K-Meleon is a
web browserA web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
for the
Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
platform. Based on the same
GeckoGecko is a layout engine currently developed by Mozilla Corporation, known as the layout engine of the Firefox web browser, Mozilla Application Suite, Nvu, Mozilla Thunderbird and many more...
layout engineA layout engine, or rendering engine, is software that takes marked up content and formatting information and displays the formatted content on the screen. It "paints" on the content area of a window, which is displayed on a monitor or a printer...
as
Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. Firefox has 23.75% of the recorded usage share of web browsers , making it the second most popular browser in terms of current use worldwide after Microsoft's...
, K-Meleon uses native Windows
APIAn application programming interface is an interface in computer science that defines the ways by which an application program may request services from libraries and/or operating systems. An API determines the vocabulary and calling conventions the programmer should employ to use the services...
to create the
user interfaceThe user interface is the aggregate of means by which people—the users—interact with the system—a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool...
(instead of using Mozilla's cross-platform
XULIn computer programming, XUL , the XML User Interface Language, is an XML user interface markup language which operates in Mozilla cross-platform applications such as Firefox and Flock...
layer), and as a result, is tightly integrated into the look and feel of the Windows desktop; this approach is similar to that of
GaleonGaleon is a web browser for GNOME based on Mozilla’s Gecko layout engine. Galeon’s self-declared mission was to deliver “the web and only the web.”...
and
EpiphanyEpiphany is a web browser for the GNOME graphical computing desktop. It is also available for Mac OS X and is a descendant of Galeon.-Development:...
(for the
GNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment—a graphical user interface which runs on top of a computer operating system —composed entirely of free and open source software...
desktop), and
CaminoCamino is a free, open source, GUI-based Web browser based on Mozilla's Gecko layout engine and specifically designed for the Mac OS X operating system...
(for
Mac OS XMac OS X is a line of computer operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc., and since 2002 has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
). This also makes K-Meleon less resource-intensive and more responsive to user input.
K-Meleon is released under the
GNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is a widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU project....
and runs on the Win32 platform.
K-Meleon is a
web browserA web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
for the
Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
platform. Based on the same
GeckoGecko is a layout engine currently developed by Mozilla Corporation, known as the layout engine of the Firefox web browser, Mozilla Application Suite, Nvu, Mozilla Thunderbird and many more...
layout engineA layout engine, or rendering engine, is software that takes marked up content and formatting information and displays the formatted content on the screen. It "paints" on the content area of a window, which is displayed on a monitor or a printer...
as
Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. Firefox has 23.75% of the recorded usage share of web browsers , making it the second most popular browser in terms of current use worldwide after Microsoft's...
, K-Meleon uses native Windows
APIAn application programming interface is an interface in computer science that defines the ways by which an application program may request services from libraries and/or operating systems. An API determines the vocabulary and calling conventions the programmer should employ to use the services...
to create the
user interfaceThe user interface is the aggregate of means by which people—the users—interact with the system—a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool...
(instead of using Mozilla's cross-platform
XULIn computer programming, XUL , the XML User Interface Language, is an XML user interface markup language which operates in Mozilla cross-platform applications such as Firefox and Flock...
layer), and as a result, is tightly integrated into the look and feel of the Windows desktop; this approach is similar to that of
GaleonGaleon is a web browser for GNOME based on Mozilla’s Gecko layout engine. Galeon’s self-declared mission was to deliver “the web and only the web.”...
and
EpiphanyEpiphany is a web browser for the GNOME graphical computing desktop. It is also available for Mac OS X and is a descendant of Galeon.-Development:...
(for the
GNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment—a graphical user interface which runs on top of a computer operating system —composed entirely of free and open source software...
desktop), and
CaminoCamino is a free, open source, GUI-based Web browser based on Mozilla's Gecko layout engine and specifically designed for the Mac OS X operating system...
(for
Mac OS XMac OS X is a line of computer operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc., and since 2002 has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
). This also makes K-Meleon less resource-intensive and more responsive to user input.
