FireUploader is a Firefox add-on that can make managing uploads to certain accounts much easier. It works similar to many FTP applications, but does so within Firefox. It is compatible with many popular file hosting services such as Flickr, Picasa, Box.net, and YouTube. Since you can browse your own computer and queue up a bunch of uploads, it is far easier to use than the web interfaces the those sites.

As seen in the screen shot, the interface is very much like your typical FTP application.

Using FireUploader is quite easy. I’ll show you how using Flickr as an example. This tutorial assumes you set up your accounts at the various sites in advance from their web page. First, make sure Flickr is selected from the drop-down list and hit the “Manage Accounts” button right beside it. Up will pop a box like the one displayed below.

Then, select the “Add Account” button and a window will pop up. Depending on whether you are currently logged into your Flickr account or not, you will get one of two options. If you are not logged in, the screen shot below will show. Simply log in to your account to progress. Once you are logged in, you will be prompted to allow FireUploader access to your account. Select the “OK, I’ll allow it” if you agree to the terms. After that, select the “I am done authorizing” then “Close” on the account window. There, that was painless.

The listing on the left side is your computer, the listing on the right is the Flickr Account. You can browse your computer using the “Browse” button just above the left panel. Chose a directory with some photos you wish to upload, and hit “OK”. You can select one or more pictures from your computer, then click the little orange arrow in the middle of the screen pointing to your flicker account. In the screen below, I have chosen to upload to a new album, which FireUploader will create for me. Select a name for your new album, and away you go.

Now, your files will automatically upload one after the other. This is much easier than using the interfaces at the web sites.

There, you can check your Flickr account in Firefox and confirm that the files have been uploaded to a new album.

It is even easier for the Box.net storage. Simply select Box.net from the drop-down list this time, and add your previously created account from Box.net website to FireUploader as you did for the Flickr account. See the screen below for my backup of my Firefox bookmarks. 1GB of file storage is pretty handy when you can access it this easy.

FireUploader is fully compatible with the Picasa utilities found in the Google Pack.

FireUploader can be installed from the Firefox add-on site. Feel free to bookmark this page so you can easily return, then install the add-on and restart Firefox, and return here from the bookmark to help you get set up if you need.