The add-on is configured to use Google Translation as the default Translation service. You may change this behavior if you prefer Yahoo Babelfish, PROMPT, Altavista, FreeTranslation or IM Translator. The add-on places an icon in the status bar. Right-Clicking that icon opens a menu with all the available translation options and a link to the preferences.

The add-on can be configured to translate the website in the current tab, a new window, a new tab or the sidebar. You may also select to add a quick translation option when the icon in the status bar is left clicked. You have to select the languages for quick translation by yourself.

The translator add-on is an excellent time saver if you have been using translation services before. Sure, you do not necessarily need the add-on to translate the websites. You could also do it manually by visiting the translation service and pasting the url to translate into the form field.