Development and specifications
K-Meleon is released under the
GNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is a widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU project....
and runs on the Win32 platform. The current release version of K-Meleon is 1.5.3, which was released on May 8, 2009. This release is based on the Gecko 1.8.1.21 rendering engine.
K-Meleon's very first version was originally written by Christophe Thibault and released to the public on August 21, 2000.
The change from the K-Meleon 0.9.x series to 1.0.x was a major modification. The most notable change was the main K-Meleon code being updated to accommodate the Gecko 1.8.0.x rendering engine, as used in the latest releases of
SeaMonkeySeaMonkey is a free and open source cross-platform Internet suite. It is the continuation of the former Mozilla Application Suite, based on the same source code...
and
Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. Firefox has 23.75% of the recorded usage share of web browsers , making it the second most popular browser in terms of current use worldwide after Microsoft's...
. The change of layout not only brought the browser up-to-date on the level of security, but on web page layout as well. Several other major improvements included support for
faviconA favicon , also known as a website icon, shortcut icon, url icon, or bookmark icon is a 16×16, 32×32 or 64×64 pixel square icon associated with a particular website or webpage...
s and multi-user environments. Some themes and macros from version 0.9 are still compatible with 1.0, although the macro system has been updated. An even more fundamental update of the macro system was made concurrent with the development of K-Meleon 1.1, which is based on the Gecko 1.8.1 rendering engine that is used in Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and SeaMonkey 1.1. The last release of the earlier K-Meleon 0.9 series (which was based on the earlier Mozilla 1.7.x rendering engine used in the former
Mozilla Application SuiteThe Mozilla Application Suite is a cross-platform integrated Internet suite. Its development was initiated by Netscape Communications Corporation, before their acquisition by AOL. It is based on the source code of Netscape Communicator...
) was K-Meleon 0.9.13 (released April 24, 2006). That release was based on the Mozilla 1.7.13 build (the final Mozilla Suite release). Although K-Meleon 0.9.13 is based on Gecko 1.7.13, which is now obsolete, a simulation of it (called "K-Meleon0.9.13-ud3-1.8.0.7") has been made that is based on a current "k-meleon.exe" and a recent 1.8.0.x Gecko rendering engine to allow people who prefer the older K-Meleon 0.9 interface to update their browsing to current security standards.
K-Meleon saw another big development step with the release of 1.5.x., with this version the layers plug-in became obsolete and was replaced with built-in tabs. This was the first time real tabs were implemented in an official build. Various other features and improvements were added along the line of the 1.5.x. series.
Customizations
K-Meleon has a highly flexible interface design. All the menus and toolbar buttons can be customized using its configuration files. This feature can be very useful in an environment where the general public has access to the browser such as a
libraryA public library is a library which is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and may be operated by civil servants...
or
Internet cafeAn internet café or cybercafé is a place where one can use a computer with Internet access, most for a fee, usually per hour or minute; sometimes one can have unmetered access with a pass for a day or month, etc...
. Despite its usefulness, it may be intimidating to an
end-userEconomics and commerce define an end-user as the person who uses a product. The end-user or consumer may differ from the person who purchases the product. For instance, a zookeeper, the customer, might purchase elephant food for an end-user: the elephant....
, as there is no
GUIGui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
to customize the individual toolbars. A user must edit the toolbar configuration file to make any changes in the button layouts, although one can move around the toolbars by simply dragging their handles.
The use of Windows native interface means that K-Meleon does not support Mozilla-based themes. Compatibility with Mozilla extensions is also limited, with only a few extensions that can be integrated. However, K-Meleon has its own plugins (called "kplugins") and browser themes, (the default being
Phoenity) which can extend the functionality and customize the appearance of the browser. There is also a macro plugin which allows users to extend the browser functionality without having to know the
C programming languageC is a general-purpose computer programming language developed in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
.
