The new version of the Firefox web browser has been released today.

Firefox 2.0 contains 12 major enhancements, says its developers, including a built-in spelling checker. There are also cosmetic changes to the browser, which is produced by volunteers on an open-source basis.

That means that the program code can be taken by anybody and modified, and that anyone can become involved in the creation and upgrading of the browser - although modified versions can't use the Firefox name or logo, which is trademarked. The volunteer programmers are releasing the new versions in 38 local editions simultaneously.

Although the new edition was due to be released tonight, it has been made available early on the internet. Download Firefox 2 here.

Firefox claims that its browser is used by up to one in six internet users, with some using the Opera browser and the rest using Internet Explorer.

The latest edition includes a 'session restore' feature that remembers the pages the user had open when the program was shut down and reopens them the next time. It also contains an easier way to search different search engines and to add RSS news feeds.

See also:
Firefox 2 review
An excellent browser, and while lacking some features compared to Opera, makes up for this with extensions and ease of use