Firefox is making itself one of the most famous web browsers of the world due to the continuous updating of browser in its beta version, the news of the release of Firefox 4 release has not got very old and now the company has brought the beta 3 version of this browsers for testing.

This announced has been recently obtained from Mozilla that the Firefox 4 Beta 3 version is opened up for testing and basically the company will check the browser’s response towards the multi-touch operation.

A twist that has been brought available for the PC owners is that it will run only on the Window’s 7 operating system and the users of XP and Vista will have to change their OS if they want to enjoy the latest advancement from Mozilla.

Mozilla has notified this thing in its statements that this new browser will “enable people to interact with web content with their hands naturally and further “Developers can use multi-touch capabilities to leverage touch-enabled devices and provide people with an intuitive and fun browsing experience.”

The graphics of the web pages will now get more improved because the improved JavaScript values have been used in this new beta version. This new version is still under development and if you still want to see it then you can download it and help the company about it in Test Pilot add-on.

Though now in the development stage still we believe that this version is going to come very soon and the Windows 7 users will get this excitement on their computers.

It has been seen that Mozilla has launched a new advancement for the Firefox which is the ‘Firefox 3.6’ which is not totally different from its predecessors but some very nice and user-friendly enhancements have been made into this browser. The main and a very interactive change which you’ll notice in this new browser is the custom paint job which is called ‘Personas’ which changes the outlook of your browser according to your style. This is kind of putting your own themes on the browser so that apart from the standard body of Firefox you’ll be able to see sceneries, sports, flowers, seasons and many themes relating to different categories.

Photo by intothefuzz

For the new version of Firefox it has also been notified that it also possesses a new language of web the ‘HTML 5’ which is enhancement of the HTML and it allows you to stream videos online on the sites like YouTube without the need of Adobe flash plug-in which sounds really exciting and with that its has been notified that the HTML5 brings more enhanced security for the browsers. Thus the new enhancement for the user of Firefox will really bring some better experience for the user and the new capabilities of this browser will really prove fruitful for attracting more users.

A really nice and sound extension support in Firefox browser is an ample proof of the dexterity and smartness of developers at Mozilla. Now there you would find a wide array of extension that serves as a key or to be more exact most prominent factor in the success of the browser.

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You may know this before, extensions are add-ons of the browser that are developed on the Firefox browser functionality. They can be complex (like an entire application) as well as simple (like a toolbar buttons addition). With different extensions, Firefox can be customized to meet the preferences and needs of different users.

What are the best Firefox extensions? Well, different people have different opinion in this connection and you would also notice that different online sites have their different list of the best Firefox extensions. Features, functionality, and the workability of these extensions with other extensions are some things to evaluate the characteristics of these extensions. The following array of the best Firefox extensions has been ordered considering these very characteristics.

Adblock Plus

It is used to eliminate undesired elements and other annoying content like ads in pages. Adblock Plus is quite easily customizable and offers an entire subscription based automatic solution for the block list. Sometimes, this Adblock Plus often omits necessary content and it’s its only downside, but you can easily disable it temporarily as well as for always.

Photo by - =Ben= -

Adsense Notifier

Adsense Notifier extension can be a nice help for those who are using AdSense on their websites to generate more and more revenue. With the help of Adsense Notifier, you can convenient, but quick access to the revenue for some specific period of time like Last Seven Days, Today, Yesterday, This Month, Last Month etc.

Photo by cpio

AutoAuth

This extension causes the login to appear automatically once your password is saved for the dialog of HTTP authentication and you need not to click on OK button at the page.

Always Remember Password

Firefox seems to honor this when some website, by default, gives these instructions that do not allow a password manager to keep the login info. But it can be very helpful for you to keep your password saved if someone else doesn’t access your computer. With this extension you can retain the passwords for any site including Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and other banking sites.

Converter

The Converter extension allows you to get unit conversion from any assigned page. With this nice extension, a wide array of unit conversion is supported.

Copy Link Text

Copy Link Location appears when you right click some link in Firefox, it has an option that is called “Copy Link Location,” that can be very helpful to copy the URL of some link.

Download Statusbar

With this extension, downloads can be conveniently downloaded in the Firefox statusbar rather than displaying a dialog for these downloads. You can easily pause and resume downloads by double clicking some download to make it run.

