Mozilla has been hailed for creating a browser that actually works, a browser that not only has good security by blocks pop-ups and is just simple to use. Just a few days ago Mozilla has continued this tradition by releasing Firefox version 1.5.

At first glance the new version of Firefox looks like nothing new, but when you dig a little deeper a lot of new features are present. Most aid in browsing the internet and using this application even easier than before.

The first feature that you'll find useful is the ability to switch the order in which the tabs are placed. All you have to do is hold that tab down and drag it to where you want. This comes in handy when you have a mass amount of tabs open and you'd like to rearrange them for easier browsing.

Next is the search bar. The search bar its self isn't new, but there is a built in feature that makes it easier to use. When you click on the Google logo in the search bar a drop down list appears (that's been there) when you click at the very bottom "Add More Engines…" it'll take you to a "Firefox Add-ons" site. Here you can add more searches to the bar. The nice thing now is that when you click to add a new search engine it will automatically be added to the list no need to restart the browser, or even wait.

The next new feature is the options window; it offers a much larger variety of options than in previous versions. With the new layout you have more control over content, downloads, and the look and feel of the browser.

The final new feature we'd like to point out is just some small features that you might not have noticed. The RSS button is now located in the address bar, in the "Tools" menu there is a clear all private data option, and there is a new feature that lets you bookmark all the tabs open at once.

Now for most users Firefox might seem like a plain browser, which is until you start digging into the extensions that is has to offer. Here is a list of our favorite Firefox extensions.

Forecast Fox

This is probably one of the most popular extenstions for Firefox and rightfully so. All you have to do is enter your zip code and it will add a small message box in the bottom bar that will update you on current weather conditions, upcoming conditions, and severe weather alerts. It really comes in handy when you just have to know the weather.

IE Tab

The one thing that people complain about with Firefox is that you can't view websites that are meant to be viewed in Internet Explorer. Well worry no more! IE Tab will let you open any link in Firefox as if it were being view in Internet Explorer. It comes in handy when visiting websites like Windows Update or websites that require Internet Explorer.

FireFTP

FireFTP is a great program for people that access FTP severs a lot but don't like to open another program to do so. FireFTP is a built in FTP program for Firefox. It'll let you do pretty much everything any other FTP program would allow you to do and it's much easier to access than another program. All you have to do, once installed, is go to the Tools menu and select "FireFTP", within a second it's already up and ready to use.

Download Status Bar

I've talked to a few people that really don't like the pop up download manager for Firefox. Well this extension is an easy fix. Download Status Bar will place the download manager in your status bar, giving you a small little box with the download and how far along it is. It's a great tool for people that download things a lot and just can't stand the built in download manager.

DownThemAll

DownThemAll lets you download all the files filtered by a webpage, so if there are several files on the website you want to download no more tedious click after click. Not only does it allow you to do that, but it also increases download times by up to 600%. It's great for folks that download multiple large files and don't have time to sit around and wait.

Firefox is still an expanding program, it's going to have it's up's and down's. However right now they seem to be getting it right. The new version 1.5 is a great compliment to the previous version and will make any Firefox user happy. My advice is to go download it, and get rid of Internet Explorer.

Jacob Bodnar is the senior writer and web master for http://www.p2btech.com Aside from writing technology articles he also writes sports articles for NBA, NFL, and College Sports.

P2btech was started in 2003 to help people with technology problems. Since then we have split into two site, technology and sports. We're your one stop shop for both tech and sports.