Mozilla Firefox 2.0 introduces a variety of compelling new features. Familiarize yourself with the leading alternative Web browser’s latest edition inside this gallery.
Firefox 2.0, the leading Internet Explorer alternative available free, introduces many new features. Windows, Macintosh and Linux users can download Firefox 2.0 directly from Mozilla.
By Erik Eckel
System requirements for Firefox 2.0’s Windows version are fairly tame. Only a 233MHz processor and 64MG of RAM are required, so pretty much any modern Windows box can power the browser.
After installing Firefox 2.0, users receive this confirmation message that the update has completed. In addition, users can access Add-ons, such as Java and Flash plug-ins, using the Firefox Add-ons link.
Firefox 2.0 leverages the Mozilla/5.0 Web engine.
The Plugin Finder Service assists in locating and installing plug-ins, such as the Macromedia Flash Player.
Before installing most plug-ins, users must accept the license agreement.
Once the license agreement is complete, users can install associated plug-ins.
Firefox 2.0 provides confirmation that plug-ins installed properly. To complete the installation, click the Finish button.
Once the appropriate plug-ins are installed, Web pages will display properly in Firefox 2.0.
Here you can see the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in at work (displaying the Nonstop Web 2.0 element).
Clicking a bookmarked RSS link within Firefox 2.0’s Bookmarks Toolbar prompts a small pop-up menu to appear (as shown here) listing the most recent feeds from that RSS subscription.
Clicking any listed feed prompts Firefox to display that content as a Web page.
Clicking Tools | Options provides access to a wide range of Firefox 2.0 settings.
From the Main menu, users can specify actions the Web browser should take when starting, the home page URL to be used and more.
Users configure tab settings, such as enabling warnings whenever a user is about to close multiple tabs, using the Tabs menu.
Using Firefox 2.0, RSS feed options are set using the Feeds menu. Here RSS feed behavior is changed and updated.
Among the options you can configure on Firefox 2.0’s Advanced menu are automatically having Firefox, instlled add-ons and search engines check for updates.
A host of service providers are available using Firefox’s integrated Web search box. Just click the drop-down arrow to view installed options.
Firefox 2.0 makes it easy to delete private Web site session information. Just click Tools | Clear Private Data to clear Web private information from the PC.
Firefox 2.0 offers an Error Console to help troubleshoot JavaScript code. Here the console displays various JavaScript warnings from a problematic Web site.
Using Firefox 2.0, users can report suspicious Web sites as potential Web forgeries. To do so, users need only click Help | Report Web Forgery while viewing the Web site in question.
Firefox 2.0 includes a built-in spellchecker, which users can leverage to check the spelling of blog entries, Web postings and other form data.
Firefox 2.0 blackens out pages suspected of being phishing or forgery sites. Firefox also displays the international No symbol and displays the warning message shown here.
Firefox 2.0’s new Live Title bookmarks simplify tracking auctions and other frequently updated information (such as stock prices). Simply bookmark compatible sites and add them to Firefox’s Bookmarks Toolbar.
Firefox 2.0’s support for tabbed browsing works equally well on the Macintosh platform. Here you can see how Firefox on the Mac manages tabbed browsing.
Firefox 2.0’s Suspected Web Forgery warning feature works as well on the Macintosh as on Windows.
Both Windows and Mac users receive this warning message when navigating to suspected phishing sites. Users can choose to ignore the warning, leave the site, or learn more about the dangers of phishing and forged sites using the supplied links.
Firefox 2.0 options are configured on the Macintosh just as they are on Windows systems.
The only difference is the method in which the options are accessed. On Windows systems users click Tools | Internet Options. Macintosh users, meanwhile, click Firefox from the Mac’s system wide menu bar and select Preferences.
Firefox 2.0 includes the Mozilla Quality Feedback Agent, which can be enabled to collect technical information about Firefox with its developers. The information is used to help developers improve future versions.
Erik Eckel is a managing partner at Louisville Geek and president of Eckel Media Corp. He previously served as Executive Editor at TechRepublic. He received Microsoft Engineer accreditation from Sullivan University and earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Louisville. He's earned Network+, Windows NT 4.0 MCP+I and MCSE, and Windows 2000 Professional MCP accreditations.