ErrorZilla Mod

When there is some difficulty to load a page in Firefox, it offers you “Try Again,” “Wayback,” “Coralize,” “Trace,” “Ping” and many other options that you can utilize to gain this page access.

Fireshot

This extension can be used to take a web page screen shot for a snap and it can capture the whole page even if it is not visible. You need to make a single click and Fireshot not only captures this page, but copy, upload, print, mail or open it for the editing of this file.

Highlander

When some link is clicked to an already opened URL in some tab, this extension causes to be focus on the tab that is already open instead of duplicating this URL in another tab.

OpenBook

This Firefox extension offers customization to add Bookmark dialog and also adds the ability to resize the Add Bookmark dialog as well as open bookmark tree.

Google Cache Checker

To find out whether the current page has been Google cached or not, this extension checks different visited pages automatically.

These are some Firefox extensions that can be called the best Firefox extensions, but aside from these extensions, there are many Firefox extensions that doing nice job in their respective fields.

Here is a glance at the new features:

• Enhanced Webkit with some clever CSS features
• Form Autocomplete
• Full-page zoom
• Spell-check upgrading
• Autoscroll
• Docking drawn tabs
• Trades in bookmarks from Google Bookmarks
• Faster and more dependable SafeBrowsing implementation
• Modernized V8 Javascript engine
• Google chrome’s own HTTP network protocol
• Experimental user script support like Greasemonkey
• A new HTTPS-only browsing mode

First of all, we shall talk about the key feature of Chrome; the speed. Chrome 2 is said to be 25% faster than the previous version, thanks to V8; a newer version of JavaScript engine. Page loading happens quickly, and is a smooth experience. Java script enabled websites are also more responsive than before. Google’s V8 Benchmark put Chrome 2 ahead of the latest betas of Safari 4, Opera 10, Firefox 3.6 and IE8 RC1. When SunSpider benchmark tested them, it was ranked 2 immediately after Safari 4 Beta. Latest version of Webkit renders a platform for noteworthy faster page loading.

Now the petty issues! Google has at last introduced certain such features that might be new for Chrome users, but have been there with the other browsers since long. You guessed correctly; I am talking about the full screen mode, form auto-fills, auto-scrolling and zoom. Autofill feature is turned on by default, but one can turn it off deselect ‘Save text from forms to make them easier to fill out’ field in options. You can delete a suggested entry from the dropdown menu by simply hitting the delete key when the entry is selected. If the whole data is to be erased, go to Clear browsing data in the Tools menu (wrench icon) and select ‘Clear saved form data’ checkbox in the Clear Browsing Data dialog.

The autofill feature is naïve enough to differentiate between common web form fields like name, age, address etc. you will have to select the appropriate text manually. It is difficult for me to understand that how come Chrome 2’s autofill feature is so basic, when the Google toolbar for Firefox and IE comes with intelligent autofill feature?

Full screen mode has at last been introduced; but sadly, it is quite useless. Neither can you find any tabs or address bar, nor will you be able to access the toolbars and bookmarks. According to Google, this feature is meant for watching videos and presentations. Again, I cannot understand that when proficient video or presentation players come equipped with the full screen mode, why did Google even think about this unripe option? Full page zooming is also there, with support for entire contents, text and image.

Auto scrolling is happily welcome. Page can be moved in all directions. Spell check in forms is supported further with options to disable the feature and select the language. Tabs can be dragged in order to view two pages side by side in one window.

Though a lot of new features have been introduced in the young one; these are not new for users of other competent browsers. Google is struggling hard to attract users towards Chrome, but the simplicity is not always liked by everyone. Speed, on the other hand, is one great feature of Chrome that can urge one to download the version 2.

Source: pcworld

• Browsers work by sending a humble request to the server and then waiting for the next response. This takes time, as the browser won’t proceed until it gets a positive response from the server i.e. permission. This is a polite and slow method. An insistent and more powerful method is called “Pipelining.” In this method, the browser sends multiple requests to the server before the server gives any response. This usually results in decreased page download times.

