Six firefox add-ons for the web developer or designer

Eric Lightbody — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:22:40 +0000

Here is a list of 6 add-ons I use as a web developer. What are your favorites?

Web Developer Toolbar

This one is listed first because it was the first firefox extension I installed. An oldie but goodie, this plugin does everything from disabling javascript to posting your markup to the w3c validator. I still find myself discovering new things with this plugin. An absolute must have!
Web Analytics Solution Profiler/Debugger (WASP)

WASP is a powerful add-on for analytics. It also has a ton of features, but I use it for one feature in particular. WASP displays the tracking code that the current site is using. It’s great for making sure the tracking code you implemented on a site is actually working.
Firebug

If I had only one choice for an add-on, this without a doubt would be it. This plugin in a nutshell allows you to inspect and edit the dom, html, css, and javascript live. If you don’t understand the dom, or are curious how javascript can manipulate it, firebug is an excellent tool to help you learn. Hats off to the developers, this plugin is truly indispensable.
Live HTTP Headers

I recently discovered live http headers due to a post by Neal Grosskopf. With this add-on you can easily view the http headers. It is great for debugging.
Colorzilla

Colorzilla allows you to take a color sample of the current page in firefox. No longer do you have to take screenshots and use the eyedropper tool in Photoshop.
Link Checker

I don’t use this add-on a ton, but I’m so thankful it was developed every time I do use it. Link checker crawls every url on your current page and gives you a color code for every bad and good link. Another great time saver.

eric lightbody » design

Six firefox add-ons for the web developer or designer

Web Developer Toolbar

Web Analytics Solution Profiler/Debugger (WASP)

Firebug

Live HTTP Headers

Colorzilla

Link Checker