Mozilla Firefox – World Wide Web Browser

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Mozilla Firefox – World Wide Web Browser

Mozilla Firefox is the guide's choice of web browser, and has a long and interesting history. Originally the Mozilla project was the developers name for the Netscape browser, which was eventually released as an open source project. The browser was later heavily modified, and released to the world as Mozilla Firefox.

The new browser enjoyed an immediate success, introducing tabbed panes, and new security features. One sign of this success was that it caused Microsoft to develop and release a new version of the Internet Explorer browser with similar features.

Since the version 1.5 release, one of the most fundamental changes in the program has been to develop a standard platform for all the Mozilla products, similar to a Rich Client Platform. While this hasn't changed the external appearance of the program much, it has opened up the possibility for developers to produce small extensions (or add-ons) to the functionality of the main browser program.

This article will limit itself to explaining how to install and uninstall the program. The guide also provides its own pragmatic tutorial, Using Mozilla Firefox, which explains using the program, and also gives links to other sources of information about the program.

Alternative Browsers

Mozilla Firefox may not be your favourite choice of browser. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives. The guide lists a few here, but makes no judgements, as it is impossible to analyse all of them in depth.

Internet Explorer:	The most popular web browser, probably because it is embedded in the most popular operating system. Windows™ only.
Safari:	The de facto web browser on Macintosh™ computers. Available for free for the Macintosh™, and Windows™.
Opera:	Full featured browser, for Windows™, Macintosh™ and Linux™. Opera Software ASA also produce mini and micro browsers for mobile devices.
Konquerer:	The ubiquitous Linux™ KDE file manager and web browser.

The Wikipedia also provides a comparison list of web browsers.

Before You Install Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox, as for any other browser, makes use of the Java Runtime Environment to enable Java applets in web pages. The guide explains installing the Java Runtime Environment in this article.

Your Existing Browser

If you are already using a browser, such as Internet Explorer, don't uninstall it until you have completed the Mozilla Firefox installation. This is because Firefox uses information from that browser to automatically import the settings and bookmarks. If it doesn't find the browser, then it won't be able to import these values.

Installing the Program

The Mozilla web site, http://www.mozilla.com/, provides a download button “Download Firefox - Free” directly on the home page. However, just underneath this button there is a “Other Systems and Languages” link, which, if you click on it, gives the full list of available installation packages.

From this list, choose the most appropriate language and operating system. I chose the Windows™ version in English. Clicking on the “Download” link starts the download of the installer.

As for all downloads in the guide, I saved this file in my downloads folder, creating a www.mozilla.com sub folder. Use Explorer to open this sub folder, then double click on the FireFox Setup 2.0.0.6.exe file and you will see the following dialog:

Click on Next >.

Click on the “I accept...” radio button, then click on Next >.

The standard setup is both the best and simplest choice. Now click on Next >. At this point, the installation process begins, and can take a few minutes. Once concluded, you will see the following dialog:

Click on Finish to terminate the installation process. If you leave the “Launch Mozilla Firefox now” box checked, as above, Mozilla Firefox will be started for you.

Using the Program for the First Time

The first time you use the program the import wizard will attempt to import bookmarks and form passwords from your existing web browser.

Once the settings and data values have been imported, you can choose the home page for the browser. This is the page that the browser will display when it is started. The default, “Firefox Start...” is a good choice here, as it provides a Google search form.

At this point, Mozilla Firefox will start up, so make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet. The first time you use Firefox, two tabbed windows are automatically opened – the welcome page, and the home page. The welcome page simply provides information on using the browser.

The next time you open the browser only the home page will be displayed.

Automatic Upgrades

Mozilla Firefox checks for upgrades both of itself and any extensions you may add, and will inform you when newer versions are available. You can then choose to download the upgrade immediately, or wait until a more convenient time.

You will have to close Mozilla Firefox, and then start it up again for the upgrades to take effect.

Next Steps

You are now ready for the guide's pragmatic tutorial in the Using Mozilla Firefox article.

Uninstalling the Program

Mozilla Firefox uses the standard Windows™ uninstall mechanism. From the desktop, double click on My Computer, then from the left hand pane select Add or Remove programs as shown below:

Select the Mozilla Firefox program, then click on Remove. The uninstall wizard dialog will then appear:

Click on Next >.

Click on Uninstall. If you still have Firefox running then you will be presented with the following dialog:

Click on OK to close the program. The uninstallation of Mozilla Firefox will then start. Once the program has been removed, the following dialog is shown: