Want to clear any stored information about one web site in particular, without clearing out all of your browser’s history files?  Hidden deep within the Firefox browser, there is a way to clear Firefox’s history for just one single web site.  You just have to know where to look.

From the Firefox menu bar, click on History and then Show All History. This should pull up the Library window.  Now, in the Library’s search box (located in the top-right corner) type in the name of the web site you want to forget. 

Scroll through your results, till you find the web site you wish to forget and select it.  Now, right-click on the entry and click, “Forget About This Site”.  All history items (browsing and download history, cookies, cache, active logins, passwords, saved form data, exceptions for cookies, images, pop-ups) will be removed only for that site. So be careful with using this choice and only use it if you really want Firefox to forget everything.

Now your browser history is cleared of that one annoying web site.

Amazon.com is the Web’s version of Walmart.  Almost everything you could need is there, and they make it so simple to shop there and the prices so low, you cannot help but come back again and again for more.  If you find yourself turning to Amazon every time you order something online, then you might want to check out the Amazon Button add-on for Firefox.

The Directory of Amazon Goodness

With this extension installed, you can easily navigate through the most popular destinations on Amazon’s web site.  The default drop down menu selection is huge, because it lists every category Amazon covers for your shopping needs.   Users can add up to three custom menu items too.

Context Search and Customization

Once the Amazon Button is up and running in your Firefox browser, you can highlight any text, right-click and search Amazon.com for it.  You can also customize the destination for the main button itself. If you have a favorite Amazon.com page you would like to have quick and easy access to, this would be the place to point to it.

While there is an Amazon toolbar you can use too, I like the Amazon.com button because it provides all the same great tools with less of the clutter.  This is a must have add-on for Firefox if you are an Amazon shop-a-holic.

You can pick up the Amazon Button from the Firefox Add-ons web site.

The Mozilla Labs Design Challenge based around redesigning the home tab is just about over.  This contest was put together by the Mozilla Labs team to inspire some new discussion and creativity on how a new home tab might look and feel in future versions of Firefox, such as Firefox 4. 

Now that the contest is coming close to the conclusion, we can all check out the top 10 designs that were voted on the most by the Mozilla fan base.  Here are the top 10 voted on submissions in the first round of voting for this specific challenge.

Alberto Moreno Alecsandru Grigoriu Amine Zafri Chad Pommiss Daniel Goodwin

Manu Kumar Maurice Lam NorCal Design Council Sam Horne Yatrik Solanki

Be sure to check out more (including video tours for each winner) here:

• Mozilla Labs Design Challenge: The Home Tab

Remember to check back on the design challenge site March 15th to see who wins the best in class honors.  I also want to give my own pat on the back to all the designers who submitted their entries and that made it into the top ten.  All of the submissions I checked out were top notch, and I am sure they will all help Mozilla decide on the best new home tab for Firefox 4.

Now I know I went on a ‘bit of a rant the other day about how some Personas just are not worth the time of day, however some really do fit in well with the Firefox browser too.  Here are 10 of the most popular abstract Personas I found usable and beautiful.

Groovy Blue

Abstract Black

Gray and Black

Abstract splash

Arcane Green Horizon

Windows 7

Aurora Australis

Firefox Saucers

Bright Blue Abstract

Abstract Electric

There you have 10 of the most popular abstract Personas out there today.  Which is your favorite?  Do you have an alternative abstract Persona that should have made the list? 

Once installed, you get your own WYSIWYG editor to create and edit your own signature collection.  You can add links via RSS, instant messenger service or social profiles from around the Web too.

Still need more information?  Check out this awesome video tutorial demonstrating what all you can do with this amazing add-on for Firefox.

WiseStamp has gotten praise from all around the Web, from Lifehacker to Mashable – so it is well worth checking out if you need to micro-manage a lot of e-mail signatures, or rotate the one you use around a ‘bit depending on your mood.

It has built in support for these webmail services:

• Gmail
• Yahoo! Mail
• AOL Mail
• Hotmail

As far as social profiles and services you can plug with it, there are almost 50 to choose from, including:  Netflicks, Youtube, Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Friendfeed, Digg, Google, Blogger, Tumbler, Twitter and many more.

You can pick up the WiseStamp extension for Firefox on the Firefox Add-ons site, and learn more about the amazing tool on their official web site, WiseStamp.com.

Filed under, “not sure if I need it – but thanks, just in case” we have Texto.  This add-on for Firefox will allow you to launch an external text editor to edit text forms in Firefox. 

Here is a little more about the add-on from the Texto developer:

This add-on strips out much of the Mozex functionality to focus on launching external text editors. Features the ability to customize editor behavior for different websites, and uses the asynchronous process support in Firefox 3.6 to update textareas automatically when the external editor is finished, without polling.

