Firefox Vs. The World
Why Ask Why?
As many web users make the switch to Firefox in search of Tabbed browsing, better Find features, Plugins and the whole lot of little goodies FF offers up, the mamba-jamba of reasons stated and preached for the switch is the big "S."
FF proponents swear by the security of FF as opposed to the gaping holes in Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
The reason I ask, "Is it really better?" is simply... who's been beating up on it until now?
A Prediction
The majority of people who switch to FF will not be tech savvy users... just like those who switched from Netscape to IE years ago. Yes, a handful and most of the first to make the move are the techies, the developers and the designers, but will your average user really notice all that big of a difference?
With IE7 looming to bring spyware-riddled users back into the MS fold, and people like me who will slowly, but surely expose security issue in Firefox, I actually think the downfall of FF will be the following:
- If you thought MS was slow to release patches, wait till the attacks build up on FF...
- Compound the issue above, with the fact that the promise of FF is security... once those Cool Web Search guys find a new way in, those people will run from FF in droves.
- Add to the above that there will be no Automatic Updates simply prompting people to "Install Now" to resolve issues they don't even know about before they even affect them.
Signs of What's to Come
Multiple Browsers IDN Spoofing Test (not IE though!)
Eric Johanson has reported a security issue in multiple browsers, which can be exploited by a malicious web site to spoof the URL displayed in the address bar, SSL certificate, and status bar.
As soon as I post this, FF proponents are going to begin shouting about how to resolve this problem. I must repeat my theory about how while a lot of initial users of FF will be the tech savvy, your average user resists upgrades and doesn't handle altering IDN specifications manually well. Why do you think NN 4.7 is still floating around out there?
Joe's Final Thought
I like FF. I like IE. I look forward to the future of both products and am not religious about either. I personally can't stand Opera, but I even kinda like NN 7.
I hate sheeple. And to that end. F**k Mozilla. F**k Zeldman. F**k Google and.... no, no just kidding, please Google don't... what are you doing with that knife? I'm sorry... no please.... Ahhhh!
Joe's Final Thought on Joe's Final Thought
A lot of you are very upset with me right now.
Those of you who are... the right thing to do now is to never visit this website ever again. That's the logical thing to do, but you're mad that I trounced on the nobility of Firefox and showed an existing flaw. You love Google and Zeldman. You like long walks in the rain and hugging trees. But if you're actually upset, it's because you are not capable of being logical and you should not be a web developer and now you feel a strong urge to shout back. Well, that's what comments are for.
If you're not a developer, but rather a designer, therein lies the problem.
For those of you who are not offended by my lack of awe in the face of Firefox or even (gasp!) enjoy the laughable dent thrown at the MS Empire by this Pro-Firefox, Anti-IE movement, feel free to post like-minded ideology. Your voice is not required, but appreciated. No need to hide in the shadows. MS will most likely win out and eventually team up with Google, the "if ever there was a company poised to indulge in the dark arts of corporate greed, it's us" company.
MORE PROOF!
MARCH 21, 2005 (COMPUTERWORLD) - The growing popularity of Mozilla-based Web browsers appears to be attracting the attention of the malicious hacking community.
Between July 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2004, the number of documented vulnerabilities affecting the Mozilla browser and Mozilla's Firefox browser was higher than the number of vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft's Internet Explorer, according to the latest Internet Security Threat Report from Symantec Corp released today.