/ 25 October 2006

New-generation Firefox web browser launched

Mozilla on Tuesday released a new version of its Firefox web browser that has gained popularity as a free alternative to Microsoft’s ubiquitous Internet Explorer software.

In the two years since its release by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, the Firefox browser has won millions of devotees worldwide.

The Firefox 2 browser — made available for download on Tuesday — was heralded by the Mountain View, California, organisation as a “major update” developed by an “an international community of contributors”.

“Firefox 2 delivers the best possible online experience for people today,” said Mozilla chief executive Mitchell Baker.

“The improvements Mozilla has made to the ease of use, performance, and security in Firefox 2 reflect our ongoing, singular focus on meeting the needs of web users all over the world.”

Localised versions of the browser are available in 35 languages and tailored to work with Windows, Macintosh or Linux computer operating systems, according to Mozilla.

Firefox has 11% of the web browser market, compared with the 86% commanded by Internet Explorer and 1% for Opera software, according to recent figures from Onestat web analytics firm.

A strong advantage of Firefox has been a design that enables users to keep a set of browser windows open simultaneously and click easily between them with index tabs.

Microsoft built that coveted feature into its new Internet Explorer 7 software.

Both internet navigation systems allow updated online feeds of news headlines or other information by means of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) and boast improved security against online hackers and scammers.

They were also designed with functions to check word spellings.

Particular safeguards were installed to thwart “phishing”, tricking people into entering personal data such as credit-card numbers on bogus websites designed to appear legitimate.

Mozilla was originally a web-navigator code name at defunct internet firm Netscape when it dominated the internet browser world more than a decade ago.

Netscape fell from glory, its browser eclipsed by Internet Explorer and its company bought in 1998 by America Online and reduced to brand status.

The Mozilla Foundation was established in 1998 to complete the free, open-source software project and it registered as a non-profit foundation in July of 2003.

The project was so lucrative that the foundation established a for-profit arm, Mozilla Corporation, two years later to handle distribution and sponsorship of the Firefox browser and a Thunderbird e-mail application.

Firefox 1.0 was launched in November 2004 and gained popularity with companies and young computer users.

According to Jupiter Research, 44% of United States companies with more than 250 workers allow their employees to use Firefox on the job, compared with 26% a year ago.

Some youth-oriented websites report that a third of their visitors use Firefox. Mozilla estimates that 350 000 people download its web navigator daily and that Firefox has 70-million to 80-million users. — AFP