Firefox Secrets

Because of ongoing security problems with Internet Explorer, many Web surfers are trying Mozilla's Firefox browser. If you're new to Firefox, there are a lot features and options that are not immediately apparent.

It's Free, But You Can Pay For It If You Like

Firefox is available for free download from the Mozilla site. But, for those that prefer to have a CD installer, Linspire is distributing Firefox as part of its open-source office suite OOoFf! (OpenOffice.Org + Firefox.) OOoFf! provides an inexpensive but powerful alternative to Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer.

Linspire hopes that once users are comfortable with Firefox and OpenOffice, they will consider a Linux desktop. According to Linspire CEO Michael Robertson, "As users grow comfortable with these high-quality open source products, it makes the migration to desktop Linux a much more practical transition."

Security Secrets

Firefox is touted as being more secure than Internet Explorer. Many of the reasons are hidden:

* Firefox is not integrated with Windows, which helps prevent viruses and hackers from causing damage if they somehow manage to compromise Firefox.

* There is no support for VBScript and ActiveX, two technologies which are the reasons for many IE security holes.

* No spyware/adware software can automatically install in Firefox just by visiting a web site.

* Firefox doesn't use Microsoft's Java VM, which has a history of more flaws than other Java VMs.

Super Find

Firefox delivers a souped-up find feature. Type control-f (on Windows) and Firefox will display a search bar at the bottom of the browser window. Type your search text and Firefox finds it on the page. It provides options to highlight the text, and find next and previous instances.

The Secret of Getting Lucky

Type "google" plus a search phrase in the URL field, and Firefox will do an "I'm Feeling Lucky" search at Google. Firefox will take you to Google's best match for your search phrase.

Toolbar Secrets

If you don't like the default Toolbar, just right click on it (Windows) and select "Customize". This displays a palette of additional buttons that can be dragged to the toolbar. Resize the icons, or use text if you want to save some space.

JavaScript Secrets

Firefox lets you enable or disable JavaScript. But it also has Advanced JavaScript Options that let you disable specific JavaScript actions. Use this to stop JavaScripts from doing things like moving/resizing windows, hiding the status bar, or changing the status bar text.

View Source on Steroids

Web developers often use their browser's "View Source" option to check their presentation markup. Firefox lets you "View Selection Source". This saves time, because you can view just the section of HTML that you're interested in, and you don't have to scan through a long document of code.

Navigation Secrets

Firefox has deep support for keyboard and mouse shortcuts. For example, Shift + Scroll Down is equivalent to clicking the Back button. Increase or Decrease the text size using CTRL and the plus or minus key. The help documentation explains all the options.

These secrets are just scratching the surface. Next week, we'll take a look at Extensions, performance secrets and customization.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Firefox

Firefox Launch Slows Mozilla Site

The Extension Room - Firefox Extensions

Use a different web browser

OpenOffice.org + Firefox

Creating a Skin for Mozilla

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