Firefox 2.0 Reviews and Comparisons

Firefox 2.0 is the latest free web browser from Mozilla Foundation. Firefox 2 features a lot of improvements, bug fixes and new features compared with previous Firefox version 1.5. Among the features include improved tabbed browsing, built-in spell checker, search suggestions, Session Restore and reopen tabs, web feeds or RSS support, Live Title, integrated search, Live Bookmarks, pop-up blocker, streamlined interface, phishing protection, automatic update, spyware protection by rejecting automatic installation by websites and has thousands of add-ons or extensions or plugins to customize the Firefox web browser.

Linux reviews Firefox 2 and concludes that “after using Firefox release candidates and the final version, I have run into only one consistent bug worth noting. By default, Firefox is configured to open links that would spawn a new window in a tab instead. This in itself isn’t a glitch, but the fact that Firefox keeps resetting this behavior after I specifically tell it to open the links in a window rather than a tab is annoying. I’m not sure what triggers the reset, but each time I check in Firefox’s Tab preferences dialog, the radio box for “a new window” is still checked. Changing this to “a new tab” and then back again solves the problem, but only for a little while.”

Technology Review concludes that Firefox is the Honda Civic of web browsers that the new browser brings to mind that often-updated automobile for other reasons as well. Like a new model fresh off the assembly line, this 2.0 browser is a little more comfortable, with the Web-browser equivalent of a better stereo, better shocks, and plusher seats. But underneath, it’s fundamentally the same product.

Act of War gives Firefox rating of 4 out of 10 and concludes that “it isn’t up to the mark. But after all it all depends on the user. I may use it differently and you may use it differently too. Give it a test drive and see the difference. As for me, I’m going back to Flock and Opera.”

The MacCast concludes that “with the improved performance and customization features, Firefox 2.0 is a major step towards becoming the most user-friendly browser available. There is still much work to be done, and some features that we still need extensions for. There are some options that it seems obvious that they should have been included, for example being able to set search and address bar entries show up in a new tab, changing the position of the tab bar to top or bottom of the screen, and the ability to sync bookmarks with online bookmarking sites. Despite those few lacking features, Firefox 2 is a great browser, and things can only get better from here.”

InfoWorld concludes that the new Firefox 2.0 Web browser contains a few bugs and some add-ons from earlier versions that are not yet available. Yet, giving Firefox a look at your organization is highly worthwhile. This Web browser continues to innovate in line with a very rapid release cycle, which its users have come to appreciate. The great degree of extensibility and usability will increase user productivity. Given one or two minor point releases to address bugs, this browser can be an easy and useful fit in most any enterprise.

CNet compares Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2, and picks Firefox 2 as the winner with conclusion that Firefox 2 still rules the browser roost for now, despite a much improved version of Internet Explorer. The most obvious new feature for IE 7 (tabs) has been in Firefox forever, and the security additions from Microsoft aren’t enough for us to allay concerns over new possible exploits. Lastly, the extensibility of Firefox 2 is its knockout punch, and IE’s add-ons cannot compare. The flexibility and customizability of Firefox might be best suited to more advanced Web users, but it has earned its spot at the top of the browsers.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 10:09 pm and is filed under Web Browsers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.