Firefox 3, the Guinness Book of Records, and mobile phones

David M Williams
Sunday, 15 June 2008 09:35

Opinion and Analysis

Firefox 3 is coming! It’s been years in the coming and computers users worldwide are waiting with baited breath. Here’s what’s new, how YOU can help get Firefox into the Guinness book of records plus news about an exciting development – Firefox for mobile phones!

Firstly, Firefox 3 is imminent. Although beta versions have surfaced – and even considered stable enough for inclusion in Ubuntu’s “long term support” 8.04 release – it really has been several years since the last major revision was published. Some are still sceptical we’ll actually see it but Mozilla are confident to set the naysayers right. In fact, this coming June 17th is marked as Firefox 3 download day. Yes, on June 17 you’ll be able to download a shiny new Firefox 3. It doesn’t matter if you are a Linux, Windows or Mac user; there’s a build of Firefox 3 for you.

Ok, let me qualify that; June 17 is designated download day but Mozilla are still playing safe by requesting you sign up to be notified when the software is actually out the door. There is still a chance this date might slip.

Still, Mozilla do seem to be putting pressure on their developers to wrap up: upping the ante, Mozilla are aiming for a Guinness world record for the most software downloads of a single product within 24 hours.

This 24 hours isn’t the 24-hour period covering June 17th from midnight to midnight but the 24 hours immediately following the release of the software so you needn’t fear converting timezones and adding and minusing GMT hours in your head – just make sure you keep checking the Firefox web site, and here too – as soon as I get word you can download it I’ll put up a post.

You can find out a lot more information at SpreadFirefox.com including the fine points on how Guinness will verify the count, whether they will publish it in print and just when it will be known if a record has been made as well as a privacy statement regarding your e-mail address should you choose to subscribe for notifications.

Now, while it may be true that you can tell an extroverted geek because they’re staring at your shoes while they speak, you can’t deny everyone likes a party. In fact, it’s a year of parties as far as Firefox is concerned. All over the world – well, almost, what’s the go with the dearth of Australian events? – there are Firefox 3 launch parties and download day download-fests. Get together, have some fun, eat cake, get drunk, download Firefox. It’s not June 17 that’s special; it’s ten years this year since the first source code release of Firefox ever – which means just one thing; a year of anniversary parties too.

If you’re not known for being the strongest person in the world, or for having run the longest distance in the shortest time, click the banner below to join in the setting of a world record.



Ok! So, Firefox 3 is coming. What’s new? And keep reading to find out how it’s coming to a mobile phone near you.

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