Release history
| Color |
Meaning |
| Red |
Old release; not supported |
| Yellow |
Old release; still supported |
| Green |
Current stable release |
| Purple |
Current test release |
| Blue |
Future release |
| Major version |
Release version |
Gecko version |
Release date |
Significant changes |
| 0.1 |
0.1 |
M17 |
August 21 2000 |
First release; mainly a rebranded WinEmbed, using the BCG Library; customizable menu and toolbar, IE Favorites support. |
| 0.2 |
0.2 |
M18 |
November 26 2000 |
Project hosted at SourceForge; right-click context menus; improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.2.1 |
M18 |
November 27 2000 |
Bugfixes. |
| 0.3 |
0.3 |
0.8 |
February 13 2001 |
Major rewrite using MfcEmbed instead of WinEmbed and the BCG Library; plugin support for menus and toolbars; preferences dialog; customizable menus and accelerator keys; basic authentication; page source view; option to save files to disk. |
| 0.4 |
0.4 |
0.9 |
May 11 2001 |
KPlugin interface, support for Netscape bookmarks and fullscreen display, macro extension and history plugin; (bitmapped) menus, accelerator keys and toolbars customizable through configuration files; cache support; support for external source code viewer; configurable cookie and image settings; possibility to disable Style Sheets, Java and JavaScript; web search. |
| 0.5 |
0.5 |
0.9.4 |
September 27 2001 |
Support for SSL, Wallet and external protocol handlers; customizable UserAgent string; improved Java support and profile handling; pop-up blocker; symbiotic loader; various improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.6 |
0.6 |
0.9.5 |
October 30 2001 |
Toolbar plugin; improved proxy support; file upload; numerous improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.7 |
0.7 |
1.2b |
October 31 2002 |
New plugins: Layered windows ("tabbed browsing"), support for Opera bookmarks (hotlist), external program control; automatic detection of popular third party plugins; text zoom, print preview, page setup and type ahead find; skin support; various improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.7.1 (0.7 SP1) |
February 12 2003 |
Numerous plugin improvements. |
| 0.8 |
0.8 |
1.5 |
November 10 2003 |
Various usability improvements. |
| 0.8.1 |
December 13 2003 |
Mouse Gestures plugin; improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.8.2 |
December 23 2003 |
Improvements and bugfixes. |
| 0.9 |
0.9 |
1.7.5 |
January 18 2005 |
Privacy plugin, Flashblock extension and Aggreg8 RSS RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format...
feed reader; new default skin (Phoenity); numerous usability improvements. |
| 0.9.12 |
1.7.12 |
January 10 2006 |
Community-driven Gecko update; various new features (partly unique to this version). |
| 0.9.13 |
1.7.13 |
April 25 2006 |
Community-driven Gecko update; various new features (partly unique to this version). |
| 1.0 |
1.0 |
1.8.0.5 |
July 15 2006 |
Full localization support, first official localization (German); find bar and improved URL bar; configurable download options, XUL-based advanced preferences panel; overall improvements for macros and menus; new default RSS RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format...
/AtomThe name Atom applies to a pair of related standards. The Atom Syndication Format is an XML language used for web feeds, while the Atom Publishing Protocol is a simple HTTP-based protocol for creating and updating web resources.Web feeds allow software programs to check for updates published on a...
feed reader (NewsFox). |
| 1.0.1 (1.01) |
1.8.0.6 |
August 14 2006 |
Gecko update. |
| 1.0.2 (1.02) |
1.8.0.7 |
September 22 2006 |
Gecko update, some improvements and bugfixes. |
| 1.1 |
1.1 |
1.8.1.4 |
May 22 2007 |
Multilanguage support, several official localizations; modular macros; session saver plugin; improved cookie permissions and password support; easier customization of search engines and mouse gestures; upgradable configuration of accelerator keys, menus and macros. |
| 1.1.1 (1.11) |
1.8.1.5 |
July 22 2007 |
Gecko update and bugfixes. |
| 1.1.2 |
1.8.1.6 |
August 8 2007 |
Gecko update and bugfixes. |
| 1.1.3 |
1.8.1.10 |
November 26 2007 |
Gecko update; update checker plugin. |
| 1.1.4 |
1.8.1.12 |
February 11 2008 |
Gecko update and bugfixes. |
| 1.1.5 |
1.8.1.14 |
April 8 2008 |
Gecko update and bugfix. |
| 1.1.6 |
1.8.1.17pre |
July 18 2008 |
Gecko update. |
| 1.5 |
1.5.0 |
1.8.1.17pre |
August 8 2008 |
True tabs instead of layered windows; improved multilanguage support; native preferences panel replaced by XUL-based former advanced preferences panel; new configuration options; feature improvements; Unicode build for Windows NT, non-Unicode build for Windows 9X. |
| 1.5.1 |
1.8.1.17 |
October 16 2008 |
Gecko update, improvements and bugfixes. |
| 1.5.2 |
1.8.1.19 |
December 25 2008 |
Gecko update, improvements and bugfixes. |
| 1.5.3 |
1.8.1.21 |
May 8 2009 |
Gecko update and bugfixes. |
| 1.5.4 |
1.8.1.2x |
Ended 2009 |
Gecko update and bugfixes. |
| 1.6 |
1.6 |
1.9.x |
2010 |
Gecko update to Gecko trunk 1.9. |
References: K-Meleon file releases, release notes and Wiki documentation.
