There are few web designers today not familiar with the popular web browser, FireFox. Mozilla created this adaptable open source program and the first version was released in late 2004. Since that time, third-party developers have created over two-thousand add-ons. As of early 2008, it is the second most popular browser worldwide, quietly nipping at Internet Explorer’s heels. So just what is it that makes this nifty software a web designer’s best friend?

Primarily it is fast, lean, and extremely powerful. In addition, the vast number of useful add-ons (generally referred to as plug-ins or extensions by other programs) is a designer’s dream. Designers can modify Firefox code to allow it to do exactly what the designer needs it to do. Oh, and did I mention it is a totally free program?

Firefox renders web pages as meant to be. Designers don’t need to use tricks and band-aids to make their pages work. This is in large part because Firefox plays nicely on the web by adhering to the standards created for web pages. The Firefox browser is also quite secure so designers can be confident that their designs are not putting personal or sensitive online information at risk, as does the “other” popular web browser. Continue to read this article »