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Mozilla Firefox 2 Software Review

Review for: Mozilla Firefox 2

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Introduction

Since it's first stable release in 2004, Mozilla Firefox has undergone a vast transformation from a small companies attempt to offer a user-friendly browser to rival Internet Explorer, to a large organization with millions of users using its software.

Now at version 2, Firefox is packed full of features, offering users a simple and safe browsing experience, with thousands of developers from around the world offering unique ways to customize your browsing experience, both visually and functionally.

Installation

Firefox is relatively easy to install. It's most valuable feature comes from the ability to import settings from its rival: Internet Explorer. You can import your favourites, internet options, cookies, saved passwords and many other data settings from Internet Explorer, making the transition from your old browser much easier. Once imported, you're good to go and upon running the program for the first time it'll ask you if you want to set Firefox as your default browser.

Features

Tabbed Browsing

Tabbed browsing is a godsend when it comes to browsing. No longer will you have lots of windows clogging up your windows tray; Firefox groups all the websites you're currently visiting into a tab bar along the top of the browser. Unlike previous versions, you can undo a closed tab if you accidentally close it, move tabs around and if you are cramped for space due to all the pages you have opened, Firefox now introduces an innovative scrollbar to make it easier to find the page you're looking for. Opening a tab couldn't be simpler. Just press 'Ctrl+T', and to cycle through your tabs press 'Ctrl+Tab'.

Spell checking

New to Firefox version 2, is spell checking. You no longer have to worry about making the usual typing mistakes when posting on a blog or forum, simply let Firefox do the work for you as it underlines any mistakes it sees.

Session restore

Following in the footsteps of one if it's other rivals, Opera, Firefox introduces this innovative feature, which if you suffer a browser crash or close your browser, you can return it to the exact state it was at before, with all your pages open where you left then.

Pop-up blocker

Firefox allows you to block unwanted popup advertising, meaning a more comfortable browsing experience for you. Fortunately it's customisable so you can allow popups on certain websites and block them on others.

Extensions

One of the great hidden features of Firefox is it's ability to be customized by third-parties allowing for all kinds of added functionality from developers around the world. Extensions for web-developers such as the Web-Developer Toolbar by Chris Pederick, or AdBlock Plus for your day-to-day user are must-haves! Check out thousands of other similar extensions at the FireFox addons site.

Live Bookmarks

RSS and XML feeds have transformed the way in which data is shared between websites and users across the web. In response firefox have introduced 'Live Boomarks' where one can add a bookmark to a web feed and click it to receive the latest news, or blog posts etc.

Positives

• Simple user-interface
• Much securer than it's rival Internet Explorer
• Easily expandable

Negatives

• Known-memory leaks continue to persist throughout versions
• Not all legacy website support it's advanced and correct rendering of web pages

Conclusion

Firefox now has millions of users worldwide using it, and is beginning to make a real push for the browser market, but whilst it has helped the competition get its act into gear (Internet Explorer 7), whether it'll keep up to date and hold its market share from up and coming rivals such as Opera and Safari, only time will tell. All in all Firefox is a great solution for developers and end-users alike, offering a simple, safe and unobtrusive browsing experience.

Editors Rating: 9.5/10

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