Troubleshooting Tips for Windows Users

Seems as if version 3.0.1 of this add-on has some problems with Windows 7 and Windows Vista (possibly) so there is your official word of warning.  If you have any trouble, try the beta release of the newest version here (scroll down for the “Install beta version” link).

Overall though, I have to say this is a pretty neat function for those who might need it.  You can pick up the Texto add-on for Firefox on the Firefox Add-ons web site.

When you load up a dozen or more tabs all at once, Firefox can slow down to a crawl.  Now, you can either choose to stop overwhelming Firefox with too many tabs or you can grab this helpful add-on for Firefox that will only load up the tab you need at the time, with multiple tabs still available. 

Just put it on your Bar Tab.

Here is how the magic happens.  When you click on a link that is going to be opened in a new tab, Firefox would normally go ahead and load up that content in the background.  What BarTab changes is the fact that it prevents Firefox from loading any content until you actually click over to the tab, saving yourself some resources and wait time.  You only pull up the data from the web page when you need it. 

If you restart Firefox a lot with multiple tabs open, you get one more bonus.  It will work on a browser restart too, which means Firefox will be coming back a lot quicker. 

You can pick up the Bar Tab extension from the Firefox Add-ons web site.

For years now, I have been highlighting the best Firefox add-ons out there for you all to check out and use, if needed.  However, not often do I go that extra mile to help you replace an add-on that I don’t think is that handy to have.  Amazingly enough, ImTranslator is an add-on that have enjoyed a lot of popularity (3,875,310 downloads to be exact) however I think there is a better solution out there, that doesn’t even need an add-on for Firefox to be used.

One of the reasons I do not like ImTranslator is it looks junky.  It is riddled with advertisements, such I understand is great for when it comes to making money – however, I don’t think they serve a purpose inside of a Firefox add-on. Now, let us move on to what I think you should use instead.

What Replaces ImTranslator?

Just bookmark the Google Translate web site.  I have been using Google Translate for many years to help translate text and it has never let me down.  While the translations are not perfect (no translation tool ever is) it does the closest job, from what I have seen.  To use it, all you have to do is copy and paste the text you wish to translate, select what language it is in, what language you want to translate to, and then hit the button labeled, “Translate”.

By using Google Translate instead of ImTranslator, you not only save clutter from your Firefox add-on installs, but you also gain access to one of the best free translation tools out there today. Using the tools they provide, you can also get a bookmarklet that does a one-click translation of any web site into the language you wish to read.

So, let me know what you think.  Is Google Translate a suitable replacement for ImTranslator or do you think ImTranslator is still a better translating solution?

With that in mind, I thought it might be handy to guide you through the process when it comes to adding a new Persona theme to your browser, removing a Persona theme from your browser, and how to chance through Persona themes – once you have several saved to your system.

How Do You Install a Firefox Persona?

If you are using Firefox 3.6 or above, the options for Personas should be built into the browser.  Here is how you can grab your own Firefox Persona to use in Firefox.

Go to the Personas page on the Firefox Add-ons web site or the Personas Gallery.

Next, browser around the web site until you find a Persona you would like to use in your own Firefox browser.  Notice that as you hover over the thumbnail previews, your Firefox browser will change to show you what that Persona would look like.

Click on the Persona you would like to use, and go check out the official page for that specific Persona.  For example, here is the page for the Superman logo Persona shown above:

• Superman Logo Firefox Persona

To install that specific Persona for Firefox, click the orange, “Wear this Persona” button.

Once you do so, the Persona will be installed – and you will get a message come up in the browser telling you it has been installed, and giving you the option to undo or go to your manage themes settings.

You are now done.  Your new Persona for Firefox has been installed and is ready to decorate your browser till you change it again.

How Can You Uninstall a Firefox Persona?

Uninstalling Firefox Personas is as easy as installing them.  From Firefox’s Menu Bar, select Tools and then Add-ons.  Once that comes up, you want to go to the “Themes” tab. Both Firefox themes and Personas will now be displayed here.

Click on the Firefox Persona you wish to uninstall, and click the “Uninstall” button. You will be asked to verify the uninstall, and then it will be gone for good.  You can also switch to a different Persona you have downloaded by clicking on that Persona from this screen, and selecting “Use Theme”. 

Get More Personas Help: Other Personas Tips, Articles and Tutorials!

I love any add-on or web site service that helps me organize my day to day life and duties.  Being somewhat of an organizational nut, I do have to say one of my favorite Firefox add-ons out there is ReminderFox.  This add-on for Firefox remembers things, so you don’t have to.

Once installed, you can setup ReminderFox to keep track of all your important dates and events.  It could remember your birthdays, your anniversaries, when your bills are due and so much more.  The possibilities are really endless.  The best thing about it is it is running right from the browser, so there is no need to run a separate calendar application. 

If you are looking for a good way to simplify your to do list, or just remember key dates – ReminderFox is your little personal organizer living in your browser.

You can download the ReminderFox add-on from the Firefox Add-ons web site.