System Requirements

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.

Update Complete

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

Firefox 2.0 leverages the Mozilla/5.0 Web engine.

Plugin Finder Service

The Plugin Finder Service assists in locating and installing plug-ins, such as the Macromedia Flash Player.

Plugin Licenses

Before installing most plug-ins, users must accept the license agreement.

Installing Plugins

Once the license agreement is complete, users can install associated plug-ins.

Plugin Installation

Firefox 2.0 provides confirmation that plug-ins installed properly. To complete the installation, click the Finish button.

Plugins At Work

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).

RSS

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.

Options - Main

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.

Options - Tabs

Users configure tab settings, such as enabling warnings whenever a user is about to close multiple tabs, using the Tabs menu.

Options - Feeds

Using Firefox 2.0, RSS feed options are set using the Feeds menu. Here RSS feed behavior is changed and updated.

Options - Advanced

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.

Search Providers

A host of service providers are available using Firefox’s integrated Web search box. Just click the drop-down arrow to view installed options.

Clear Private Data

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.

Error Console

Firefox 2.0 offers an Error Console to help troubleshoot JavaScript code. Here the console displays various JavaScript warnings from a problematic Web site.

Web Forgery Reporting

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.

Built In Spell Checker

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.

Suspected Forgery Sites

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.

Live Titles

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.

Tabbed Browsing

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.

Suspected Web Forgeries

Firefox 2.0’s Suspected Web Forgery warning feature works as well on the Macintosh as on Windows.

Web Forgeries

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.

Options - Security

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.

Mozilla Quality Feedback

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.