TheIdeaMan

Firefox 1.5 - Today's the day!

For all you Firefox user's out there:
Mozilla's Firefox 1.5 release imminent. In this case, "imminent" means tonight (afternoon Pacific Time).

This release holds worlds of promise for the future of web technology. Native support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) will allow web site authors to use the SVG language to display two dimentional drawings (logos, maps). To the average user that may seem pointless since raster/bitmap formats can already display those kind of things fine. The advantage SVG has over a GIF or a JPEG image is that it can have other XML embedded in it. Imagine a map that actually has each address stored "under the hood" or an organizational flow chart that also carries the contact info for each employee. Those are some of the basic things that could be done with SVG. It's also highly scriptable (via JavaScript) and in many ways is seen as a possible replacement for Flash.

In addition to that wonderful piece of technology the CSS compatibility with the latest standards has improved, JavaScript now sports a 1.6 version number (and all the new features that comes with it), and the browsers a good bit faster when going backwards and forwards between places you've already been.

I've been using Firefox 1.5 since the Deer Park Alpha 1 stage, and have been pleased ever since.

I hope you'll all take the time to upgrade. I think it'll be well worth your time.