A Mozilla Firefox Overview

Many of you have asked, "Why should I use the Mozilla Firefox web browser?" While I know many of you use Internet Explorer as your preferred browser (simply out of habit, by personal preference or maybe you didn't know you had a choice), I would strongly suggest that you start using Mozilla's Firefox browser as your default web browser for any content on the web. Here's just a sample of the reasons why:

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Advanced Features:

1. Pop-Up Blocking: Tired of pop-ups ruling your desktop? Wish your favorite site didn't always pop up annoying ads offering you some free trinket? You answer is here. Firefox offers advanced pop-up blocking so you won't have to see another pop-up again! It offers a customizable interface that allows pop-ups to launch just in case some sites require their usage, or on the odd chance you enjoy the pop-up windows from certain sites. There is even an addon/extension which will block all flash enabled content so you no longer have to endure that flickering flashing advert on your favorite website. And you can turn off the flash block when you visit your favorite flash enabled site.
   
   You can choose from hundreds of Addons/Extensions which extend the capabilities of Firefox from this location:
   http://en-US.add-ons.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/2.0.0.7/extensions/


2. Tabbed Browsing: Browsing multiple websites is part of using the Internet. But why use a new window for each site you visit? Every new window opened clutters your taskbar, and drains your computer of the resources it needs to function at optimum speed. The solution to this problem is simple: Tabbed Browsing! Tabbed browsing not only uses a fraction of the resources a new window uses, but it also organizes all of your websites in easy to use "file folder" styled tabs. Switching back and forth between your sites is as simple as clicking on the Tab you want view. Best of all, you can open as many Tabs as you like in a single window.


3. Increased Security: Ever noticed weird programs or advertisements that pop-up on your computer? Chances are, you were infested by a type of program commonly known as SpyWare. SpyWare uses security flaws in web browsers such as Internet Explorer to easily invade your computer, track your data, and deliver annoying advertisements. With Firefox, you don't have to put up with that kind of intrusion! Its advanced security features help prevent Spyware from waltzing in and taking over your computer. Firefox also provides full control over cookies, password storage, browser cache, and other safety features. This means that your data and web browsing experience is the safest it can be, so you can enjoy the Internet even more!


4. Automatic Updates: Too busy to look for software updates? No problem! Starting with version 1.5, Firefox checks for the latest security and feature updates quickly and quietly, every time you use the browser! If any updates are found, it prompts you when they are ready for installation.

Now, all these are similar to other nice browsers, such as Safari, Galeon, Konqueror, or Netscape. (Notice how IE is not in the list of "nice browsers...." it doesn't even have tabbed browsing.). But, what takes Firefox a level above all browsers is the diversity of plugins you can download (actually called extensions), developed by the user community, for the community...

1. Adblock Plus. Right-click on a banner and choose "Adblock" from the context menu - the banner won't be downloaded again. Maybe even replace parts of the banner address with star symbols to block similar banners as well. Or you select a filter subscription when Adblock Plus starts up the first time, then even this simple task will usually be unnecessary: the filter subscription will block most advertisements fully automatically. And, recently, you can update automatically the filterset with Adblock Filterset.G Updater!


2. Backup Your Saved Passwords. This extension allows you to export and import your saved passwords and rejected sites between computers. Your passwords will be exported to an XML or CSV file and can be encrypted.


3. Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer If you use Firefox on more than one computer, you'll want Foxmarks. Install Foxmarks on each computer, and it will work silently in the background to keep your bookmarks synchronized. You can also log in to my.foxmarks.com to manage your bookmarks from any computer.


4. IE Tab is a great tool for web developers, since you can easily see how your web page displayed in IE with just one click and then switch back to Firefox.


5. Flashblock is an extension for the Mozilla, Firefox, and Netscape browsers that takes a pessimistic approach to dealing with Macromedia Flash content on a webpage and blocks ALL Flash content from loading. It then leaves placeholders on the webpage that allow you to click to download and then view the Flash content.


6. PDF Download solves the problems everyone has about handling PDF files with Firefox. This extension, every time you click on a link, checks if the target is a pdf file and in this case let you choose what you want to do (open pdf file inside or outside Firefox, download it to the filesystem or view it as HTML).
   NOTE: PDF Download is not a PDF plugin: you still need to have installed the Adobe or the FoxIt PDF plugin if you want to open a PDF inside Firefox.


7. Tab Mix Plus enhances Firefox's tab browsing capabilities. It includes such features as duplicating tabs, controlling tab focus, tab clicking options, undo closed tabs and windows, plus much more. It also includes a full-featured session manager with crash recovery that can save and restore combinations of opened tabs and windows.


8. ForecastFox. Get international weather forecasts from AccuWeather.com, and display it in any toolbar or status bar with this highly customizable and unobtrusive extension.

Other Features Include:

1. FREE DOWNLOAD
2. Compact Download size (5.0MB)
3. Usable on most operating systems:
• Windows: XP, 2000, ME, 98, 95
• Apple/MAC: OS X
• OS 10.2x. or higher
• Linux: Most i686 Distribution
4. Easily Imports your Favorites and Bookmarks from other Web Browsers
5. Find what you need quickly with Google Search right on your Toolbar
6. Compatible with the latest Plug-ins such as Macromedia Flash and Shockwave, Java, Real Player, and QuickTime

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