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The computer world is always filled with additions. When a popular program is released, you can bet that someone somewhere has figured out a way to add something to the program. The inclusion of added features can be a blessing, or a curse. Some offer so much that you wonder just how a particular feature was missing from the original release. Such is the case with the Alexa toolbar.
Currently many sites offer toolbars that add new or improved functionality to Internet Explorer. These menu items can include such things as search engines, links and access to chat programs directly from the main menu on IE. While there are many to choose from, Alexa offers some rather intriguing features. No doubt this may have something to do with it being a part of Amazon.com.
The first, and perhaps the most compelling, feature worthy of serious consideration is the ad blocking. Unlike browsers like Mozilla and Netscape that come with ad blocking, Internet Explorer does not include any way to perform this function. Should you visit a site that features extra windows popping up left and right, IE alone cannot effectively block them. Alexa comes with this feature, along with several others.
Loading Alexa is a simple process. Simply visit the site, answer a few brief questions, and Alexa is loaded onto your browser. Unfortunately, Alexa only works with Internet Explorer. Fortunately, Alexa is a totally free add-on.
The add-on is relatively non intrusive. Sitting any place you wish on the menu, Alexa can be easily turned on and off via one icon on the toolbar. With a small footprint and a quick download, Alexa is ready to spring into action.
Sitting quietly, and then launching into action when the ad blocking feature is enabled, this particular feature set is amazingly proactive. Rather than simply blocking pop-ups, Alexa asks you if you wish to block an ad. In addition, it also offers feedback so that you can enable the blocking feature to automatically turn on when encountering an offending site in the future.
Should you not want this feature, or Alexa turned on, you can disable it until further notice. From my experiences with Alexa, the ad blocker was accurate, quick and caught a reasonable number of pop windows before they opened. Unlike some ad blockers that also block out important sites, I noticed that Alexa seemed to block only the ad, not the contents of the sites that generated them. All in all a proficient blocker.
Alexa is not however limited to just blocking ads. It can also provide much needed, and perhaps useful information about Web sites. With a search engine backed by Google, Alexa not only offers information about Web sites, it also offers statistics. This data can include contact information, number of viewers and links to sites of a similar interest. If you visit a page and want to know more, such as the number of visitors, other sites related to it, in short, greater detail than the related button already loaded into Internet Explorer can provide, it is all here.
The stats themselves may be of greater use to well versed Net users than neophytes. The level of detail is fascinating. What may very well be of interest to most surfers are the suggested links. When one visits a particular site, Alexa automatically draws up links to sites of a similar or related nature. For those not sure where to begin a search, this feature can offer options that might not be viable or available via other channels.
There is a great deal to like about the newly released Alexa. It is small, comes with ad blocking and offers a wealth of details pertaining to Web sites. The level of information offered may be pertinent to pros more than casual viewers. From my experiences, it did not appreciably slow down browsing. Before installing, it is well worth paying attention to the privacy documentation. Alexa spells out clearly what it plans to do with information gathered and offers specific details. Not unlike many applications like this, there is a certain degree of information reported in order to retrieve the information provided. If you are totally uncomfortable with this, do pay careful attention to what is spelled out on the site. Many sites offer similar programs, so just pay close attention. Aside from this issue, which is one that has been raised many times over, Alexa is an effective tool that offers some real insight into Web sites that is difficult to obtain. Being both free, unobtrusive and useful, this is one add-on you may want to seriously consider. This is particularly true if you are frequenter of Amazon.com
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