Buzz Meter: Mozilla Firefox 3

Since Tuesday’s release of the much anticipated Mozilla Firefox 3, outbreaks of information, including reviews, have flooded the blogosphere. Posts released by Mozilla team members prior to the launch set expectations for the upgraded web browser and provided users with a sneak peak on the features for the new title holder of the Guinness Book of World Record for the Most Software Downloaded in 24 hours.

The browser has over ten categories highlighting a substantial amount of features including instant web site ID, full zoom, platform manager and a smart location bar. Firefox 3 offers some of the same tools version 2.0 does – here is a mixed list of the new and old tools for the social media savvy (you’re welcome to add more):

• Feed Reader – one stop shop feed for all your news updates
• Smart Keywords – a simple and quick way to search web sites through the Location bar
• Bookmarks:
  • One-Click Bookmarking – just click on the white star icon in the address bar and once it turns gold, that page is bookmarked
  • Smart Bookmark Folders – a display of your most visited sites
• Library & Tags – the Library an organizational tool that archives all of the websites you visited, including your books; the Tags add specific labels to certain sites for easier browsing
• Add-ons that include:
  • Twitterfox 1.5.5.4 – an extension of Twitter for the Firefox browser that updates tweets
  • Scribefire 2.2.7 – although compatible with Firefox 2, version 3.0 fixed various kinks for this blog editor that integrates with Firefox and lets you conveniently post to your blog
  • WebMynd 0.6.1 – the Firefox 3 version of this “DVR for the Web” is compatible with Del.icio.us bookmarks for an even better way to record your visually browsed history.

  In addition to the craze surrounding the launch, Flock – known as the social web browser – announced that version 2.0 was built to launch on the Firefox 3 platform. Newcomer Feedly, a self-proclaimed RSS feed aggregator and competitor of iGoogle, was also developed for Firefox 3 compatibility.

  

  Buzz Meter Ranking: 4 out of 4 Buzz Bees
  
  Positive: The actual downloading of Firefox was quick and simple. The browser’s list of extensive features provides users with ease and is proof of the improvements Mozilla made. The location bar is deemed smart because it now gives full details to for sites visited. The One-Click Bookmarking, Library and Tags are one-ups for organizing. The list just goes on and on.
  Negative: The large number of new features and add-ons could also be seen as a downfall since it’s hard to fully grasp the full potential of the browser. After downloading, you would have to re-download all of your plug-ins and have everything transferred. Since Firefox 3 was just released and apparently not in beta mode, there still may be kinks to be discovered.
  Conclusion: Despite the delays that occurred on the big ‘Download Day’ and even some dismay about the browser’s update, Mozilla has definitely stepped up to the plate and came home with this version. I have to admit that the ‘awesome bar’ is by far one of my favorites! But I’m sure I’ll add more to my favorites list since it’s only been two days since the launch. I would definitely have to play with Firefox 3 and figure out if I can find some hidden settings, tips or tricks or even easter eggs. Overall, I would recommend the updated browser. I just wonder if businesses will be able to use this anytime soon, or if Internet Explorer or any other browser for that matter will be able to come off the bench and hit a homerun like Firefox 3 did.