FireFox 5.0

FireFox 5.0

Recently I reviewed Firefox 4.01 which turned out to be a crash-crazy browser. I got the new version over a week ago and it has not crashed once while doing the same task as always.

Here it is while using Google's new search format.

Hundreds of tiny improvements have worked. But the best feature is the Do Not Track function. To quote Mozilla "...transmitting a Do Not Track HTTP header every time your data is requested from the Web." is how it works. I have been noticing that my Google ads are the same no matter what site I visit hopefully that will stop.

Here's why this is a 80% program...
Pros

1. Easy to use
2. It has stopped crashing

Cons

1. Is hogging more memory

Rating: 8 out of 10 (80%)

Got it at: FireFox 5.0

FireFox

FireFox 4.01

This is an internet browser that is customizable in a variety of ways. Sure you change look, layout, and functions but can you stop it from hogging up all your memory? Nope.

Mozilla Firefox is one of the most prominent companies to use the model of "first to market then fix the bugs". Their constant updates making the product seem fresh and new. Young people especially prefer a product that is updated periodically instead of one that is finished and perfected.

I keep Internet Explorer 9 as my default since it is much more stable although slower, plus a few sites are still not Firefox friendly. I also tried Opera for a few years and while a superior browser it lacks some add-on features.

Crashing is a common in Firefox and despite clean installs thanks to Java heavy sites I like to visit I still have problems. Most recently with the new Yahoo Mail.

Here is my current extension list...
Exif Viewer 1.60: It shows all of a pictures properties if available, for us amateur photographers it is good.
IE View 1.4.5.1: To quickly use Internet Explorer when you need a second browser.
Image Zoom 0.46: To zoom or flip images online.
Java Console 6.0.25: Needed for Java stuff.
McAfee SiteAdvisor 3.3.1: Great for blocking bad sites.
TinEye Reverse Image Search 1.1: Again for my photography it is great to see who has your picture or find the original of someone else's pictures.

I will add extensions as needed but for now I am trying to keep FireFox lean.

Here's why this is a 70% program...
Pros

1. Easy to use
2. Very customizable

Cons

1. Often crashes
2. Constant updates
3. Although lots of extensions exist it still not 100% customizable

Rating:  7 out of 10 (70%)
Got it at :  Mozilla.com