CNET Editors' review
No longer a fledgling upstart, Firefox is the gold standard of alternatives to the still-dominant Internet Explorer. Firefox 3.6 is full-featured, lightning fast, and secure. Its killer selection of add-ons remains strong, with built-in support for the next generation of themes, called Personas, plus the latest update makes version 3.6 about 20 percent faster than version 3.5. However, competition is strong and it can no longer be said that Firefox is the fastest browser available.
Several notable improvements in the latest revamp keep Firefox abreast of current browsing tech. In addition to the aforementioned improvements made to the TraceMonkey JavaScript engine so that it renders Web applications faster, there have also been other significant under-the-hood changes. These include: blocking third-party software from encroaching on Firefox's file system turf to increase stability; support for the Web Open Font Format, which means many non-English browser users should have a faster time loading Web pages with downloadable fonts; and support for the File interface, which can help with tasks such as uploading multiple photos and is part of the draft HTML5-standard effort. HTML5 support debuted in Firefox 3.5. Another deeper change to the browser is that it is now running scripts asynchronously, which can help to load a Web page faster by putting off some work until the high-priority chores are complete. Firefox 3.6 also isolates out-of-date plug-ins so they do not become a security risk.
Unlike Firefox 3.5, which was more about keeping the browser current rather than blazing new trails, Firefox 3.6 is once again on the warpath. Upgrading is highly recommended.
Mozilla Firefox - Surf the web and customize your browser - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Mozilla:
Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured Web browser. Firefox includes pop-up blocking, tab-browsing, integrated Google search, simplified privacy controls, a streamlined browser window that shows you more of the page than any other browser and a number of additional features that work with you to help you get the most out of your time online.
What's new in this version:
Firefox 3.6 is built on Mozilla's Gecko 1.9.2 web rendering platform, which has been under development since early 2009 and contains many improvements for web developers, add-on developers, and users. This version is also faster and more responsive than previous versions and has been optimized to run on small device operating systems such as Maemo.
Notable Firefox 3.6 features include
- Available in more than 70 languages - get your local version.
- Support for a new typ... See all new features
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 15,263 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 314 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Better than ever!"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Very fast and friendly.
Cons
First download was non-responsive.
Summary
At first after downloading, I was totally dissapointed. Everything bogged down and browsing was comparable to dial-up. I began actually looking around at ratings on other browsers, then decided to reload Firefox to see if that fixed the problem. The reload did the trick!
I'm thinking that possibly there was a glitch with Windows, which was fixed on the new download. Now , I couldn't be more pleased with the new Firefox!
The bottom line: Fast, responsive and works like a charm!! -
"Much easier to use than IE 8"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
I had many problems with IE8 and none with Firefox. I changed from IE6 and found Firefox to be more like IE6 and easy to use.
Cons
Is not compatable with Canon Easy Web Print
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"more crashes"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
none to speak of yetI currenently use Split on firefox which in itself I could not survive without now that I have it
Cons
no HP smart web printing, so I am back using IE8 until
Summary
Previous was fine for me, what had to changed ? If it worked OK leave it alone or work with HP to resolve Smart web and Foxdie and why should I lose my settings to a an upgrade and how can I go back to the previos version, all sires even those labeled 3.5 take me to 3.6
print was so small and i had no glasses, my spelling was horrible which by the way spellcheck went somewhere
Updated on Mar 21, 2010 -
"still going great"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
steady and always working without problems with the add one and u cannot say that about explorer
Cons
nothing wrong about firefox
Summary
steady and always working without problems with the add one and u cannot say that about explorer
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"It is the best that I've used."
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
I click Ctrl and scroll forward with my mouse and the font gets bigger. I do not know why some are saying the font is tiny. It is adjustable on my computer.
Cons
I don't know yet.
Summary
My grandson installed Firefox for me a year and a half ago and I've never looked back.
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"Don't notice a lot of difference from previous version."
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Works better for me than IE, Chrome, etc.
Cons
Not a lot to dislike.
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"Quick and extremely customizable"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Great number of add-ons
Cons
bogs down a bit
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"hmmm 4.5 Stars"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Customization - DUH
Performance and etc. (the usual)Cons
Nothing new or amazing from the Mozilla team!?!?!?
Personas --- Was that it???Summary
I'm really looking forward to 3.7. I DON'T DIVE A * about being a nanosecond faster than Chrome ... BUT ... It better perform better than chrome (Chrome still doesn't render some web pages properly)
And I'm expecting BIG THINGS in terms of 4.0 (Dont let me down, I'm 100% Firefox) -
"Windows/Mac/Linux"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Firefox is the grandchild of the venerable Mosaic browser and free-roaming son of Netscape.
Cons
Things change quickly in the world of computers. Just a year ago Microsoft's Internet Explorer seemed to have an unassailable hold on the Internet browser market.
Summary
Windows/Mac/Linux: Firefox is the grandchild of the venerable Mosaic browser and free-roaming son of Netscape. Although Firefox has a myriad of user-friendly, forward-thinking features, a decently secure framework, and an open-source ideology, its most prominent is extensibility. When convincing a Firefox user to abandon Firefox for anything else, even temporarily, you won't have to fight them over giving up the AwesomeBar or about:config tweaks?you'll hear a common, understandable refrain: "What about my extensions?" The repository of extensions maintained by Mozilla currently has over 6,000 entries, covering everything from blocking advertisements, to managing your clipboard, to allowing you to further customize your browsing experience with scripts a la Greasemonkey (here's 10 of our must-have picks). Combine the passion people have for extensions and the ability to sync those extensions across multiple computers and portable installations, and you've got a force to be contended with. For a closer look at Firefox, make sure to check out our power user's guide to Firefox 3 and the top 10 Firefox 3 features. http://www.etechreviews.net
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"Browser Made EVERYTHING Too Small to Read. Bad!!!!"
Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6
Pros
Nothing to like yet until problem is fixed. Stay away for now.
Cons
I have a 24" monitor with high def. Everything went into micro-mode and tiny fonts after 3.6 download. This is a major problem which the solution is elusive. Others have had similar problems.
Summary
Don't download just yet.
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