Mozilla FireFox 1.0PR - Reviews - Software - Internet

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Mozilla FireFox 1.0PR

By Robert Vamosi, CNET.com
September 17, 2004
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/software/internet/soa/Mozilla-FireFox-1-0PR/0,139023437,139159709,00.htm

Mozilla FireFox 1.0PR This free app has more features than the most recent version of Internet Explorer.

Mozilla.org, an open-source effort created by some of the original pre-AOL Netscape designers, has been working on Firefox, its Internet Explorer alternative, for several years now. On Tuesday, the group released the much-anticipated preview of Firefox 1.0. The so-called Mozilla Firefox 1.0 Prerelease (PR) is very stable -- unlike most betas -- and offers many advanced features that should put Microsoft on notice. But don't take our word for it, try it here and stay tuned for our review of the final browser, which we expect soon. (Disclaimer: As with all beta products, Firefox 1.0 Prerelease is not intended to replace your full-time browser software. Please install with caution.)

Upside: This free app has more features than the most recent version of Internet Explorer. For example, Firefox 1.0 PR includes Live Bookmarks -- a feature that allows you to receive RSS feeds within your browser -- and a built-in Google search toolbar. Firefox also lets you view more than one Web page within a single open browser and has the most customisation options of any browser available. Like Internet Explorer, Firefox also includes a built-in pop-up blocker.

Downside: Microsoft maintains its monopolistic hold on the Internet browser market: 95 percent of the audience uses Internet Explorer. Cracking into that will be hard. Not every Web site is optimised for non-Internet Explorer browsers, so some, such as banking sites, may require you to use Microsoft's browser rather than Mozilla. And although more media plug-ins are now available for Firefox, you might want to check here first to make sure the ones you use are listed.

Outlook: The outlook is very good. Recent security vulnerabilities within Internet Explorer have caused minor erosion of Microsoft's browser market dominance. Of all the credible alternatives, Firefox maintains the most positive buzz and offers the most advanced features.

Firefox uses a familiar toolbar to make transitioning from Internet Explorer a cinch.