I downloaded the Firefox Web browser yesterday to see about the fuss it's receiving. After using it for part of the day, I can see that users of the still-stuck-in-1999 Internet Explorer (another innovative product from monopolist Microsoft) would find it an improvement. But for us Opera users, Firefox is woefully inadequate.
Back in January, I listed ten reasons why I prefer Opera as my Web browser. You can read them here.
The FireFox logo is cooler than Opera's. But that compaign to raise enuff money to run a full-page ad in some New York newspaper? I dunno 'bout that. How many New Yorkers care about Web browser branding?
Update
WebSideStory reports that Mozzilla / FireFox is gaining market share:
June - 3.5%
September - 5.2%
October - 6%
Microsoft's 3-year-old Web browser continues to hold onto its monopoly status (> 70%), but is drooping:
June - 95.5%
September - 93.7%
October 92.9%
Opera - 1.1%
Apple Safari - 1.1%
I've been using opera for awhile. The only time i switch to IE 6 is if i need to use ASP extensions.
I've tried netscape and i found it to be rather bloated. I haven't looked at Firefox though i have downloaded it.
Posted by: Donovan Cox | Oct 20, 2004 at 08:24 AM
Firefox has free extensions that allow it to do everything that Opera does (plus a bit more). Added bonus.. it's free.
Posted by: Sean | Oct 20, 2004 at 01:14 PM
Here's a PC World review (towards the end of the article) of Opera 7.5 for the Macintosh.
Posted by: SB | Oct 21, 2004 at 11:31 AM
SB's comment about extensions is correct, Firefox is a very nice and powerful browser if you're willing to customize it.
I wonder what the perceived problem is with it, no specifics are mentioned.
AvantBrowser is a fairly good free add-on for IE-only users.
Posted by: Paul the Piper | Oct 22, 2004 at 06:24 PM
Free, shmee...
The $40 that Opera costs is well worth keeping its programmers employed.
Posted by: ralphg | Nov 04, 2004 at 08:46 AM