Some of these extensions add functionality (British English Dictionary for example), some restrict functionality (Addblock Plus for example). All in all, the goal for installing and using these extensions is make the web a bit more of a bearable, less annoying place.
The extensions listed should work on both Windows and Linux versions on the respective browsers.
Firefox
The grand-daddy browser for extensions. If it's available as an extension, chances are it's available for Firefox.
- Addblock Plus and Filters : Covered extensively in my blog post here. A must
- British English Dictionary : Well worth having if your spelling is as bad as mine!
- Custom Download Manager : Manage your downloads in a firefox tab
- Vacuum Places Improved : Speeds up firefox. See this Lifehacker article
- Extended Copy Menu : Add option to remove text formatting when copying
- ProCon Latte Parental Control : Not tested myself but heard good things about
Some up and coming extensions, worthy of a mention. Spell checking is built into Chrome, so that's one off the list to start with.
- Adblock and Filters : Chrome version of Adblock
- Addblock Button : Adds button to easily control Adblock
- Downloads Button : Allows quick access button to downloads dialogue
- History Button : Allows quick access to browsing history
- Copy Without Formatting : Not as user friendly as Firefox version, does the job
What's that? Internet Explorer? No sorry, don't use it.
OK, OK, just for you IE fans, have a look at IE7Pro. With spell check, ad blocking and crash recovery to name just a some of the additional functionality this adds to IE, it should keep you IE fans happy for a while.
I've not used IE7Pro myself, but looks good. Would be interested if there is anyway to incorporate the Easylist filters (as used with Firefox and Chrome) into the IE7Pro ad blocker...
- Chris