I use Firebug all the time to track javascript errors, AJAX requests and to monitor network requests, and it’s a real cool part of my web development arsenal. But Firebug can be helpful in more ways than just testing and debugging your own apps.

So, I’m pretty much in the middle of nowhere, in the only decent hotel (definition: has broadband) in the area. I connect to the network, bring up the usual sales page and enter my contact and payment details. Ok, all good.

Error: Invalid zip code. I go back and check the details I put in, and the zip code is cut-off as this form only accepts 4 digits (bad design), when my credit card zip is 5. So I open up firebug, switch to the inspector, click the zip field, and change the maxlength attribute of the input to 6. Voila, I type my zip code in, re-submit, and I’m online!

Of course, I could have emulated the form by copying the code, changing the maxlength attribute, saving, opening in a browser and re-submitting, but that takes time and would loose the SSL. Or, I could write a quick greasemonkey script to make the change, but again, more time consuming.

Like several people I know, I have accounts with Gmail, Yahoo and MSN - and just use them for receiving junk or, more often, to use the chat service that goes with each (i.e. Gtalk, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger). Every so often I open up MSN Messenger (the mac version), and a few times it’s asked me to upgrade (you can’t use it without upgrading). Annoying - but at least they make the upgrade pretty straightforward.

But they’ve seriously managed to make the application pretty heavy - adding a user is a few step process, then the user online statuses seem delayed - and then there’s the sound effects.

And finally, there’s availability. At least it alerts you politely when kickin’ you off:

Software maker’s need to take a lesson from “web 2.0″, and make stuff simple, usable, yet powerful. It’s not hard to do, just think in the right mindset, and don’t forget about your users.

/ok I’m done. And I use skype day-to-day if you’re wondering…