Last week I was trying to fill out and submit some important documents using Internet resources. OK, OK, it was an application for Social Security. Can we just get past that? Thank you. Much to my astonishment and irritation I discovered that my application could only be accepted electronically if I was using a Windows-based machine.

I am the first to point out that I don't have any programming knowledge, but I do make Web pages and understand HTML so this doesn't make any sense to me. It seems that as long as I have a good browser it should not make any difference what operating system I am using. According to my son this problem is the result of "sloppy coding." (Pause here for an editorial comment – if the federal government has as much trouble retaining good programmers as does our Texas state government then I am not surprised that such a problem exists. In Austin, where I live and work for the state, the private industry world pays programmers at least twice as much as does our state system. Since we have to use Windows based computers we have dozens of positions for tech support positions and at any given moment a good number of them are vacant.)

To solve this problem my son said I should download and use Mozilla. To which I wittily replied, "What's a Mozilla?"

Mozilla 1.1b

Turns out Mozilla is a new web browser. The 1.1b version was released July 22nd. It functions just like Microsoft Explorer or Netscape, but with some added features; and like them, is a free product. My son said it has been in development about 4 years. There are versions available for Windows 9.8, Mac OS 8 and 9, Mac OS X, and Linux. The creators are very careful to state that in it's current versions it is a beta. Much of what is important about this product is of interest only to programmers. However, it offers some unique features that are helpful to any end user including the ability to fill out the Internet forms using my iMac.

The designer's Web page defines Mozilla 1.1b in the following manner.

A full-fledged browser suite based on the latest Internet standards as well as a cross-platform toolkit, Mozilla 1.0 is targeted at the developer community and enables the creation of Internet-based applications. It was developed in an open source environment and built by harnessing the creative powers of thousands of programmers on the Internet, incorporating their best enhancements.

The Mozilla application suite is a sophisticated set of Internet client software that integrates a web browser, an e-mail program and news reader, and chat client.

The web site also claims that the application is designed to work consistently across many operating systems, thus my attempt to complete the Social Security application from my iMac. Dadgum if it didn't work like a charm. After I got that little chore taken care of I decided to actually check out all the options available in this application.

Tabbed browsing. This option allows the user to switch between pages without having to switch windows. For example, if I have a window open in Explorer and am working to list something on eBay and I need to go to a previous listing to see what category I used, I have to go into the File pull-down menu and select Open a New Window to keep from losing what I am working on. If I am doing the same task while in Mozilla all I have to do is click on Command-T and it opens a new tab. I enter the URL of the new page I want and it appears. To move back and forth between the two (or more) windows I need to use I just place the cursor on the tab I want and click. There are other options noted on the Mozilla web page, including the option to save a window of tabs as a group bookmark.

Bookmark Keywords I believe this feature is unique to Mozilla. If I am wrong I'm sure someone will set me straight. With this activated Keywords are custom shortcuts to bookmarks. To set a keyword, choose Bookmarks from the toolbar of Mozilla (not the toolbar at the top of the screen). Then select Manage Bookmarks. A window will open that lists your bookmarks. Select the bookmark you want to set a keyword for by clicking on it once to highlight it. Click ‘Properties’ and enter your keyword for that bookmark. You will now be able to go to that address by entering its keyword in the address bar.

User Customizability: The user can set a number of custom options, such as customize the look and feel of Mozilla by choosing Preferences from the Mozilla pull-down menu and making choices.

Chat: The application offers a built-in chat option for those who enjoy chatting on-line. To check it out, choose IRC Chat from the Windows pull-down menu from the tool bar at the top of the screen. The application will walk you through the steps necessary to activate this option.

Multiple Platform Support: This option means you can use Mozilla on just about any Mac Operating System. Support questions and answers are available at http://mozilla.org/start/1.0/faq/

Keyboard Shortcuts: Users who prefer to use a keyboard instead of a mouse can find a number of keyboard shortcuts at http://www.mozilla.org/docs/end-user/moz_shortcuts.html. Both a spell checker and a calendar function are in development.

One downside. Mozilla.org states that they do not have the resources to offer end-user support.

The Web site cautions that users should never install a new version of Mozilla without first uninstalling any existing versions. Users are also cautioned to remove any existing Mozilla plug-ins from the application folder before uninstalling. They suggest saving your plug-ins folder . Keeping the plug-in folder allows you to retain your existing profile and preferences.

I think it is well worth your time to check out this new platform to see if the features it offers meet your needs.