Firefox 3 review
Firfox 3 released in 2008 is gaining popularity exponentially within a short span of time. With the new Gekko 1.9 engine, Firefox downloads web page faster and uses lesser system resources. Some add-ons that were created for Firefox 2 might not work with Firefox 3 but in the future they will definitely work. This new browser now comes with built in data mining tools that can be used for your browser history and bookmarks. The most important enhancements included in Firefox 3 are the security related features that are built in such as antiphishing protection that makes Firefox the most trusted, secure browser.
You will find that the interface in some places is the same but slightly different in others. Interestingly the placement of buttons has not changed, however icons are new. The new browser now offers a native look . For instance, Linux version now matches linux user interface. Firefox 3 also provides smooth scrolling of browser tabs. What will grab your attention are the large number of icons that are near and within address bar itself. If the company logo is available then it will appear before URL. After URL, you will find familiar RSS icon and the new 1 click bookmark star. Other tweaks are those to the Add-ons manager, download manager and password manager.
Returning within the new browser are core features like Session restore, pop-up blocker, spell checking and automated updates. Most exciting feature is the new improved rendering speed. This is due to the Gekko 1.9 engine. You will happy to knosw that Firefox 3 passes Acid2 Browser that is designed by Web Standards Project. This test is specifically designed to motivate the designers to strictly follow CSS 2.0 and HTML specifications.
Months of testing has been done before releasing Firefox so that users do not experience any major problem while using the software application. The best thing about Firefox is available for free on different operating system: Linux, Mac and Windows. You will also find localised language versions of Firefox 3 including Byelorussian and Basque. Unlike other browsers Firefox 3 doesn't require any system reboot.
Users will definitely find the project “Places” worthy of praise as it helps to create a database of history, tags, bookmarks within the browser that you can search, sort and organise. Depending on how you access this useful database, it gives rise to new features within the new browser.
One noticeable change is the awesome “Smart location bar”. When you type any URL on the search bar, this location bar will search through your bookmarks and history and also present a drop down list of web pages that are recently accessed. It will work even if you know the URL. If you find it annoying, you can always disable the feature. For disabling the feature, you will have to use the about:config file
If you want the page's URL to be stored as a bookmark then you have to just click the icon once. If you click it twice then the URL will be assigned to an existing and new folder. You can give the new bookmark tags or short keywords so that your searching process becomes easier and you will be able to identify your new bookmark without any hassle.
Also the new feature is the Full page Zoom. Unlike other browser, this new version of Firefox completely hides Zoom feature within your view toolbar option and it also does not increment. This feature will be refined in next version(Firefox 4). Other enhancements within Firefox 3 are the changes to Add-ons manager. So if you want to install any add-on, you can directly do it from the manager.
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