If you are a power user and you are using a Mac then you are probably also using Quicksilver. If you’re not, then you should immediately go and download it from here. I have been using Quicksilver for a few years now and I have become a huge fan of it. The only problem I have is that if I use a Mac without Quicksilver installed I am almost lost on how to use it. Bottom line, if you’re not using Quicksilver then you are stuck in the dark ages.

I could probably go on and on about the features I love about Quicksilver but this post is not about Quicksilver, it’s about its browser based little brother, Ubiquity. I have only been using Ubiquity for a few months now but I am already a huge fan of it and its contextual commands. The video below is a bit older and the GUI has been updated but it gets the point across.

Ubiquity for Firefox from Aza Raskin on Vimeo.

Like Quicksilver, there are many features built in to Ubiquity but the following are some of my favourites:

• In line translations: Highlight some text then call up Ubiquity and have the line of text translated into English. It can replace the text on the page.
• Maps: Highlight an address and have Ubiquity load it into a map.
• bit.ly: Select a URL and have it replaced with a short bit.ly URL.
• Bookmarklets: Commands can be created from bookmaklets meaning any bookmarklet that you use can be called up straight from Ubiquity.
• Define: Select a word, load Ubiquity, type define and you are given the definition.

The above features are all things that you have been able to do on the web before but now you can do it without having to go to another page. Initially, it took some time for me to get used to all the commands and how to use it. Now that I have got used to how it all works I am a happy user. One downside is that it doesn’t work with Google Apps, only Gmail, so if you use Gmail for your own domain you can’t take advantage of the send mail features. It is also in beta so it’s not perfect, yet. Take a look at it and try it out for yourself: Ubiquity from Mozilla Labs

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About the author

Matt
I'm Matt and I share how to build an internet presence through internet business, social marketing, lifestyle design and productivity tools. While here, read about me to learn my story or find out how you can hire me.

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