K-MeleonCCF
K-MeleonCCF was developed by Hao Jiang, adding further features to K-meleon. The biggest change was the use of a true tab structure, as opposed to a layer system used by K-Meleon at the time. Other changes include an Lua-based macro system to replace the original macros (giving greater responsiveness), and further
UIThe user interface is the aggregate of means by which people—the users—interact with the system—a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool...
tweaks, such as a mouse-gestures plugin.
Many of the changes implemented were included in later versions of K-Meleon, and with the release of K-Meleon 1.5, this will include "real tab support and much powerful macro plugin". Development of CCF has ceased with users being advised to move to K-Meleon 1.5 upon its release.
K-MeleonCCF ME
K-MeleonCCF ME was developed as a more streamlined version of K-MeleonCCF, using less resources and delivering greater responsiveness. This is achieved by the exclusion of Mozilla's inefficient
XUL (XML User Interface Language)In computer programming, XUL , the XML User Interface Language, is an XML user interface markup language which operates in Mozilla cross-platform applications such as Firefox and Flock...
in menus, and the use of more Lua-based macros.
It is the least resource intensive browser for Windows using an up-to-date rendering engine making it ideal for older computers or those with minimal amounts of
RAM-Ram, ram, or RAM as a non-acronymic word:As a non-acronymic word Ram, ram, or RAM may refer to:-Animals:*Bighorn Sheep, A North American mountain sheep species*Sheep, an uncastrated male of which is called a ram...
. It may also be the fastest at rendering, loading pages faster than
OperaOpera is a web browser and internet suite developed by the Opera Software company. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying websites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, IRC online chatting, downloading files via BitTorrent, and reading web feeds...
.
Additionally, new features and improvements are included in each version.
http://kmeleon.blogspot.com
On January 25, 2008, Hao declared his decision to discontinue the unofficial K-MeleonCCF project, however, since then he (along with increased input from Dorian) has completed version 0.08 of CCF ME, and development continues on version 0.09 of CCF ME, based on the Gecko 1.9 rendering engine. A beta version of 0.09 was tested to be twice as fast as
OperaOpera is a web browser and internet suite developed by the Opera Software company. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying websites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, IRC online chatting, downloading files via BitTorrent, and reading web feeds...
9.5 at rendering
javascriptJavaScript is an object-oriented scripting language used to enable programmatic access to objects within both the client application and other applications. It is primarily used in the form of client-side JavaScript, implemented as an integrated component of the web browser, allowing the...
.
Portable versions
Some users have created modifications to enhance the portability of K-Meleon so they can run the browser on other Windows computers without having to install the software. Douglas McFadzean has collected and expanded on those efforts resulting in a group of
portable K-Meleon projects that are designed to "enhance" the K-Meleon browser's modularity and portability. These projects include Pocket K-Meleon, KMprof, KMV (K-Meleon on the MoVe), KMVX (K-Meleon on the MoVe eXtendedKM@, KM@X, and KMigrate. These projects focus on the ability to run K-Meleon from a
USB flash driveA USB flash drive consists of flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, much smaller than a floppy disk, and most weigh less than 1 ounce...
or portable hard drive, leaving no trace of browsing on the host computer.
