[WEB4LIB] Netscape / Mozilla SideBar removal

[Andrew I. Mutch]

I'm afraid that when it comes to Mozilla/Netscape, the task of securing
the browser is going to get worse before it gets better.  Because of the
way the browser interface is constructed, traditional hacks and 3rd party
security products are going to have only limited success.  What is needed
is for the Mozilla developers to build a way in the browser to allow
elements of the interface to be disabled.  The good news is that some of
these methods are referenced in Bugzilla as possible future enhancements.
The bad news is that these are future enhancements that could be a long
way off or things that may never come to fruition.  

In the short term, I'm rooting for projects like K-Meleon, which replace
the Mozilla interface with an interface that is more secure.  I can
lock down K-Meleon tighter than Fort Knox in less than 5 minutes.
But, like Mozilla, K-Meleon is definitely a work in progress with many
issues to be worked out.  I know there has been talk before about
"someone" building an interface for Mozilla that would be suitable for
public use. I'm still waiting to see the results.
:)

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI



On Wed, 15 Aug 2001, Blake Carver wrote:

> Now that Mozilla and Netscape have come of age (well almost... but that's 
> another thread) we are considering moving on up from Netscape 4.7x to a 
> newer browser; IE, netscape 6.x and Mozilla being the usual suspects of course.
> Has anyone found a way to  Permanently delete the Sidebar? I don't me just 
> f9ing it, but actually going in to the code and blowing it away so it can 
> never be used again...ever.
> 
> If you are using Netscape/Mozilla currently, have users found it 
> confusing/annoying if you did leave it on?
> Any other thoughts on Keeping it on Vs. Blowing it away?
> 
> ------------------------------------------
> Blake Carver
> Web Librarian
> The Ohio State University Libraries
>