Pale Moon web browser as an alternative to Firefox
By the Light of the Moon
A new browser with familiar technology: The lean Firefox offshoot Pale Moon is compatible with many cherished Firefox extensions.
Although Firefox is still one of the most popular web browsers, its much shorter release cycles and increasing inertia, even on powerful systems, have dimmed the former star's halo. The new user interface, with a look that is strongly reminiscent of Chrome, has also prompted some users to turn their backs on Firefox.
The alternatives have not, however, been totally convincing: Although Linux has a lot of lean and fast browsers with sophisticated operating concepts, Firefox is the unquestioned leader, primarily because of its many enhancements in terms of data protection and security. Some of the add-ons are available for other browsers, but not all: Using Opera, SeaMonkey, Midori, and the like leaves an uncomfortable feeling.
However, all this is about to change, because a new browser called Pale Moon [1] is ready to launch on Linux. Although it's based on the source code of older versions of Firefox, the developers have definitely cleared away some of the ballast. Thus, Pale Moon not only runs faster than the original but also remains largely compatible with Firefox extensions.
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