Douglas's work on portable K-Meleon for Windows has reduced as he has moved to using mainly
Arch LinuxArch Linux is a Linux distribution intended to be lightweight and simple. The design approach of the development team focuses on simplicity, elegance, code correctness and minimalism...
and
MEPISMEPIS is a set of Linux distributions, distributed as Live CDs that can be installed onto a hard disk drive. The most popular MEPIS distribution is SimplyMEPIS, which is based primarily on Debian stable...
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
systems.
There have also been some early attempts at making a version of K-Meleon which can run from a read-only device, such as a CD-ROM.
K-Ninja
K-Ninja is a minimalistic modification of K-Meleon that appeared during the development phase of K-Meleon 0.9. It is designed with less on-screen space reserved for menus and buttons, dedicating more to each website. An attempt was also made to expand and reorganize the right-click
context menuA context menu is a menu in a graphical user interface that appears upon user interaction, such as a right mouse click...
s to make them quicker and easier to use.
Development history
K-Ninja was originally developed by Mark Reaves at Mot Studios. When Mark left Mot Studios and founded
LDIOS (the Linux Desktop Initiation Operating System), the Official K-Ninja Forum also moved to the LDIOS site, which has not functioned since Nov. 29, 2005. Mark has not been available to maintain the project.
On June 29, 2005, "TransitMan"
updated the K-Ninja rendering engine to Gecko 1.7.9 beta, and since March 12, 2006, "Al." (a former K-Meleon dev) updated it further and began to maintain it on a new homepage as K-Ninja Samurai v1.x, with the v1.7.13 Gecko engine. On October 27, 2007 he released
K-Ninja v2.1.4.5, using the rendering engine of Seamonkey v1.1.5 (currently rv: 1.8.1.8).
Current K-Ninja development has been scaled down by Al. because of personal commitments and also as he began using
UbuntuUbuntu , is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution. It is named after the South African ethical ideology Ubuntu and is distributed as free and open source software. Ubuntu provides an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on...
. Further updates only occurred when new GREs were released, which ensured browser security.
The last couple of K-Ninja releases were done privately as a service to existing K-Ninja users reluctant to switch to another browser. The last release was K-Ninja v2.2.1 (codenamed Cydonia based on Gecko v1.8.1.12). An experimental version using the older Gecko v1.8.0.14pre rendering engine was also developed during this period, it being called "Orbital".
On March 12, 2008, K-Ninja development was wrapped up by Al.
KMLite
Al. later established a private Google Group called The True Underground, and after a few Private releases of K-Ninja, Al. focused in on bringing forth a new derivative of K-Meleon called KMLite. KMLite (K-Meleon Lite) is primarily aimed at honouring its origins & helps to move the K-Ninja concept forward with the current K-Meleon v1.5.x codebase & macros subset. The result is a browser with a light interface, fast rendering & such features as "true tabs", "plugin macros" and "advanced preferences panel" which itself is based on XUL.
Deciding to establish a more "focused" Group, Al also setup the KMLite Dev Google Group. The idea is also to put behind what was a "reactionary" Group in the first place.
Currently KMLite is at v1.1.2, which features the Gecko v1.8.1.19 rendering engine. Al. releases KMLite privately to the KMLite Dev Group members.
On the 21st April 2009 Al. announced via his website that he was discontinuing KMLite & K-Ninja development due to time constraints and diminished interest in Windows. He also lifted restrictions on development & distribution on his previous K-Meleon themes.
See also
- List of web browsers
- Comparison of web browsers
The following tables compare general and technical information for a number of web browsers. Please see the individual products' articles for further information.-Historical web browsers:...
- List of feed aggregators
- Comparison of feed aggregators
The following is a comparison of notable feed aggregators. Often e-mail programs and web browsers have the ability to display feeds. They are listed here, too.Many BitTorrent clients support for Broadcatching see Comparison of BitTorrent Clients.-General:...
External links