As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy" with information bombarding us from every angle, most people welcome any tool, trick or shortcut to help them wade through the mountains of data to find what they want.
Since your web browser represents your main window to the Internet, it makes sense for any tool which enables you to find what you need and get around faster online should sit right where you need it most.
Introducing Web browser "toolbars," free little programs that work with Internet Explorer and Netscape to put you several steps closer to the information you need right now.
~ Google Toolbar ~
The free toolbar from search giant Google offers the best search features of any toolbar we evaluated.
Not only does it allow you to search the web, but also enables you to search within a website to find specific information.
The Google toolbar's main features include "Page Rank," which gives an indication of a website's overall value based on your search criteria and other factors, along with a "backwards links" function which allows you to see which sites link to the website currently loaded in your browser.
You can download the Google toolbar on your web browser by visiting http://toolbar.google.com and following the simple installation instruction.
~ Alexa Toolbar ~
Alexa's main claim to fame revolves around its traffic ranking report on virtually any site on the Internet.
The lower the Traffic Ranking number, the more popular a site rates in Alexa's eyes. Currently Yahoo, MSN and Google occupy the top 3 spots on Alexa's charts.
With so many websites on the Internet, an Alexa ranking of less than 100,000 is considered good, and a ranking of less than 10,000 is considered outstanding as far as a site's relative popularity on the Web.
Alexa also offers a related links feature right on the toolbar so you can quickly find links to sites that other people also visit when surfing the site you currently have loaded in your browser.
Alexa also offers a pop-up blocker to help cut down on the pop-up windows that seem to invade your desktop the minute you venture online. You can download the Alexa Toolbar free from www.alexa.com.
~ AltaVista Toolbar ~
Former search giant AltaVista recently jumped on the toolbar bandwagon with their offering from www.altavista.com.
Install the AltaVista toolbar and access a couple of interesting features, including a language translation button and an MP3 search.
Click the "Translate" button and instantly translate entire web pages from one language to another.
The MP3 search will help you find the tune you want from AltaVista's audio index.
Most of the toolbars offer additional gadgets to help you with everything from weather forecasts to currency conversion.
Because they offer many of the same features and they take up valuable screen space, using more than one toolbar at a time often proves impractical.
Since most toolbars come free of charge, evaluate them all for their main features and overall usability for your particular needs and then stick with the best one.
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved - http://www.thenetreporter.com
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.thenetreporter.com) and is the author of numerous best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs.
Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months... without spending a dime on advertising!http://www.thenetreporter.com
When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam,... Read More
The year is 1981. IBM has just released the Personal... Read More
If you utilize a computer at home or work it... Read More
BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification ExamYou've studied hard; you've... Read More
Just The Facts, Ma'mPalm pilots are all the rage now.... Read More
Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More
Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing can never... Read More
Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More
Saving Lives With A Pocket PCFree medical downloads can be... Read More
For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More
When I first started studying for my CCNP, some of... Read More
Maybe you always wanted a feature that hasn't been available... Read More
About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More
With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
The Internet can be a dangerous place.While you're enjoying the... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
It's free, it comes with Windows and it's used by... Read More
BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More
If you are a building a website or a forum,... Read More
The Internet is an awesome tool, but be careful and... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More
Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying... Read More
About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More
Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
What is a Refurbished Computer?Refurbished Computers. Remanufactured Computers. Reconditioned Computers.... Read More
Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
MMC and SDFlash memory is available in so many formats... Read More
The Internet can be a dangerous place.While you're enjoying the... Read More
Upgrading your processor will always speed up your computer, but... Read More
Surf the 'Net for about 10 minutes and chances rate... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More
Personal Technology |