How to do it? Here we have the answer to this question. Simple! Open your browser, type “about:config” in the address bar and click go. Then, double-click network.http.pipelining and network.http.proxy.pipelining, and set then to “true”. Then, double-click network.http.pipelining.maxrequests and set it to “8”. That is all!

Keep in your mind that not every server allows this aggressive browsing method. Constantly visiting such sites will reduce the performance level of this trick. If this happens, you can set the settings to “false” once again.

• Not every web page has a standard size; complex pages are heavier and take more time to get downloaded. Firefox shows whatever it receives after every 0.12 seconds. This is, though, satisfying in a way, but it increases the overall download time. This can be taken care of, too.

• Open your browser, type “about:config” in the address bar and click go. Windows users will right click and Mac users will ctrl click, anywhere in the middle of the window. Select “New”, then “Integer”, and type content.notify.interval in the bar as your preference name and click “ok.” Enter 500000 in the next bar, and click “ok” again. Again, right click and select “New” and then “Boolean”. Paste “content.notify.ontimer” and click ok, and set it to “true”. Not too difficult, is it?
• Firefox loads a page faster once you do not touch your keyboard or mouse for a period of 0.75 seconds. This is called the content switch threshold. Though, it is already a shorter period, but even shortening this period will boost the speed more. You can shorten the content switch threshold by a simple process. Open your browser, type “about:config” in the address bar and click go. Again, right click in the window anywhere and select “new” and then “integer.” Then, type “content.switch.threshold” and press ok. Type “250000” and click ok. Here you go!
• How annoying are the invasive pop up flash applets and animations, which block you from reading the stuff, that you want to, by covering the text. There is a simple solution to this problem. Install the Flashblock extension from flashblock.mozdev.org and such irritating pop ups will just vanish, speeding up your browsers speed. If you want to see a flash animation, you will just have to click its placeholder, download and view it. This is trouble-free, I think!

These were but few tricks which you can follow to boost up your already fast Firefox’s speed. We shall update you with more tricks as soon as we get to know more.

Written by “Seemab”

However, it may be possible that it has become too much light weight for some individuals that it lacks few of its main features. This may lead some users to switching to a different web browser.

Here are few simple ways by which the Google Chrome browser user can fill the functionality gaps without switching to different browser.

Enhance RSS support

If you would like to detect the RSS feeds in Chrome and want to subscribe for it via third-party reader. It is quite possible, you just have to browse the savanttools.com/feedhelp-bookmarklet.asp and then drag ‘Detect Feed’ link to your Bookmarks toolbar. Click it on any page with a RSS feed.  Now, subscribing to the feed becomes easy via one of nine supported readers, which also include Google Reader, iTunes, and Newsgator.

Secure passwords manager

Google Chrome does not encrypt the saved passwords. It does not even provide any master password in order to prevent the using or viewing them by other users. However, you can use the free KeePass tool for storing and filling up your passwords.

Social bookmarking

Google Chrome supports bookmarklets. This is great for bookmarking the social networking sites. To do this, you just have to drag and drop links supplied at the URLs underneath your Bookmarks bar for an easy updates such as Share this, Digg, Share the current page via Twitter, and Update your Twitter status quickly.

Synchronizing bookmarks

If you would like to use the Chrome on various PCs, synchronizing the bookmarks between all of them is a really tricky job. Foxmarks has reaffirmed through its aim to develop a version for Chrome, although for now Google has its own web-based bookmarks service on behalf of Chrome’s own bookmarks. You can use the bookmarklet from orizens.com/wp/topics/google-bookmarks-bookmarklet for accessing your own Google bookmarks from a pop-up window.

Block ads in Chrome

The easiest way to block ads in the Google Chrome is by using a third-party program known as Hostsman. Once it is installed, you choose Hosts > Check for Updates and then add MVPS Hosts, Mike’s Ad Blocking Hosts and Peter Lowe’s AdServers List.

Use mouse gestures in Chrome

Are you missing the Firefox’s mouse activity? You can add this functionality for your Chrome with the lightweight, but extremely customizable, gMote tool that is easily available for download from www.handform.net/gmote.php.

Open a blank new tab

If you do not want to see the Most Visited page to appear when you open a new tab, you can do that. First type ‘about:blank’ in the address bar, now drag it to your bookmark’s toolbar, while clicking it to open in a blank new tab you have to hold [Ctrl] + [Shift] at that time.

