Get Mozilla Firefox (Run, Don’t Walk.)
Once in a while, a peice of software comes along that changes the world. Mozilla Firefox is not that peice of software. But Firefox did sit next to a peice of software that changed the world and it studied him.
No, Firefox didn’t change the world. That was Netscape Navigator. But Firefox sure changed my world. I truly believe I’m a better person for having used Firefox. And I know I’m a better browser because of it.
Okay, I’m done being silly.
I’ve been using Firefox since, I think 0.4 (called Phoenix), back in October 2002. I have used it as my primary browser every single day since July last year. And now I want to tell you exactly every detail of why Firefox means the world to me. Or, uh, at least the world wide web.
Why write why I’m so high on the Fox? Especially when there’s Ben Goodger’s great “Why You Should Switch to Firefox” article sitting on the Mozilla Foundation’s server? I feel there is a great deal I can contribute to the ongoing dialogue regardin—never mind. I can’t add anything. Oh well. Here goes anyway!
Browsing Security Essentials Left Out of IE
These are the most obvious reasons to use Firefox. Intelligent pop-up blocking. Zero security risk. Zero adware / spyware / browser hijacking via ActiveX. Dang! If that was it, that would be good enough, wouldn’t it? But wait! There’s more!
Tabbed Browsing
From the first time I touched Opera many years ago, I was in love with tabbed browsing. There’s no going back once you’ve used it for any length of time. Especially if you are an attention deficit browser like me. Really, I wish more applications would use this feature. (Like Microsoft Office! And Photoshop! And Dreamweaver! And Pagemaker! And Windows Explorer! Pretty much any and every application could be enhanced in some way by tabbed document switching.)
Find as You Type
I’m thinking of something orange… Something orange… Wait! Maybe I should type “something orange” into my browser window and see if I can find it! Or would I rather go back to the old days of Ctrl-F? Hmm… nope. Then “Find as You Type” it is!
Keywords and Keyword Search
Keywords provide a great feature for anyone (like me) who has bookmarks and still types URLs for their regularly visited sites. And the ability to make a keyword for a search is pretty darn cool. But when I discovered that 0.9 added a feature that made it possible to get a context menu item called “Add a Keyword for this Search…” I drooled on my desk chair, mouth open in awe.
Built-in Customizable Search
If it’s not enough to go to the address bar and type your custom created search, you can add your preferred search engines to a built in search toolbar. Forget the Google Toolbar… or the hundred other search toolbars.
Fast, Period. And Getting Faster
Early on, Firefox (Phoenix / Firebird / Whatever) was on par with IE in the speed department. But every release since 0.6, I have noticed significant gains in speed. The latest release is no different. Who knows? By the time 1.0 is released, the browser may actually deliver content to your desktop without you having to do anything! Oh wait. That’s RSS. That gives me an idea. How about Mozilla Chinchilla: the Mozilla RSS Aggregator! Oh, nevermind. Already had that idea.
Creative Coders, Creative Community
Wouldn’t it be great if…? Oh? Firefox already does? Seriously, I have never used software that seems to spontaneously choose to cater to my every whim. Some of the greatest thinking comes through in the easy-to-install extensions. Some of my personal favorites include Bookmarks Synchronizer, BugMeNot, Download Sort, AdBlock, Edit CSS, and Web Developer. And now, thanks to the brand new Mozilla Update, Themes and Extensions have reached a new level of organization.
But beyond extensions, the always active Firefox sections of the Mozilla Forums provide a powerful resource for tweaking, personalizing, and perfecting your browser. And every now and then, you can catch some hot flame action! Okay, very rarely. (Unless themes are involved.)
Enough reasons for you?
Then get Firefox 0.9, just released late last night. Not enough reasons for you? Then do check out “Why You Should Switch to Firefox” for more reasons.
And if that’s still not enough reasons, go get Ad-Aware to get your imminent adware and spyware problem under control, the Google Toolbar for your pop-up blocking and integrated search, and visit McAfee.com for your ActiveX-based virus-scanning needs.