Instead of using the small google search box, you can directly use the search phrase into the firefox address bar.

But I have noticed something: I typed "Hacker" in the address bar and I got a google search page. But when I typed "distrowatch", it took me to distrowatch.com I think the behavior of this feature is like... it takes you to a website if the term entered is not a dictionary term. If the term entered is a dictonary term is takes you to a google search results page.

I have started using this frequently since I access the address bar with F6. I just enter my search terms. I am comfortable with this since most of my searches are with non-dictionary terms like "term vector tutorials" or "how to make pizza"

:)