The Firefox browser is looking for allies in its quest to challenge Microsoft"s dominant Internet Explorer and Web users are buzzing about a potential link-up with search company Google.
The Mozilla Foundation"s Firefox software, which officially launches on Nov. 9, has already been downloaded by millions attracted by the promise of innovative features like tabbed browsing -- opening multiple Web sites within a single desktop window -- and fewer attacks by hackers and virus writers. Mozilla, which gives the Firefox software away for free to users and developers, is seeking out content and technology companies to develop their own branded versions of Firefox by adding extra features.
One potential partner floated on numerous Web sites, including the influential news site Slashdot (https://www.slashdot.org), is the search engine giant Google, which is flush with cash from its initial public offering and is rapidly expanding into new businesses "It makes a ton of sense for them to be looking at a browser," Mozilla marketing chief Bart Decrem told Reuters. "It would be a smart thing for Google to do."