropdown list:

Explore the page a bit and find a theme you’d like to try out:

When you find the theme you want to try, click on the “add to Firefox” button.

You may or may not be faced with a few words to read and accept.  Once you read them, click the “accept and install” button:

When given the option, click the “install now” button:

Then click the “restart Firefox” button:

Once Firefox restarts, the new theme should be enabled automatically.  If you want to change between themes, click Tools, Add-ons, Themes, and enable the one you want:

All in all, this job is pretty easy and fun.  I’m still looking for the theme that tickles my fancy so if you find one that is really cool, let me know and I’ll check it out!

What’s your favorite Firefox theme?