Introduction
Mozilla Firefox is one of the more modern web browsers. It has gained immense popularity with internet users and has established itself as an innovative piece of software. It introduced various new features such as the usage of Tabs instead of windows and Add Ons. Mozilla Firefox has a user base that is similar in size to that of Internet Explorer. As opposed to Internet Explorer, it is Open Source. This means that it is developed by a Foundation as opposed to a Corporation and its source code is available for all and is readable and can also be modified.
The Mozilla Foundation is behind the Firefox Web Browser. This foundation is also responsible for other software such as the popular Thunderbird Email Client and the Bugzilla Bug Reporting platform. This foundation is made up of numerous volunteers situated all over the world who help maintain the software. The current version of this Web Browser is 3.6 with the 4.0 version scheduled for release in November 2010.
Mozilla Firefox earns much of its revenue from Google. It has an inbuilt Google Search box, a default Google homepage and a default search in Google address bar. For this, Mozilla receives a cut of much of the ad revenue earned by Google. Additionally, several Corporations act as sponsors to the Foundation. The Mozilla Foundation is closely assisted by the Mozilla Corporation which looks after the business side of the Firefox web browser and other Mozilla products such as Thunderbird.
The Mozilla Foundation has established what can be considered as the most novel web browser out their. Indeed, the number of users to this web browser are increasing daily through marketing efforts that are done by the Firefox user community itself. Through the Spread Firefox program, Mozilla Firefox is spread via ‘community marketing’ as opposed to the more conventional ways adopted by other web browsers. Additionally, the Firefox browser is available in numerous languages – the translation of which is done by volunteers from the vast Mozilla community. Indeed, such success and work shows just how large an impact Open Source software and principles can have.
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History:
The Firefox web browser began its journey when the source code of the Netscape web browser was released to the public in 1998. That is, Firefox was born when Netscape went open source. A community of programmers, developers and technology aficionados grew and nurtured around this software. Initially, Mozilla Firefox was termed as Phoenix then changes to Firebird and finally to Firefox. The first version of the web browser was released in 2001 and was received with an avalanche of downloads. Indeed, the first year of Firefox’s release saw 100 million downloads.
After this, a community effort in developing, managing and marketing Firefox resulted in it acquiring a substantial piece of the market and as such, Firefox is one of the major web browsers whose popularity is still on the surge. Various versions have been launched with each one surpassing its predecessor.
Versions:
- Mozilla Firefox 3.6 Windows
- Mozilla Firefox 3.6 Mac OS X
- Mozilla Firefox 3.6 Linux
Features:
Mozilla Firefox has a number of innovative features that have established a benchmark for other web browsers. Additionally, this web browser offers the most features – features that are explained clearly and in a simple manner so that anyone can understand them.
Security & Privacy:
- Instant Web Site ID
- Private Browsing
- Anti-Malware
- Parental Controls
- Anti-Phishing
- Password Manager
Performance:
- Crash Protection
- Smaller Memory Footprint
- Faster Page Load
- Super Speed
Personalization:
- Addons (Over 6, 000)
- Personas
Tags:
- Library
- One-Click Bookmarking
- Smart Bookmark
Productivity:
- Platform-Native Look & Feel
- RSS Feed Reader
- Download Manager
- Spell Checking
- Session Restore
- Full Zoom
Tabs:
- Reopen Closed Tabs and Windows
- Easy Organization
- Save on Exit
