add-on

StayFocusd is a Google Chrome extension that helps Internet procrastinators focus on their work instead of browsing copious amounts of time-wasting material. This add-on is useful when you want to limit how much time you spend on a particular Web site, or even the entire Internet. StayFocusd is customizable and intuitive--it's simple to create detailed Web-surfing guidelines--but beware: this extension is harsh; make sure you really want to block your sites.

After downloading the add-on, a round blue icon will show up on the right-hand side of your address bar. While you are on the site that needs blocking, … Read more

Yoono makes the task of managing multiple different social-networking accounts less of a headache. Using several instant-messaging programs because your coworkers like Google Talk whereas your friends use AIM can also mix you up.

Like Digsby and VoxOx, Yoono combines social networking with instant messaging. Sure, there are social site applications like TweetDeck that let you follow your friend's Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace accounts--not to mention the numerous all-in-one chat clients such as Trillian and Pidgin, which are very popular around the CNET offices. Yoono, however, combines all of these functions into one sleek desktop app. Those who do … Read more

Like its desktop counterpart, Yoono for Firefox lets you access multiple social accounts all in one spot. With the capability to chat on AIM, Yahoo, and Live messenger while surfing your Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr accounts, this Firefox extension is a good choice for people who enjoy constant social updating.

The Web version also supports YouTube, LinkedIn, Friend Feed, and Google Talk. The interface is extremely similar to the desktop version; all of the functions for social Web browsing and Yoono's columns are the same as we had mentioned in our Yoono for desktop review. However, the Firefox version … Read more

Like its desktop counterpart, Yoono for Chrome lets you to access multiple social networking accounts all in one spot. With the capability to chat on AIM, Yahoo, and Live messenger while surfing your Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr accounts, this Chrome extension is a good choice for people who enjoy constant social updating.

The Web version also supports YouTube, LinkedIn, Friend Feed, and Google Talk. The interface is extremely similar to the desktop version; all of the functions for social Web browsing and Yoono's columns are the same as we had mentioned in our Yoono for Chrome review.

Its differences … Read more

With all the online order confirmation codes, password resets, and hundreds of other e-mails filled with important information, it would be nice to have a tool that helps with the woes of e-mail management. Gmail Notes, a Google Chrome extension that allows users to add notes to e-mail threads in Gmail, has the potential to be one such tool. However, with its unreliability and numerous bugs, that's all it has: potential.

Downloading this extension adds a pencil icon to your browser's address bar when Gmail is open. To take a note, open any e-mail, click the icon, type … Read more

Gmail Notes makes e-mail management easier by allowing users to add short notes to their e-mail threads. This Chrome extension is handy when Gmailers need to save extra information connected to their e-mails. However, it fails at being reliable; don't expect your notes to be saved in your in-box when you come back to it, and don't expect to always be able to use it.

After the brisk installation process, a pencil icon will appear in the right hand side of Chrome's address bar whenever Gmail is open. To begin note-taking, click on this icon and it … Read more

Staying up-to-date on all of your friends' Facebook and Twitter musings can take a considerable chunk of your online time. Mozilla Firefox add-on Friendbar streams news feed updates and tweets from your browser toolbar, keeping you socially connected when you are surfing the Web. Though Friendbar has an easy-to-follow user interface, it falls short with some nonpractical repetitiveness.

After restarting your browser, Friendbar will be visible in your toolbar. To begin using the extension, sign in to your Facebook and Twitter accounts using the log-in buttons on the right-hand corner of the toolbar. Friendbar will instantly start streaming posts from … Read more

It's getting more and more difficult to protect your privacy on the Web. Just as we're invited to share our thoughts and experiences with friends, family, and the universe, there's somebody recording it all and looking to make a buck from it, legally or otherwise. The key is to find the right balance between the Web's convenience and your security.

Here are five Firefox add-ons that help keep you safe on the Web without hindering your full use out of its best services. (Note that last month I described free Facebook security scanners, and in April … Read more

Radiotic is a Mozilla Firefox add-on that plays various radio stations from your Web browser status bar. While it offers 70 stations to choose from, they come from only 10 different countries. The odds are against you finding your favorite station on such a minimal list.

To view available and previously played radio stations, right-click on the Radiotic tool bar at the right-hand corner of the status bar. Selecting "Radio Monitor" will open a new pop-up with a selection of countries. Each of the 10 countries has one or more radio stations. The USA folder only has eight … Read more