Change your Chrome theme

You can change the theme of your Chrome just by installing a new skin. However, Google Chrome do not have any built-in support for swapping themes, but it can be easily done by changing its default.dll file. Here you will find over twenty alternate choices for themes that also include the mimics Firefox at freechromethemes.com. Well, you can also able to create your own by the help of tutorial at www.askvg.com.

Anonymise Chrome

Each and every installation of the Google Chrome offers a unique identifier that has the capability to identify you. It is not necessary for the Chrome to always function, hence if you are disturbed, you can download the UnChrome from www.abelssoft.net/unchrome.php, which will change your identifier ID with zeroes.

Out of all these bugs, the issue with the Javascript was a crucial one as it affected the entire layout of the site to a great extent. There is the vulnerability issue that affects the other applications of Mozilla such as the email client called Thunderbird and the internet suite SeaMonkey. The previous bugs would easily allow the attackers to run some unauthorized code in the machines. The update is also said to improve the previously scripted commands as well as those that are included in the AdBlock Plus, the varied plug-ins. The update was launched Firefox is looking forward to chip away the dominance of Internet Explorer existing in the market today. If we believe the figures, Internet Explorer in the present day has a share of 67.5% of the global browser market. Such a figure shows a decline of almost 7% in the total percentage shared. These figures were generated by the Web Metrics Company Net Applications and were released on Monday. Mozilla’s only web browser Firefox has also gained some considerable market share in the same time frame and has increased more than 3% and has reached 21.53% of the total share.

These were the browsers that showed very less speeds as compared to the other browsers in the same test. Even the open source browsers totally wiped out the proprietary browsers especially when it came to performance, and by an enormous periphery. To elaborate further on the tests, it included the Internet Explorer 8 by Microsoft as the first candidate and then Firefox 3.0, Opera 10.00 also called the Opera Alpha, Chrome 2.0.158.0 as well as the WebKit 40220 developer venture that was added in Chrome as well the Safari by Apple.

Finally, there were results that the Chrome by Google and the Mozilla Firefox were the ones that won the competition and emerged as clear winners.

Gmail makes use of the Google Gears technology that is amongst the other things that would allow the browsers to store the data on the computer, simply called the local cache. If you are using a Firefox, Gears is not compatible but if you use Google Chrome, it has the Gears built in it. In view of the fact that Gears is a relatively rare, although, the majority would have to install it initially that Google helps you through. However, there are a few limitations about the Google Offline and can only download 10,000 messages including the latest as well as the most recently used. You would not be able to make use of the contacts tab in order to manage your connections, but the good part is that the auto complete feature for the email addresses works pretty well so that would save the hassles of remembering the email addresses.

However, the whole experience is certainly worth a try, especially when you are on a vacation or out of your office.

Netscape:

Netscape Navigator was the only web browser in the nineties to gain so much popularity. However, with Microsoft coming into business, Netscape didn’t really have an option. They lacked the manpower as well as the money to fight Microsoft. However, Firefox still remains on the Netscape technology, the latter has been forgotten long ago.

AltaVista:

Before Google, AltaVista was the only search engine existing. But Google’s Page Rank changed the whole scenario. This new tool by Google not only weighed the content of the sites but also linked to them and thence did a better job. There is simply no mystery on this one as Google can be a better search engine any day.

Pegasus Mail:

It was the first application to send an email successfully in the year 1989. It dates back to those times when internet was merely a small community and not as a huge network. Microsoft again came in with its very popular Outlook Express and that virtually wiped out not only Pegasus but almost all the existing email programs.

CompuServe and AOL:

AOL and CompuServe lined the near the establishment of Internet, other than they didn’t see the World Wide Web coming and used up too long trying to carry on their users inside their own little community. In the present day, AOL is principally a publisher, at the same time as CompuServe is an AOL-owned ISP.

WordPerfect:

WordPerfect version 5.1 was one of the best business programs ever written in the history of programming. Nevertheless, as soon as graphical operating systems came along WordPerfect developed for OS/2 instead of Windows. The postponed Windows version had a lot of bugs and was not accepted, and by the time WordPerfect came out with its new version, Microsoft’s Word for Windows had entered the market.