The browser wars are back. Upstart Web browser maker Mozilla Foundation now expects its surging Firefox browser to command 10 percent of the Web browser market by the end of 2005. "I think we'll get to 10 percent over the next year," a Mozilla Foundation spokesperson told ZDNET this week. "We don't have 10 percent of the Web at the moment, but we have the momentum."
According to some amazing statistics that show a sudden and profound interest in alternatives to the bug-laden and insecure Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) product, the Mozilla Foundation certainly does have momentum on its side. Enthusiasts downloaded more than 3.3 million copies of the prerelease version, Firefox 0.8, and a whopping 6.5 million users downloaded Firefox 0.9 in just 3 months. More than 5 million users have downloaded the prerelease version of Firefox 1.0 (the final version is due next month) in just 1 month.
According to ZDNET UK, more than 19 percent of this month's Web traffic to its sites came from Firefox and other Mozilla-based browsers, up from 9 percent in February. Not coincidentally, IE use during that time period fell from 88 percent to 79 percent. CNET.com reports similar trends. To download Firefox, visit the Mozilla Foundation Web site.
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Well of course ZDNet/CNET would have a high proportion of Firefox users, since the sites are aimed at technology enthusiasts. Joe User and Grandma don't typically go to ZDNet.
Anonymous User October 26, 2004
So how about making this site compatible with Firefox? The text in news articles is smaller than it should be and the advertisements always get pushed way off the screen.
Anonymous User October 26, 2004
Yes, please do something about the text. If it isn't too small in Firefox it comes out in COURIER and other dreadful font combinations.
DonnEdwards October 26, 2004 (Article Rating: )
I spoke to a web developer a few months ago about Firefox, and he looked at me with a straight face, and with a confused look said, "What's Firefox"?
Of course, being Micro$oft certified, and an all-Microsoft house, I'm not surprised that he didn't know. Well, OK, I WAS surprised, but not shocked.
Change is in the wind. And change is good. Let's hope they make enough of a dent in Micro$oft's market share to force Website designers (like the ones that work on this site--nudge, nudge) to write to STANDARDS, not to IE.
Good article.
WinThose October 26, 2004 (Article Rating: )
Again, it's funny to read about firefox, using firefox, and seeing that your website has no been tested with it.
Ads are pushed off the screen! :) It's for your own interest: Make your website more browser compatible and you'll get clicks :)
Anonymous User October 26, 2004
I don't see any problems with the ads. They are in the same place in Firefox 1.0PR as in IE 6.0sp1
Anonymous User October 26, 2004
I've been using first Mozilla and now Firefox and haven't had any problems with graphic placement or anything else. If the text is too small, hit control and the plus sign on the keypad to enlarge it. Shrink it with control and the minus sign on the keypad. Now if I could just find a way to remove IE totally......
lettuce October 26, 2004
Ctrl+ and Ctrl- will also bring the ads back onto the screen (if you really want them...)
Anonymous User October 26, 2004
I've used Firefox, and I'm just not impressed. It has only a few more features than IE. I've been using Maxthon, and am really impressed with the feature set.
Anonymous User October 27, 2004 (Article Rating: )
An impressive goal, and I think that it is possible given all of the positive traction in the industry at this time. While Firefox has had its share of security vulnerabilities recently, most have been evident in earlier versions that were still heavily in beta.
But, as has been mentioned before, and as I have mentioned in the past, this site should be more Firefox friendly. While I know that I can increase the text size, it should just display right the first time, like it does in IE.
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Anonymous User October 26, 2004