An open source Web browser and toolkit from the Mozilla Foundation (www.mozilla.org). Mozilla serves as a reference platform for standards compliance and quality control. Mozilla-based products for Windows, Mac and Linux are the Mozilla and SeaMonkey suites (browser, e-mail, newsgroups and HTML editor), Firefox browser and Thunderbird e-mail client. The Camino browser is Mac only.
Over the years, Mozilla received contributions from around the world, and both Netscape and third parties have used the code for their own purposes. Version 1.0 of the Mozilla browser was released in 2002. Gecko is the name of the rendering engine that began its development at Netscape in 1997, but was released as open source. Gecko was formerly called Raptor and NGLayout (Next Gen Layout).
What's a Mozilla?
Mozilla was originally the code name for the Netscape Navigator Web browser and Netscape's first alligator-like mascot. Mozilla stood for "Mosaic Killer," because Netscape wanted to reign supreme, which it did for a while (see Mosaic).
In 1998, the source code of the entire Netscape Communicator package was made available to developers, and Mozilla.org was created to act as a clearing house for contributions. In 2003, with the help of the Netscape division of AOL, it was turned into the Mozilla Foundation to provide support for open source projects. See Firefox, Netscape and Netscape Communicator.
Over the years, Mozilla received contributions from around the world, and both Netscape and third parties have used the code for their own purposes. Version 1.0 of the Mozilla browser was released in 2002. Gecko is the name of the rendering engine that began its development at Netscape in 1997, but was released as open source. Gecko was formerly called Raptor and NGLayout (Next Gen Layout).
What's a Mozilla?
Mozilla was originally the code name for the Netscape Navigator Web browser and Netscape's first alligator-like mascot. Mozilla stood for "Mosaic Killer," because Netscape wanted to reign supreme, which it did for a while (see Mosaic).
In 1998, the source code of the entire Netscape Communicator package was made available to developers, and Mozilla.org was created to act as a clearing house for contributions. In 2003, with the help of the Netscape division of AOL, it was turned into the Mozilla Foundation to provide support for open source projects. See Firefox, Netscape and Netscape Communicator.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Firefox hopes to one-up IE with fast graphics
- Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But Mozilla could be one step ahead. Last week, Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But if Mozilla succeeds in its hope, Microsoft could be playing catch-up...
- News items 2009-11-24
- Microsoft isn't the only one developing a hardware-accelerated browser
- Microsoft, with IE 9, isn't the only browser provider planning to harness hardware acceleration. Mozilla is planning to do the same with Firefox. Firefox developers have posted a prototype demonstrating the ability to take advantage of Direct2D and DirectWrite. Google is interested in the possibilities of hardware-accelerating Chrome, as well,...
- Blog posts 2009-11-24
- FlashGot 1.2.0.9 (Windows)
- Enables Mozilla and Firefox to handle single and massive ("all" and "selection") downloads using the most popular external download managers for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and FreeBSD (15 currently supported). FlashGot offers also a Build Gallery functionality which helps to synthetize full media galleries in one page, from serial...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Mozilla: Still too dependent on Google for revenue; Can it diversify?
- well its in Google best interest ...that mozilla is healthy and and kicking .... anyone claiming monopole they point out that they support Mozilla foundation big time ...Google keep its competition alive they should do more invest in ubuntu ... so they...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Mozilla: Still too dependent on Google for revenue; Can it diversify?
- Mozilla reported its 2008 audited financials and the organization behind the Firefox browser delivered consolidated revenue of $78.6 million, up 5 percent from 2007. The worry: Google, now a competitor, is still bankrolling Mozilla. by Larry Dignan
- Blog posts 2009-11-20
- Google makes Chrome OS open source today
- Contrary to rumors, Google did not release a beta version of its much anticipated Chrome operating system today. And nothing is coming anytime soon: the final version is at least a year away, the mega giant web company said. But there was some significant news for the...
- Blog posts 2009-11-19
- Darq Software Transmute 1.65 (Windows)
- Transmute is a bookmark converter that can import and export bookmarks, or favorites, between the latest web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera, Apple Safari, and Chromium in as little as one click.
