Two major Web browsers were released this month: Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 and Mozilla’s Firefox 4. Microsoft launched IE9 March 14 and Mozilla launched Firefox 4 March 22.
** Microsoft focused on three core foundations for its browser: speed, a clean look and security. They incorporated a new JavaScript engine and concentrated on full hardware acceleration.
Other features include tracking protection, ActiveX Filtering, Hang Recovery, Compatibility View, Group Policy support and automatic updates.
Internet Explorer 9 requires a system running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher, Windows Server 2008 SP2 or higher or Windows 7. The system must also have at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, a CDROM drive, 800x600 SVGA resolution with 256 colors, a modem or Internet connection and a mouse.
Regarding free hard drive space, a Vista or Windows 7 PC must have at least 70-120MB and Windows Server 2008 must have at least 150-200MB free.
Learn more about Internet Explorer 9 at www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/internetexplorer/. The site features video, release notes, stories and images.
** Mozilla brings to the Web browser arena personalization, speed and security. They understand that not everyone has the same tastes, that speed is important and privacy is a must.
They offer a new interface with Personas, add-ons, and plugins for customization. They upgraded DOM and Style Resolution for faster page loads and improved their JavaScript engine called JägerMonkey for better Web application speed.
Among the many security features included in Firefox 4 are private browsing, anti-phishing and anti-malware features, secure software installation and anti-virus integration. There are also parental controls, a plugin check and customization for security settings.
Minimum system requirements to install Firefox 4: Windows PC users need Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista or Windows 7; a Pentium 4 processor with SSE2 support; 512MB RAM and 200MB free hard drive space. Mac users need an Intel-based processor running Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6, 512MB RAM, and 200MB free hard drive space. Linux users need to have at least the following libraries or packages: GTK+ 2.10; GLib 2.12; Pango 1.14; X.Org 1.0; and libstdc++ 4.3.
Learn more about Firefox 4 at www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/.
Net buzzz
** Facebook and Major League Baseball have teamed up to provide free pre-season games live until the end of spring training. Baseball fans can watch MLB.TV’s free “Game of the Day” live on Facebook’s MLB page at www.facebook.com/mlb.
To do so, a baseball fan must have a Facebook account and click on the Like button on Facebook’s MLB page. The caveat is that the game is viewed within a small box. For full screen viewing, click on the image and then sign up for a free MLB account.
** According to BusinessWeek, Google has delayed access to its Honeycomb Android OS to open source developers. The move was said to have been made to deter small smartphone manufacturers and others since the OS was not designed for use on phones. Read more at www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2011/tc20110324_269784.htm.
Linux update
MacPup 520, based on Puppy Linux 5.2 Lucid with the Enlightenment 17 window manager has been released. Macpup 520 features all the applications of Lucid Puppy in addition to Firefox 4.0rc1.
Visit the official Web site at http://macpup.org for more details, screenshots and a YouTube video walk-through of MacPup 520 by sneekylinux.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
