Development: Firefox

Firefox is a lean and mean browsing machine. In truth, it isn't that lean as it has all of the features and functionality of its bigger brother, Mozilla, without the eMail function — which is available in the lean and mean eMail machine from Mozilla, Thunderbird.

But is is fast and has some pretty handy features for controlling spyware. "Beware of spyware. If you can, use the Firefox browser." — USA Today

FORBES describes the browser as "Better than Internet Explorer by leaps and bounds."

Here is a short list of some of the main features:

  • Popup Blocking
    Popups have to be one of the most annoying 'innovations'. Stopping unwanted popups while allowing desired ones is a breeze with Firefox.
  • Tabbed Browsing
    Having new window open for every web page can be very cluttering on our monitor. With Firefox you have tabbed browsing where each new page can be opened in its own tab within the single Firefox window. I use this function all the time as I am constantly flipping back and forth between web sites.
  • Privacy and Security
    Full control over ActiveX spyware and malicious code. ActiveX could be the worst thing that happened to browsers in recent years. Firefox gives you full control over execution of ActiveX and scripts. Firefox has a comprehensive set of privacy tools keep your online activity your business.
  • Smarter Searching
    Searching could not be easier with the Google Search box built right into the toolbar. There are many other search tools including easy ways to search web page content — called the Find bar.
  • RSS Bookmarks
    RSS is also directly integrated, providing easy access to the latest news headlines and updates to your favorite syndicated sites.
  • Easier Downloading
    Unless you configure otherwise, downloads are automatically saved on your desktop so you don't have to go searching for them. And monitoring progress is easy.
  • Fits Like a Glove
    It is fair to say that there probably isn't a feature that you need that Firefox does not have. Despite it's completeness, it is very simple and intuitive. Features like Bookmarks, History, Full Screen, Text Zooming are all there and easy to use. I have a wheel mouse and I can use my wheel to easily change font sizes — when I can't read the small print !
  • Options and Customizing
    Firefox is the most configurable browser available. You can configure your toolbars to add additional buttons, install extensions that add new features, add new themes and use the adaptive search system to enhance your to searching across an infinite number of search engines. Keep it lean and mean, or expand it as you see fit.

Download and Setup
Firefox, for Windows or Linux, takes just minutes to download over a slow connection and mere seconds over a broadband cable or ADSL connection. The installer will automatically get you up and running (on Windows) and the easy transition system will import all of your settings from Internet Explorer and other browsers.

For Developers
The javascript console and CSS error and warning console are exactly the same as those used in the larger Mozilla program and provide exceptional debugging capabilities, along with the DOM Inspector. Debugging that is second to none.

An Ideal Email Companion
As menationed earlier, Thunderbird is the perfect eMail companion for Firefox. Go to the Mozilla web site at http://www.mozilla.org/ for more information. There you will find information on extensions, themes, a support forum, the mozilla ezine MozillaZine, project and product information and mozilla merchandise you can purchase to support the development effort.