Essential Firefox extensions for desktop users

I try to keep Firefox as light as possible and so I try and choose my add-ons carefully. Of course it helps that certain extensions have gotten better over time such that they obsolete other extensions. So here is my current list of essential extensions for Firefox.

• Adblock Plus (http://adblockplus.org/) - I can sympathize that websites (like this one) are often supported through the display of advertising. However I also prefer to surf the web quickly. My compromise is to be liberal in the use of site-wide exceptions for Adblock Plus for any website I come across that I find of value. This keeps my browsing fast when I’m researching something but increases advertising revenue to any website I find valuable and visir repeatedly.
• Fasterfox (http://fasterfox.mozdev.org/) - I used to spend time tweaking the performance of Firefox but now I just let Fasterfox do it for me. I recommend the “Optimized” setting and disabling the “Enhanced Prefetching”. I also enable the “Page Load Timer” which I find useful.
• FoxyProxy (http://foxyproxy.mozdev.org/) - This is a recent find as I was looking to replace the poor performing SwitchProxy. I couldn’t be happier not only with the proxy capabilities but the rules system which is vastly superior to both SwitchProxy and the Firefox options.
• Googlebar Lite (http://www.borngeek.com/firefox/googlebarlite/) - This toolbar has the most useful Google features without much bloat. It’s convenient for quick searchs (especially site searches) and for highlighting search terms.
• NoScript (http://noscript.net/) - Probably the most important extension in this list NoScript is essential for the security and privacy minded. It blocks javascript, java, flash, and other embedded content by default and allows the user to select what content should be trusted.