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Deskzilla 2.0.2 (Mac)
- Deskzilla is a desktop client for Mozilla's Bugzilla bug tracking system. It provides Bugzilla users with an interactive working environment and extra features, serving as a valuable tool for every project participant.
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Microsoft shares a few tidbits on IE9 and (lots) more on Silverlight 4
- Safari? What Safari ? :-)http://www.tgdaily.com/software-features/39495-safari-4-beta-first-browser-to-hit-100-score-in-acid3-testI know, Steve doesn't like Apple but you're supposed to be a journalist? ;-)Google chrome?IE like Microsoft is stumbling around in a new ecosystem in which spending thousands of dollars is not an option.Plus, it locks you into a insecure OS platform with...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Mozilla locks out rogue Firefox add-ons
- Firefox has conquered IEIt is evident that Firefox free has conquered IE, plus the fact the majority of sites work regardless of browser.The days of this old bait & switch from MS are over.But I thought the whole point behind "open source"......was to allow ANYONE to put code in their...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Mozilla locks out rogue Firefox add-ons
- Mozilla has made a significant tweak to this Firefox 3.6 code base to block rogue add-ons from loading in the browser's application components directory. by Ryan Naraine
- Blog posts 2009-11-18
- Where Microsoft is gaining in open source
- Microsoft licenses are now used on 1 in every 40 open source projects. That's more than Mozilla. More than Eclipse. More than even the Lesser GPL. by Dana Blankenhorn
- Blog posts 2009-11-18
- Google-Microsoft rivalry on with ChromeOS launch
- This will usher in an era of intense competition and innovation, as well aslower prices.This will be good for all concerned. Windows users will get lower prices and faster innovation. The Windows users should be Google's biggest fans here.Chorme OS could get 10% or more of the netbook market. That...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Firefox faces browser clone war in China
- Come on ZDNet!!!!Is this really newsworthy????Newsworthy? That's not the point...ZDNet's intent was not to write about anything worthwhile. It's intent was to draw you in and to have you read further in order to get you to visit at least one more page in their web-site.If they had...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Firefox faces browser clone war in China
- The browser war in China is heating up but not quite in a way that resembles the Western markets, as Mozilla's Beijing chief explains. The browser war in China is heating up but not quite in a way that resembles the Western markets, as Mozilla's Beijing chief explains. ...
- News items 2009-11-18
- Mozilla Firefox 3.6 beta 3 (Mac)
- Firefox 3.6 Beta is built on Mozilla's Gecko 1.9.2 web rendering platform, which has been under development for several months and contains many improvements for web developers, Add-on developers and users. This version is also faster and more responsive than previous versions, and has been optimized to run on small...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Real Clear Cookies 3.1.1.2 (Windows)
- Real Clear Cookies, a powerful cookies cleaner, allows you to clear all browser cookies from Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, or wipe cookies from a single website or domain name, all with the click of a button. Real Clear Cookies is much helpful if a website or forum has banned...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- NoScript 1.9.9.15 (Windows)
- NoScript provides extra protection for your Mozilla/Firefox or Flock browser: this extension allows JavaScript and Java execution only for trusted domains of your choice. This whitelist based pre-emptive script blocking approach prevents exploitation of security vulnerabilities with no loss of functionality. You can enable JavaScript/Java execution for sites you trust...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Bugzilla 3.4.4 (Mac)
- Bugzilla is the leading open-source/free software bug tracking system, with high-profile installations at mozilla.org (250,000 entries), Gnome, Red Hat and NASA, among others. It features a comprehensive set of fields, attachment management, inter-bug dependencies, email notification of changes, a powerful query interface, reporting, and web, xml, email and console interfaces....
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Camino 2.0 (Mac)
- The Camino Project has worked to create a browser that is as functional and elegant as the computers it runs on. The Camino web browser is powerful, secure, and ready to meet the needs of all users while remaining simple and elegant in its design. Camino combines the awesome...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
