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Topic: Open Source

Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

Summary: Mozilla's most recent Firefox 4 beta -- version 9 -- continues to improve vis a vis Chrome, the other open source browser.Most notably, beta 9 -- which was released on January 14 -- offers a faster startup time and bookmarking and overall performance gains.

Paula Rooney

By for Linux and Open Source |

Mozilla's most recent Firefox 4 beta -- version 9 -- continues to improve vis a vis Chrome, the other open source browser.

Most notably, beta 9 -- which was released on January 14 -- offers a faster startup time and bookmarking and overall performance gains. That, combined with the Panorama feature and full HTML5 support, gives Firefox the firepower it needs to compete against Google's rival and, of course, Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

The first beta debuted in June. There have been nine beta releases and it is not clear if there is one or two more betas coming or if the next stage is release candidate: the number of remaining blockers will determine that, and an announcement on that could come today.

Developers say the final version is set for release late February.

As that draws near, testers are applauding the performance boosts, user interface improvements and the new Panorama tab view/organizing feature. On the down side, some have griped about lackluster Linux support.

Firefox 4 is a major upgrade and will help Mozilla preserve its sizable market share.  Several of the features embodied in the new release -- particularly the startup speed and Panorama feature -- are the ones that tempted me, and countless others, I suppose, to use Chrome.

There's no doubt that Firefox will face increasing competition from Chrome but version 4 is the most powerful response to Google's open source rival to date.

Topics: Open Source, Browser

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20 comments
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  • Good choice Paula: Robust says it all.

    There isn't a browser that remotely compares with Mozilla Firefox's pure robust feature set.

    I'll gladly wait a few milliseconds and use FF over Chrome any day.

    There are too many reasons not to change. The plugin ecosystem continues to thrive and with Ubuntu and AppArmor, there is a stock profile to keep your FF session safely ensconced in a sandbox for a worry-free internet experience.

    You can't match that. Mozilla Firefox. The best browser on the planet.

    I stake my reputation on it.
    Dietrich T. Schmitz, ~ Your Linux Advocate
    Reply Vote

    • I thought you would be touting

      The nonexistence of the multiple-tabs problem in Firefox. If I have a large number of tabs open in Chrome, it grinds down to.. not as fast. Firefox? Not only does it feel faster with a single tab, but it doesn't slow down when you have twenty open either.
      Michael Alan Goff
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

      @Dietrich T. Schmitz, Your Linux-Only Fanboy <br><br>Tried Ubuntu recently, nope, still not interested. Comodo's sandboxing and Defense+ work great for a worry-free internet experience.<br><br>Isn't Chrome available for Linux as well?
      CobraA1
      Reply Vote

      • Sadly, yes

        Even worse is the fact that it is so horrible on Ubuntu.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • Chromium (the unGoogled Chrome)

        @CobraA1

        A compilation of the Chrome source code is available for Linux as Chromium. (Chromium is also the name of the open-source project that is the foundation for Google Chrome.)

        Chromium is not built by Google, but uses the same source code as Google Chrome. The main differences between Chrome and Chromium are items that Google adds to their Chrome release, things like an auto-updater, Adobe Flash, Google branding, and tracking user browsing habits.
        R_Connelie@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

        [i]Isn't Chrome available for Linux as well?[/i]

        Why use that when Chromium, it's open source, spyware-free counterpart is available.
        LTV10
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

        ". . . things like an auto-updater, Adobe Flash, . . ."

        Things that should be standard on any browser . . .
        CobraA1
        Reply Vote

    • Nah, firefox is old and bloated

      @Dietrich T. Schmitz, Your Linux Advocate

      Chrome is a better experience. And I havent had problems browsing the internet since XP sp2.
      otaddy
      Reply Vote

      • I used to carry that same standard

        And then I actually used Firefox 4.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • Golf256 . . .

        I have to agree. Firefox 3 was taking forever to boot, so I started using Chrome, just to test it. Chrome couldn't handle the workload I have, so I was starting to resign my self to it taking forever to get anything done.

        I then (finally) downloaded FF4b9. After using it for three days, I uninstalled Chrome and won't look back.
        JLHenry
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

    Too late those who have used Chrome dislike Firefox or should I say bloated Firefox; after using Firefox for years I have already moved to Chrome :)
    shellcodes_coder
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

    Its about time. At least they have a tentative release date now.
    Loverock Davidson
    Reply Vote

  • It's all about

    Extension compatibility.
    Real World
    Reply Vote

  • What about Opera?

    Everyone likes to argue about what's better, Chrome or Firefox. And while I'll probably use Chrome over Firefox (Although FF4 is starting to look magical when compared with FF3), I think the standard they all have to look up to is Opera.

    Hands down best browser I've ever used.
    hamalnamal
    Reply Vote

    • nobody cares

      @hamalnamal Even the mighty EU couldnt force people to use this browser.

      If it were such a great browser, then how come more people arent using it?
      otaddy
      Reply Vote

      • You're wrong

        @otaddy Actually lots of people does use Opera. The problem is that Opera does not have the same divulgation machine such as Firefox, IE and Chrome. Few days ago i've seen in tv a Google Chrome's propaganda and i just stayed perplexed and thinked: "If Opera could do the same divulgation it would be even more used than Firefox". Opera is a fantastic browser, i use it and i wont change for any other. If someday you try Opera you'll understand about what i'm saying, so stop blaming the browser since you never used it.
        lrbarboza@...
        Reply Vote

      • If it were such a great browser, then how come more people arent using it?

        Things that are bad by this logic:<br>Any non-iPod MP3 player<br>Any Tablet that isn't the iPad<br>Any Mac<br>Internet TV boxes<br>Windows Phone 7, and possibly iPhone (losing to RIM, Symbian, and soon Android)<br>OS X<br>Linux (all consumer desktop versions)<br><br>Shall I continue?
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

        @otaddy by that logic, Internet Explorer must be the greatest browser ever!
        ThePolitik
        Reply Vote

  • competition is good

    If chrome is going to force FF to *finally* speed up their launch time, then happiness, I will move back. Competition is a good thing <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/happy.gif" alt="happy">

    The only thing I dislike about FF4 right now is that you have to hit the down arrow to choose an auto-selection. Come on, guys...chrome is nicer in this regard.
    rogerdpack2
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Robust Firefox 4 prepped for release next month

    If it were such a great browser, then how come more people arent using it?

    By that logic, Internet Explorer must be the greatest browser ever!
    ThePolitik
    Reply Vote
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