Tonight you're probably going to make some hefty New Year's resolutions, which statistically you're never going to keep. Why not at least make a change you know will make a difference immediately? A Firefox theme can change the feel of your browser and all it takes is a simple download. You can't just waltz into a new year without making a few changes, right?
We've put together a nice slide show of downloadable Firefox themes so you can improve your browsing experience in the New Year.
It's been quite a while since we visited the subject of best themes for Mozilla Firefox. It took a little while for some developers to catch up with the release of Version 2, but now there's a large number of cool add-ons for spicing up the look and feel of your your browser.
There's also a lot of crap. Luckily for you, I've waded through the morass and found what I consider to be the best themes for Mozilla Firefox. Of course, one of the greatest strengths of Firefox is the ability for every user to customize the browser as he or she sees fit. If you've got a favorite theme that I left off the list, tell me about it in the comments.
For a better look at the themes featured in this article, be sure to check out the related Download.com gallery.
11. Modern Modoki
Modern Moloki theme
Minimalism lives, and quite naturally with this stone-gray theme that's perfect for the Web surfer or developer who wants his or her browser to fade into nonexistence. It's clean, it's clear, hey...it's Netscape 8! Or is it 6? It's both: The look of 8 with the color scheme of versions 6 and 7. Its nigh invisibility makes it a solid choice for the mysterious 11th spot.
Most importantly, of course, it works with most major Firefox extensions with interface-altering features such as the pictured two-paned bookmarks and All-in-One Sidebar.
NASA Night Launch theme
What an appropriate Firefox theme to start off the Top 10 countdown! It's not kicking off the list, but it's blasting off anyway. The only thing that really distinguishes this theme from other polished dark Firefox themes is the shuttle image that "launches off" when a page is loading. See, you're traveling to another planet on the World Wide Web universe!
Snark aside, the shuttle imagery throughout the browser looks fantastic, and it's compatible with a long list of extensions. It's also a nice tribute to the STS-116 mission.
9. MidnightFox
MidnightFox
If you're gonna go dark, do it with style. I'm usually not much of a fan of black-background Firefox themes, but MidnightFox is a rare exception. The colorful buttons look great on the textured black interface, but unfortunately it didn't work very well with All-in-One Sidebar, one of my favorite extensions. It still surprised me enough with its fancy look to make it on the list.
Super Mario Bros. 3 theme
For the Mario fanboy in everyone, live the dream with tunnels for toolbar icons and pipes for scrolling. A recognizable little penny spins and spins as your Web pages load, but there's not much sign of the big man himself, and not a whole lot of polish.
All I can say is: needs more Yoshi.
7. extero
extero theme
I like the brand-new theme extero because it's not afraid to take chances--like black drop-down menus on a near-white interface. Some of the menu icons, such as "Print," are a little cryptic, but its Apple-esque style should prove popular.
The main reason it makes the list, however, is its "throbber," or the icon that animates while a Web page is loading. extero's is the coolest throbber I've seen this year...maybe the coolest ever.
HiVisGnome Jumbo theme
If you're gonna go big, you might as well go all the way. This helpful Firefox theme, developed as part of the Access Firefox project for users with vision problems, is the biggest theme I've ever seen. Some of the options icons look straight out of 1994, but it's hard to beat for customizing an interface that's as easy to see and use.
5. Miint
Miint Firefox theme
Ah, mint chocolate-chip ice cream. I'm personally not the biggest fan, but I send a shout out to my mom and everyone else who loves the stuff with Miint, a Firefox theme full of frosty green and dark chocolate goodness. There's nothing to scream about, but it has its own cool style.
4. Redshift V2
RedShift V2 theme
Take a slide into the darker side, with this black-and-red Firefox theme that could appeal to both goths and 2 Fast 2 Furious racing types. A side bonus: the red highlights throughout the interface may convince coworkers that you bite.
The unique look wasn't enough to keep me around long, however. As pictured, I made much use of the Theme Switcher feature enabled by the MR Tech Local Install extension during my trip into the world of themes.
3. Tinseltown
Tinseltown theme
If you're one of those Christmas-loving maniacs who decorates every inch of your desktop with yuletide icons and loves to torment your coworkers with your holiday cheer, congratulations. Your Firefox theme awaits.
Confusing green and red Christmas lights denote back and forward navigation, respectively; red-nosed Rudolph refreshes your browser (huh?); and Santa's hat means stop. Oh, it's the initials! Hmm. Too bad it does nothing to my "Closed Tabs" taskbar icon (available via TabMixPlus). I was hoping for reindeer dung.
Aside from the seasonal appropriateness, what merits Tinseltown's lofty status in my favorite Firefox themes list are the candy canes that replace your scroll and progress bars. Snazzy!
It's for use during the holiday season only, unless you're "that guy."
2. TrafficFox
TrafficFox theme
Go. Stop. Spin yourself crazy circling an inescapable roundabout. Vous n'avez pas la priorite! TrafficFox is the perfect Firefox theme for anyone who loves the term "information superhighway." Non?
Its sleek style--with traffic icons for navigation functions--and minimally intrusive yet informative interfaces transform Web surfing from a pedestrian experience to a joyride in a fancy European sports car. Really? Well, no. But the design does look slick.
Littlefox for Firefox theme
There are a number of great "mini" themes out there. The goal is to maximize screen space, making it ideal for viewing large pictures or videos with your browser. I'm sticking to the one that I use the most: Littlefox for Firefox by Alfred Kayser.
One of my favorite touches are the gear icons for my little bookmarklets like ZAP. It's clever like a Littlefox, and I'm sticking with it...for now.
Well-built software that can inspire projects and streamline productivity is powerful indeed, but ill-conceived programs, too, can haunt your dreams. In this week's, CNET Top 5 video (also see below), editor Tom Merritt shares five terrifically bad apps you'd most likely encounter in a dark alley of your computer's recycle bin. This Chuck Norris Facts Widget is particularly chilling.
Plenty more ghoulish and gleeful downloads are standing by to ease you into the Halloween spirit. Three skeletons in pointed hats boogie down by moonlight (and UV lamplight) in Halloween Dance 3D Screensaver, a personal favorite. Your browser can also get into costume. Developer Ed Hume has updated his bewitching Halloween Firefox theme, where broomstick-borne hags replace the "forward" and "back" arrows and bat icons adorn the tabs. Responsible pranksters can also find five joke downloads for spooking friends into thinking their computer's been possessed.
And for those who still aren't sure which costume to call their own this All Hallow's Eve, this slideshow suggests ten freaky tech-geek getups. Yes, you too can make the RIAA quake in their boots as a rough 'n' tumble software pirate.
So let the festive fall season begin with a howl! Which is your favorite holiday download?
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