Mozilla is the open-source version of Netscape, and it comes complete with an integrated web browser, email program, and web-page editing software.
Firefox utilizes the same web page rendering engine as Mozilla, but does not include an integrated email program or web-page editing software. A separate program called Thunderbird provides functions similar to Mozilla's email program.
While recommendations depend on the usage patterns of client corporations, the Mozilla and Firefox software packages are respectively appropriate in the following situations:
- In a corporate environment with Windows XP or Windows 98 desktops in (more or less) default configurations, where calendaring and note sharing are less important than lowering costs, we would present Firefox and Thunderbird as low cost integrated web browser and email programs. Together with IMAP rather than POP/3 email accounts, this solution can accommodate business travellers with an integrated Webmail package.
- In a corporate environment with both Windows and Linux desktops where calendaring and note sharing are less important than lowering costs, we would recommend Mozilla rather than Firefox and Thunderbird, as Mozilla provides much better email-web integration than Firefox and Thunderbird on Linux, and a consistent email/web program is easier to support than different software on different operating systems.
- In a corporate environment with Windows XP, 2000, NT, and/or 98 desktops where calendaring and note sharing are more important than lowering costs, we would recommend Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office with Outlook included, along with Firefox as an optional web browser. This package provides the best calendaring, note sharing, email sharing and web browsing options for this type of environment.
In the above scenarios, the common thread is that a Mozilla or Firefox web browser is recommended as an alternative to Internet Explorer. Mozilla and Firefox both have the following advantages over Internet Explorer for the corporate environment:
- Customizable configuration - by editing simple XUL files, it is possible to change or restrict the user interface to meet corporate guidelines.
- Inexpensive rollout - installation is scriptable and can be executed remotely on hundreds or thousands of desktops.
- No licensing fees.
- Tabbed browsing provides a better user experience than single browser windows.
- Advanced pop-up blocking can be configured to block the pop-ups that are not desireable (advertisements, usually), while allowing those that are necessary for the functioning of web-based business applications or websites.
- Less susceptable to adware, spyware, and security problems than Internet Explorer.
- Faster javascript and Java execution.
Please note that TCEG provides support for the following software:
