Mozilla made it very clear recently that the new browser version of Firefox 3.5 would reveal new functions applicable to designers and the average web surfer. Upon installing the new version, most noticeable differences came to light immediately - loading speed, use of memory with multiple tabs and privacy options.

Before I list the features which separate it from previous versions, I ran some speed tests on various web pages to see how the changes were implemented here. Information from Mozilla suggested that a number of changes have been applied related to speed. I did notice a speed of about 8 secs when loading a flash intensive page, though general sites like Google and MSN loaded in 5 secs. That’s an improvement on the usual 15 secs or more on some sites where flash movies needed to load.

Here is an overview of the changes that make a difference to the avid web surfer:

1.A tab can be dragged out of the window to be opened in a new window. Conversely, a new window can be dragged to a tabbed window.

2.Less display differences between versions of IE and Firefox 3.5

3.More integrated support for HTML 5 so embracing the new generation of standards for web graphics and flash movies.

4.A new private browsing mode allows users to visit web sites without leaving a record of those sites in cache, cookies and history.

5.No plug-ins needed to add videos that use formats like the Ogg format. Video formats requiring 3rd party plug-ins now play directly in the
browser.

6.You can choose as you browse whether or not to record the page in history by using the ‘Forget this Site’ option.

7.Location-based browsing can help you on sites where you need to find a venue, restaurant, etc. This works by providing information on your location so sharing your location information and is manually enabled by you if so desired.

8.Improved language support, Mozilla state on their site that the number of languages supported is now over 70.

Developers should check the full range of feature improvements on Mozilla at http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/3.5/releasenotes/

Some drawbacks include the fact that some extensions may not work on 3.5 from your previous version. Though, Firefox 3.5 certainly never adopts a hackneyed approach to its updates. There is always a fresh new function that improves our daily surfing requirements. The number of downloads in the first 24 hours of its release was reported to be over 5 million.

Firefox continues to shine as the browser of choice to the everyday web user.

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