September 26, 2006 5:40 PM PDT
Mozilla releases Firefox 2 RC1
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Using Firefox 2 is supposed to mean safer surfing. The browser will reportedly detect when a fraudulent site--like a bogus eBay or PayPal--has been accessed and will alert the user with a dialog box and grayed-out window, according to CNET Reviews' initial take on the browser.
Besides stepping up security, the browser also has a new look. The toolbar is see-through until moused over, when it will appear to glow, according to CNET Reviews. The RC1 version of Firefox 2 includes dynamic bookmarks that give personalized or updated titles on the bookmark list--for instance, news Web sites will feature the latest headline instead of the name of the site.
There's also a spell-check-as-you-go feature and the ability to resume the most recent browsing session, including any tabs that were open. (For a video peek at Firefox 2 RC1, click here.)
Firefox 2 RC 2 is scheduled for release the first week of October and the final version by the end of that month.
Firefox has been steadily gaining ground against market leader Microsoft's Internet Explorer since version 1.0 was officially released in November 2004. On CNET News.com, Firefox has a market share of nearly 30 percent, while IE has 58 percent and Apple Computer's Safari has about 9 percent.
But when considering Web surfing as a whole, 10 percent is done using Firefox and 80 percent with Internet Explorer, according to the Web analysis firm Net Applications.
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Otherwise you'll need to grow up and understand that with increased usefulness and features (which increase the number of lines of code needed for the application) comes the increased possibility of coders making mistakes.
Compound that with the fact that coders are constantly being pushed to put out versions faster and faster and you are virtually guaranteed errors in the code.
With all of these errors in the code (produced by increasing complexity and unreasonable timelines for releasing software) it should come as no shock to any adult web surfer that there is a certain minority among us who will exploit these errors. Whether that exploitation is for personal, political or financial gain is not relevant - only the fact that these individuals exist among us is.
So, you have 2 choices for a safe browser. Browse in text only browser like Lynx (http://lynx.browser.org/) or help eliminate the lure of exploitation either by making the penalties so damned harsh that NOBODY wants to get caught exploiting the flaws or by eliminating those among us that would exploit the flaws.
While it is certainly the wish of all of us affected by hackers to be able to purchase a hunting license for hackers and spammers and kill them in the streets - this is not currently legal and is not really an option.
However, you do have the option of pushing for more jail time and higher financial penalties for those convicted of such crimes against emanity. And, contacting your government representatives is certainly easier due to our online access.
I encourage you to do so today. Insist on more jail time and higher fines for those invading your homes and businesses via your PCs.
(BTW: Did you know that the first person convicted of coding a malicious virus in the US could have faced 30 years in prison. He got only 18 months. This sets the precidence for future penalties. IMHO, he should have served every single day of the whole 30 years.)