I admit it – I’m not a big fan of upgrading. I used Windows 98 far longer than most, I regularly use a compiler I bought in 1999, and I make my notes on a program called Ecco (with a copyright of 1997)!

There’s a good reason for this – if a system works, adjusting it is time and effort. I’ve found this with software AND hardware. I hate upgrading a computer, since the down time in updating is always longer than I’d like. And I’m not alone; look at the software many businesses run and you understand the actual dollar value of upgrading – businesses don’t do it unless they can justify the cost (a problem so far with Vista and Win7).

So I found myself surprised to be running FireFox 6 almost right out of the starting gate. Maybe not, though; the fact is, my business is the Internet and WordPress, so I need the latest tools. My operating system and personal tools – who cares? – but when it comes to making money, the latest is necessary.

Oh, and cool – REALLY cool.

For example, Firefox has this neat feature – you can click on just about anything with the middle button (the scroll wheel of your mouse acting as a button), and it will open the link in a new tab. Old hat to Firefox users of course, but here’s the great part of v6 – you can do it with the back button, URL goto/refresh button, and search results button now as well! For instance:

• Typed in a URL and really you still want the current webpage? Don’t hit Enter then, do a middle button click on the green arrow on the URL and it opens up in its own tab, keeping the current page.
• Accidentally pressed Enter and now want to go back? Then click on the Back button with the middle mouse button to open it on a new tab.
• Same with a search – type your search text, use the middle button, and open the search engine in a brand new web page.

That second item is one I find really useful – the number of times I’ll follow a link on a web page, and then wish I had kept the old page open, is endless. Now, I can undo the decision easy enough with the middle-button Back button combo, and I get the old page and new side by side. It’s easier to open the new page with a middle button click of course, but the new option is great for when foresight loses to hindsight.

That’s just one fun feature – so if you’re debating the update, give it a shot. Take it from someone who hates upgrading – it’s less painful than expected and the extras will make it difficult to go back!