SmarterFox: Replace Internet Explorer Accelerators
Enhancing Firefox with SmarterFox: A Feature Comparison
Users familiar with Internet Explorer 8 may have observed its increasing user-friendliness and its innovative “Accelerator” feature. This functionality aims to provide an advantage over competing browsers.
SmarterFox replicates the capabilities of the IE Accelerator, extending them to the Firefox browser. Installation is straightforward; simply click “Add to Firefox” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Installation and Initial Setup
After installation, a browser restart is required. Following the restart, select text within a webpage and highlight it to experience the new functionality.
Utilizing the Accelerator Buttons
Additional buttons will become visible, offering a selection of search engines. While the options aren’t fully customizable, the ease with which phrases can be searched is remarkably efficient.
Each search phrase is automatically opened in a new browser tab, streamlining the research process. To modify or add search engine buttons, navigate to Tools, then SmarterFox.
Configuring Search Engine Options
Within the SmarterFox settings, select the “Popup bubble” tab. Search engines can be added or removed by simply checking or unchecking the corresponding boxes.
Customizing the qLauncher
The qLauncher tab allows for the customization of the associated shortcut key. Assign a shortcut that is easily remembered and accessible.
Confirm your changes by clicking “OK” and entering your desired shortcut. This will immediately launch the qLauncher menu, enabling quick searches.
Performing Searches with qLauncher
Within the qLauncher, you can input your search term directly into Google, which will then present a list of relevant results. Alternatively, you can quickly navigate to a specific website.
This feature functions as a convenient shortcut, with all searches and website launches occurring in new tabs.
Limitations and Future Enhancements
Currently, SmarterFox does not support map searches directly from the Popup Bubble. Internet Explorer provides the ability to search addresses and view thumbnail previews from LiveSearch Maps, a feature absent in SmarterFox.
It is hoped that future updates will incorporate Google Maps search functionality. Despite this limitation, the additional features offered by SmarterFox significantly enhance the Firefox browsing experience. Download and install SmarterFox to expand your browser’s capabilities.