Features
There are many reasons for using Mozilla Firebird instead of other browsers on the market. Here is a list of the most important ones.
Tabbed Browsing - Makes surfing the web faster
Browser window with three tabs opened.
Tabbed browsing changes the way you use the Internet by allowing you to open links on a page in background tabs and then read them when you're ready. Tabbed Browsing makes it much easier to keep track of several pages or sites at once by letting you view them within a single browser window. It's easy to navigate between tabs - just click on a tab to view the page. Tabs load in the background so you can browse the web faster - and stay organized. To use Tabbed Browsing, hold down Ctrl while clicking on a web link, or click with the middle mouse button.
"Open in Tabs" opens contents of Bookmarks Folder in Tabs.
Tabbed browsing makes the web faster and more efficient. You can concentrate on reading a page without the confusion of having to switch between windows. While you're reading a page, links you have opened in background tabs are loading so when you're ready to read them, they've already finished loading and you don't need to wait.
While it seems like a simple idea, Tabbed Browsing is a revolutionary enhancement to web browsing. Mozilla Firebird brings you the simplest, most intuitive version of Tabbed Browsing you will find today.
Pop-Up Blocking
This icon shows that Mozilla Firebird has prevented a popups from opening.
No more annoying pop-up advertisement! Mozilla Firebird effectively blocks unrequested pop-up windows while still displaying the ones you actually want to see. The pop-up blocking and simple whitelist mechanism is easy to use.
There are some sites that make use of popup windows in a good way. When Mozilla Firebird blocks a popup window, you'll see an icon in the status bar. Click on this icon to show a list of sites that Mozilla Firebird stopped and then just unblock a popup window if you need.
Customizable Toolbars
Customize the toolbars just the way you want them.
The toolbars are completely customizable, allowing you to add and remove items (buttons, search field, bookmarks, etc.) to the toolbars as well as create new toolbars.
You can even move all toolbar items to one single bar, allowing you to save screenspace for the web pages you're visiting. In addition, you can choose between small or large icons, icons with text or just text buttons. Just select View > Toolbars > Customize... and arrange Mozilla Firebird the way you want it.
Extension Management
Mozilla Firebird can be easliy extended.
Extensions are small programs (or plug-ins) that add new functionality to Mozilla Firebird. It can be anything from a toolbar button to a completely new feature, such as mouse gestures. The great thing about extensions is that they allow Mozilla Firebird to stay small and unbloated. Anyone who requires more features can download the appropriate extension. With basic knowledge of industry standards such as XML, CSS and JavaScript, you can even create your own extensions.
Better Search Features
Mozilla Firebird helps you fill out web forms and remembers what you've searched for.
One of the most common things to do on the web is searching. This was something the Mozilla Firebird developers realized when designing the browser and the result is a the best search features available in a browser today.
Right on the toolbar, there's a Search bar making web searches even more accessible and convenient. Just hit Ctrl+K or click on the search field, enter some things to search for and press Enter. It supports "Find in this Page", Google and dmoz.org but can easily be extended to hundreds of other search engines with the click of a link at mycroft.mozdev.org.
The Auto-Complete mechanism makes you more effective by remembering things you searched for and addresses you've visited. It even works for online web forms! Just start typing and it will provide you with good guesses right away.
Fast and Convenient Sidebar
The sidebar offers many conveniences not seen in other browsers.
With the Sidebar offered in Mozilla Firebird, you have access to lots of useful things. By using the Bookmarks Sidebar, you can access and easily organize your bookmarks with your mouse. Just drag a bookmark to a new location and the change will be reflected in the Bookmarks menu as well. Right-click a bookmark to access even more features.
The Downloads Sidebar provides easy access
to both the files you are currently downloading as well as a list of recent
downloads. Right-click a downloaded file and select Show
and Mozilla
Firebird will take you to the folder where you downloaded the file. Double-click
the file to launch it directly.
By using the History Sidebar, you can easily
navigate back to sites and pages you have previously visited. The links
are sorted by the day they were visited which gives you a good overview
of them. Searching for a specific page? Just enter some words in the Find:
field and press Enter!
Personalize with Themes
With themes, you can change the look and feel in Mozilla Firebird. A theme can change anything from just the toolbar buttons to the whole browser appearance. You can download and install themes with just a few clicks.
This document includes major groundwork by Ben Goodger and Asa Dotzler but has been edited and rephrased to fit in better within the context of this site.
