Week in review: A speedier new Firefox
Mozilla's latest browser version, Firefox 3.5, made its official public debut this week, pleasing users with new, faster features, but in no particular way leaping ahead of its predecessor or its growing host of competitors.
Firefox 3.5, the embodiment of Mozilla's attempt to "upgrade the Web," was released Thursday for Windows, Windows Portable, Mac, and Linux. Some of its key improvements are a new a new JavaScript engine for faster Web applications such as Google Docs; the ability to show video built into Web pages without plug-ins; a private browsing mode; fancy downloadable fonts; and geolocation technology that can let Web sites know where you are.
These features excited users, though they came as little surprise. The release followed a testing process that involved four beta builds, three release candidates, and a version number change.
But the thing is, even though Mozilla's browser broke Microsoft's lock on the market--Internet Explorer's market share is down a dramatic 8 percentage points to 65.5 percent in about the last year--Firefox is no longer the only scrappy, alternative browser in town. Other serious contenders now include Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome, and Opera.
And of course, there's also the challenge of getting Web programmers to employ Firefox 3.5's features.
Still, Firefox has come a long way, as we illustrate in this history of its big interface changes, from version 0.8 up to this week's release. And don't miss our list of Firefox extensions we've found to work--or break--in the new Firefox 3.5.
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Michelle Meyers is an associate editor who tracks online happenings in media, entertainment, and politics. E-mail Michelle. 
The only credit I give to IE is that it starts up faster. Besidfes that, FF is the best (although Chrome is faster, but I can't live w/o add-ons)
I have tried IE8, and FF is still better (there are several HTML4/XHTML pages that I developed that run fine in FF and won't even work at all in IE, and if I have a PHP script that takes a few minutes to load (mostly video conversion), FF displays it perfectly while IE just gives up and displays an Internal Server Error)
I only use Firefox when I need to use addon such as downthemall, other than that, i don't need Firefox at all...
I've also done my research, IE8 comes in dead last for any of the modern browsers when it comes to speed and web compatibility (standards).
Now, perhaps the fanboy can stop talking or at least give some argument to why his particular browser choice is, in fact, better than anyone elses.
Opera, Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL, Safari, and other programs without NoScript, Flashblock, adblock addon will screw your computer down! But addons are not support. Only support on Firefox and SeaMonkey or possible Flock. Please watch out for infect java or script going install virus on your computer without notice. So please use Firefox or SeaMonkey for best protection against virus come from infect Java or Script jump on your hard drive - worms eat something your files and screw your operating system down. Worms are everywhere drive or swimming through internet everyday happen.
Don't hate Mozilla team! Mozilla is super clever in the world than Microsoft.
Hey Fil0403, you miss something.
Someone install infect Java or script on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and other social websites can harm millions of computer then become corrupt. Like Confiker worm did it. Remember this on April 2009, that one what people are worry about this one. I saw happen everyday on Google News. Terrible things! Still more coming in the future. Virus can't stopped! Oh my god! More more virues, malwares, spywares, worms are come on way. No! NO! Microsoft and software companies need wake up!
Yes!!! brienza1975 is correct what brienza said that! Microsoft is lazy and forget to fix up.
Mozilla teams told to all people must use Firefox or SeaMonkey with addon will help people a lot. Microsoft is fail and too late add protection for Internet Explorer to be avoid get by to virus, malware, worms, etc.
By the way, I left you a very good response several comments up. Since you insisted on making a reply for every single comment, I'm sure you'll be back.
[CNET editor's note: Personal attack deleted.]
@Fil0403:
I think by "bloated" he meant "is not compatible with web standards, is the slowest browser, is torture for web developers, is not easily customizable ($$ for add-ons on ieaddons.com), looks horrible on my screen, and only has any market share because most people (ie. the ones who don't visit cnet) don't know of any alternatives"
Didn't say you work for Microsoft. Although, you certainly do a lot of advertising for a browser invented specifically for the purpose of taking out Netscape and which has (through previous versions) done more harm to the internet than any other force by use of proprietary technologies.
Now, how about trying to point out some of those features that you think makes IE8 so much better than Firefox 3.5. After all, this article was about Firefox, you made the claim IE8 was better under every single comment. If it's so much better, where's the proof?
You said IE was "compatible with most webpages", well... Firefox is W3C-compliant so it is compatible with ALL web pages (except those written by people who don't follow modern standards, such as HTML4 or XHTML)
Firefox doesn't have much for real-world security issues, especially compared with IE. Reliability? No issues there for me at all on different computers with different OSes. Compatibility with web pages? I haven't hit a decent one that had issues in years. Accelerators? Don't need them. Protected mode and Web Slices? Don't need those either.
So again, why is IE8 so wonderful?
Why would any one try IE8 where there are better alternatives? are you out of your mind? or are you an MS troll?
"Survey also point that IE is more secured than FF."
LMAOF, You embarrassing yourself now. Your posts on CNET are epic FAIL!!! ..together with your alter-ego twin surfer > Fil0403
And yes, I was using IE8 (I hate how it tells you to download windows search 4.0, which really bogs down my system, to activate its attempt at copying FF's "awesome bar")
For now I'm sticking with Google Chrome...and rolling back to an older version of FF. Right now these lockups even make running IE8 seem palatable.
Good choice
If you are having trouble, click Start>Run, type "firefox -P" (without quotes), and create a new profile
- by Clayerod August 1, 2009 8:03 PM PDT
- Ive got microsoft IE7, and google chrome, but I can't live without my FIREFOX 3.5
- Reply to this comment
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(59 Comments)When i bought my computer it came from the store with MICROSOFT IE7, (which is still there) but i really hate all those pop-ups, just way too many.
My e-mail search engine is GOOGLE, so i installed google chrome, which for me works okay (I'm happy)
Ever since i was introduced to FIRE FOX, it just spoiled me and i can't live without it, my computer default is now set to firefox. (I love it and no more problems with pop-ups,etc., it just neutralizes it all and i can just keep on working) It really is great.