I use Google day in and day out. I use it for search, email, calendar, and recently spreadsheets. As a daily Google user I find it that it would be nice to able to customize certain aspects of my Google experience. How? You may ask. Well read on!

"Customize Google is a Firefox extension that enhances Google search results by adding extra information (like links to Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, MSN etc) and removing unwanted information (like ads and spam)."

This little firefox extension not only allows you to instantly access search results from other engines like Yahoo!, and Ask, it also gives you a plethora of options with regards to your privacy and security. One of the neatest features this extension offers is the option to disable ads in your search results, which in turns means more space for the stuff you’re actually looking for. I also noticed that you have options to allow Gmail and Google calendar to operate via https, which is more secure that the http protocol. Below you’ll see a listing of some of the features the extension offers as well as some suggested settings.

• Use Google Suggest (suggest words while you’re typing)
• Add links to competitors
• Rewrite links to point straight to the images in Google Images
• Removes image copying restrictions in Google Book Search
• Secure Gmail and Google Calendar, switch to https NEW
• Block Google Analytics cookies
• Hide the Gmail spam counter NEW
• Remove ads
• Anonymize your Google userid
• Add a result counter in search result
• Filter spammy websites from search results
• Add links to WayBack Machine (webpage history)
• Remove click tracking
• Add links from Google to your bookmark manager
• Use a fixed font for Gmail mail bodies NEW

1. Download and install Customize Google.

2. Click on Tools > Extensions

3. Select Customize Google from the list and click on Options.

4. Browse through the tabs and select the settings you wish to apply.

I suggest that you set the following. (for the most part the default settings are pretty good)

• Tab - Web > Check Remove Ads, Add position Counter
• Tab - Gmail > Check Remove Ads, Secure (switch to https) [You should also apply it to Calendar]

If anyone has any suggestions as to which to turn on or off, please let it be known.

Source: CustomizeGoogle.com

Article posted on 09 11th, 2006

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