Tabs and toolbar search top the list of must-have features in Firefox that put the catch-up ball finally back in Microsoft's court.
by A. Russell Jones, Executive Editor
June 3, 2003
or the past several years, browser development for Windows has been more or less stalled. Sure, there have been under-the-hood improvements; but the basic browsing feature set has remained nearly identical across browser versions since Microsoft released IE 4. That was when, if you remember, IE's DHTML capabilities so completely eclipsed those available in Netscape's browser that people flocked to IE in droves.
The loss of clientele and revenue drove Netscape to try an open-source model based on the "Gecko" layout engine, under the Mozilla project. Because the project could use very little of the code from the original Netscape browser (because it didn't use Gecko), Mozilla had a long road to travel to build a product that would compete with IE. Progress has been slow but steady over the past few years. Last year's Mozilla browser (the 1.2 version) was a little buggy, but clearly showed that Mozilla was rapidly catching up with IE.
It's quick, easy and you get access to all the articles on DevX.
This registration/login is to allow you to read articles on devx.com. Already a member?
To become a member of DevX.com create your Member Profile by completing the form below. Membership is free!
or the past several years, browser development for Windows has been more or less stalled. Sure, there have been under-the-hood improvements; but the basic browsing feature set has remained nearly identical across browser versions since Microsoft released IE 4. That was when, if you remember, IE's DHTML capabilities so completely eclipsed those available in Netscape's browser that people flocked to IE in droves.
