I finally installed Firefox 2. While not as unpleasant as my pessimism predicted, it did take a toll on my extensions. However, it is possible to help your favorite extensions rise from their ashes like a phoenix (or a Firefox).

1. Download the extension to your desktop (right click->save as)
2. Change the .xpi to .zip (make sure that you have "Hide Extensions for known File Types" unchecked in Folder Options)
   
   
   
3. Open the compressed folder
4. Open install.rdf with notepad or equivalent
5. Find out what version the extension is for, e.g. '1.5' or '1.6'
   
   
   
   
6. Find that version number in Notepad.
   
   
   
   
7. Change the maxVersion to 2.5
   
8. Save the install.rdf (back in the zip)
9. Change the .zip back to .xpi
10. Open the extension with Firefox (open with->browse->firefox.exe)

This is a rather vague process, and I can't guarantee that it will work. However, I assume that you will understand most of these steps if you know what extensions are. If you're having more issues than a magazine rack, post a comment and let me know.