Last updated: 26 September 2009
Web browsing - Firefox

It goes without saying that to view the Web you need a web browser! It is your "window on the web world". Having a good online experience is essential in order to manage your own personal productivity and learning; so it goes without saying you need a good browser.

Microsoft Windows/Vista comes with Internet Explorer automatically installed, and Macs come with Safari. However, you should make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the browser, as updates bring new features and functionality. But you might consider installing a different browser.

---

---

About Firefox

Firefox is a very popular, free, open source browser (over 1,000.000,000 downloads).  One of the reasons for its popularity is the thousands of add-ons available for it which increases its functionality.

It is quite possible to have a number of different browsers running on your computer, so even if you already use a browser on your computer, you can install Firefox as well. If you would like to try it out, use the instructions below.

---

Download Firefox 3.5

You can download Firefox here and install it on your computer:

• Firefox 3

---

Take a tour of its functionality

There are different levels - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

• Firefox Tips and Tricks.

---

Import your bookmarks

You can import your bookmarks from Internet Explorer (or another browser) into Firefox.  Don't worry they will still stay in the original browser too! Need some help? Here's how:

• Import Bookmarks

---

---

Firefox extensions

Take a look at the thousands of add-ons that can enhance its functionality in many different ways. You might find a couple of extensions that can help with your own productivity.

• Here are the recommended add-ons
• Here you can browse all the add-ons.

Here are some of the extensions that learning professionals think are useful:

• Zotero - a research tool
• ScribeFire - a desktop blogging tool
• Web Developer Toolbar - a web development tool
• Firebug - a debugging tool

In further Tutorials we will highlight some other useful Firefox extensions.
 

---

Find out more about Firefox

Firefox is the most popular browser in our Top 100 Tools for Learning. You can read the comments from those who selected it here:

• Top 100 Tools for Learning : Firefox

---

---

Further Reading: Firefox reading list
Directory Listing: Browsers, Extensions, Toolbars and Players