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The tool of choice recommended for every new WordPress website owner is Firefox. If you have a Windows machine – get Firefox! If you are on a Mac – get Firefox! This is the browser of choice for website owners and developers around the world. Why you might wonder? In a word: performance. There are hundreds of extensions that make your online life easier to navigate. Here are four extensions that make managing your WordPress website all the more enjoyable.
Extension 1: WordPress Helper
WordPress Helper Dashboard Links
Developer Link: Oliver Schlöbe
Download Link: WordPress Helper Addon
What it Offers: Fast access to your WordPress dashboard, quick-links to most helpful WordPress documentation, commenting profiles to automate insertion of your name – website and email when commenting on blogs, and notification of latest version releases.
When to Use it: This extension is a must have for anyone publishing content with the WordPress publishing platform. Instead of sprinkling various bookmarks on your browser toolbar let this smart addon do the work for you. Once installed there is a quick link button in the lower right corner of your browser window. When clicked you have a smart menu that allows you to jump to the dashboard, publish new post, manage blog comments or simply jump to your homepage.
Control-click (Mac) or Right-click on any page and you will see a new WordPress helper menu. In this menu is a comprehensive list of bookmarks that will take to you tips, newbie help pages, css + WordPress tips and more. You can even add your own links for quick reference to help pages when you need them. A super plugin and worth the $1.99 donation that Oliver is requesting 
Way to produce a useful tool.
Extension 2: MeasureIt
MeasureIt Precise Height and Width in Pixels
Developer Link: Kevin Freitas
Download Link: MeasureIt Firefox Addon
What it Offers: The ability to quickly measure in pixels any area within the browser screen.
When to Use it: Every time you need to know the width or height of a section, area or image on your website. Extremely helpful in discovering the optimal width for images in your main post/page area or in your sidebar or footer widgets areas. Such a quick and easy to use tool that you’ll forget what it was like to not have it before.
Nice!!
Extension 3: Firebug
Firebug Web Development Tools
Developer Link: GetFirebug
Download Link: Firebug Addon
What it Offers: This extension has been one of the primary reasons people building their own websites switch to the use of Firefox as their primary browser. Arguably the most useful browser tool for web development. You will likely never use all the features this tool offers – but there are a few that are indispensable.
When to Use it: Have you ever wanted to change the text styling on your website? Have you ever been curious how styles are controlled on your WordPress theme? If you have ever wondered anything like this then Firebug is your next best friend. With a simple control-click (right-click) you have a new option “Inspect Element”. Once you click that a world of options opens up for you. Want a quick start tutorial to get you started on useful ways to manipulate the css on your website? The WooThemes WordPress design team has a superb video showing you what to do next. Get it. Love it. Work it.
Extension 4: ScribeFire
Scribefire Blogging Extension
Developer Link: Christopher Finke
Download: Scribefire Addon
What it Offers:
ScribeFire is an extension for the Mozilla Firefox Web Browser that integrates with your browser to let you easily post to your blog: you can drag and drop formatted text from pages you are browsing, take notes, and post to your blog. Scribefire
When to Use it: If you like taking notes, browsing the web and collecting resources to add to your blog this is a beautiful tool. Not only can you drag and drop text/content from the page you are on, but you can save your research as notes. Choose to change a note to an actual post at any time in the future.
Are there more blog editors the likes of this? There indeed are. Both standalone and as browser addons. Here is the WordPress Codex list of editors. (I’ve secretly enjoyed the use of Ecto blog editor on a number of my blogs)
Quick Update, 3/11/2010
Looking to add some WordPress style to your browser? Jane Wells highlights a couple designs on the WordPress blog. These designs add some WordPress flair to your Firefox browser!
Wow, thanks for mentioning my add-on WordPress Helper in one line with awesome add-ons like MeasureIt & Firebug. That must be the feeling when getting an Oscar.
Oliver – you’re quite welcome! Thank you for developing your extremely helpful addon. Consider the above mention a definite Oscar nomination – I am sure that you are getting great recommends by plenty of other WordPress fanatics like myself!!
WordPress Helper will be included in the users manual that I use to get people on the fast track to enjoying their new WordPress websites. Keep up the great work and thanks for stopping to drop a note