Last December when Microsoft announced its soon-to-be launched Internet Explorer (IE) 8 passed the Acid2 test, we probably know that this most popular browser will going to be released to the public in this year. Now, the IE blog reported the IE 8 public version will be released within the first half of 2008. However, I think what catch our eyes is an invitation email that posted by ActiveWin, talked about the IE8 Beta 1 is currently focused on the developer community, and assume you’re a developer and have been selected by Microsoft Connect, you can help out reviewing patches and getting them uploaded.

Nevertheless, this beta testing is conducted through invitation, that’s no way one can experience with a certain package and want to triage bugs without the Microsoft invitation email.

I am in a mix feeling when reading Netscape blog on the end of the Netscape browser. According to them, they will not support the Netscape browser after 1st March 2008, initially they decided to discontinue the support after February 1, 2008. Also, noted that after 1st March, we’ll see the Netscape browser users will split into two different group of users, Mozilla (behind Firefox) and Flock as they appear to be benefited by this decision. Meanwhile, Netscape is reminding all its browser lovers to make a switch to Firefox or Flock, or continue to use Netscape’s latest version, i.e. Navigator 9.0.0.6 until 1st March.

There is a new add-on called PDF Download that was just released in the Firefox recommended add-ons page. What’s great you can find about this add-on is the control mechanism of this software; it allowed users to decide how they want to deal with the PDF files in Firefox browser. In their own words, this add-on enable:

- Stop PDF files crashing your browser.
- Stop PDF files taking forever to open.
- Make PDF files download like other files in Firefox.

After you download it, click on any PDF file when you use Firefox in surfing the Web, there will be a dialog box prompted you on a variety of choices on what you would like to do with the file: Download it, Open PDF, View as HTML, Bypass PDF Download, or Cancel the action.

Download and enjoy.

AOL has announced that they won’t provide any support on Netscape browser after February 1, 2008. In matter of fact, the shrinking of user base with the stiff competition likely put the end of a browser’s era. However, the Internet portal of Netscape will always open to serve the other needs of their users, but not that surprise, they recommended their existing users to switch to Firefox.

Indeed, people nowadays no longer speculate on the next generation of Netscape browser. What’s on their mind is how powerful the Firefox 3.0 when it ready to be released to the market. For existing Netscape browser users, a switch to Firefox is a wise move as Mozilla has provided more support on its browser through shorter release cycles.

On Mozilla Labs, they’ve just released the Personas for Firefox version 0.91, a lightweight extension that helps a Firefox user to change the theme, skin or fur coat of her Firefox browser. According to Mozilla, it is a prototype that builds upon the ideas that:

- themes today are too hard to find, install and use,
- graphic designers should be able to style the browser without having to code,
- browsers can be more than just desktop software, they can include online components,
- people just want their computer to be a little more fun and personal.

Once a user installed this extension, just look for the little Fox mask in the lower-left corner of the browser, click on it, and it shows several themes ranging from Popular, Recent, to All. A user has the options of selecting the theme that she like and change from time to time without the need to reload her Firefox browser. Most users that choose to use Firefox browser are due to the flexibility of install the Add-ons, with the introduction of Personas for Firefox, it has made the Internet surfing by using Firefox “a lot more enjoyable”.