Today I downloaded the latest Release Candidate (beta) of Firefox. RC2 was available for a while but has been pulled for now, probably due to a major bug. Note that beta releases are only for experienced users.

As is common with beta testing you may have to put up with a few bugs and other problems. The bad news is apparently all extensions don't work with Firefox 2, although my Google toolbar works just fine and that is about the only extension I use. The good news is that they will be disabled or not installed which will keep you out of trouble until new releases or the extensions are updated. Here are some of the new features as listed on the Mozilla site:

• Built in Phishing Protection.
  
• Search suggestions now appear with search history in the search box for Google, Yahoo! and Answers.com
  
• Changes to tabbed browsing behavior
  
• Ability to re-open accidentally closed tabs
  
• Better support for previewing and subscribing to web feeds
  
• Inline spell checking in text boxes
  
• Search plugin manager for removing and re-ordering search engines
  
• New microsummaries feature for bookmarks
  
• Automatic restoration of your browsing session if there is a crash
  
• New combined and improved Add-Ons manager for extensions and themes
  
• New Windows installer based on Nullsoft Scriptable Install System
  
• Support for JavaScript 1.7
  
• Support for client-side session and persistent storage
  
• Extended search plugin format
  
• Updates to the extension system to provide enhanced security and to allow for easier localization of extensions
  
• Support for SVG text using svg:textPath

The tabbed browsing is much improved pretty much identical to Internet Explorer 7 tabs. I have been using IE7 too with Windows Vista, another beta which is also in beta RC1. I posted my initial thoughts on Windows Vista a week ago in a post here and will post more on it after I have played with it for a few more days.

If you get the irritating error has occurred and "Firefox must close," it is nice to have the option to reopen after a crash, or inadvertent close with the last pages and tabs that you had opened. Even continue with an interrupted download.

Another problem you might notice that was also present in older versions of Firefox is your screen may bounce on some if not many web pages. I didn't run into the problem when I was using XP but it appeared when I upgraded my OS to Windows Vista. However after searching for a fix it seems that some XP users experience it too. This problem is easily cured though in either of two ways. Either goto [View][Toolbars] and uncheck "Bookmarks Toolbar," or if you want to use this toolbar just add any URL to the empty Bookmarks Toolbar folder. The bounce is only present when this folder is empty. This folder is separate from the rest of your bookmarks and they are displayed under your navigation toolbar. It is also a folder inherent in Firefox and not brought in with imported bookmarks.

The feature that I like the most though is the auto spell checker. Just like many word processors it will underline words that are spelled wrong as you type them, or if they are just not recognized. However the dictionary must be a little short on content as I have had a few simple words underlined. I haven't checked to see if they can be user added yet.

If you want to test drive Firefox 2 you can find the latest at Firefox 2 Release Candidate builds download page.

Ready for Microsofts newest operating system "Windows Vista" which is soon be released? Last report I head is January for mass marketing, but a few copies will probably hit the bigger stores before Christmas. If you like tinkering with your system and have a little computer savy you just might want to give it a free test drive with their evaluation version (expires and stops working on June 1, 2007).

The last couple of days I have spent working with Windows Vista (the pre-release evaluation version). It took most of the first 24 hours just to download the DVD image file. Yes it's on a DVD instead of a CD, because the size is around 2.7 gigabytes for the 32bit version.

If you think that's bad, the day before I spent 26 hours downloading the 64 bit version that only replaces XP Professional. The XP home Edition—which I have—being a 32 bit OS needs the corresponding 32 bit version of Vista unless you want to reformat and install a new clean copy. Also the file system needs to be converted from FAT32 to NTFS which isn't destructive so that's fine.

Install didn't go so well. Every attempt ended in one error or another that caused either a system stop or reboot. Neither case would let the install finish of course. In Frustration I backed up what I could of the important XP stuff onto a data DVD and took the down-and-dirty easy way out. Yep of course I reformatted and did a clean instll. I should have done that with the 64 bit install while I had it.

With the exception of my Winfast PC-TV card everything works just fine, and I didn't even have to dig out my hardware driver CDs. The TV card software (which I miss dearly for recording short clips for YouTube) stops in the middle of install with the message "Not supported - vista_RC1." A call to Leadtek, the manufacture, got me a brush off saying that the card—while still being sold—probably won't be updated for Windows Vista because the card is a couple years old now. He suggested I buy a new card after the new Windows market release. I don't think so bub, not if I can find a way around the glitch, and if not I still won't buy their brand again. Oh and to add insult to injury, even though Leadtek hotline balks, Windows Vista acknowledges the TV hardware card, installs all drivers for it and says it is compatible. I only lack the non-installable viewing and capture software.

For now I will just say that it seems quite stable which is probably why it's called RC1 (Release Candidate 1) instead of upping the beta version number. When I have had a chance to test drive it more than just a quick turn around the block I will post more on some of the new gadgets and features time permitting. So far I have not got much past Internet Explorer 7 which seems a lot like FireFox with a suckier favorites display. The tabs are a welcome addition though.

If you are inclinded to mess with your operating system you can sign up for the pre-release version of Windows Vista here. Or you can order a copy on DVD for just $3, but being cheap (not to mention poor) I opted for the free download. The 32bit version is about 2.7 gigabytes and the 64bit about 4.3 gigabytes or 15-25 hours downloading depending on the version and your broadband. While it's free there is a catch of course, it will cease to operate on June 1st 2007. After that you will have to buy the released version or reinstall your old OS.

There is a Windows Vista RC 1 software compatibility list here. None of the older 16 bit software will run on either of the new Vista versions.

Steve Irwin, the unconventional internationally acclaimed wildlife documentary host has died. Although emergency officials could not immediately confirm the cause, it was reported by Sky Television that Steve had been killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest.

The "Crocodile Hunter" label is probably a bit misleading to anyone who hasn't watched Steve's show a few times. Although he would hunt and trap various animal species, it was almost always for relocation. He and his and his wife, Terri, shared the philosophy of coexistence with wildlife.

Such a terrible shame; my heart goes out to his wife Terri.