| Most of Firebird's advantages are MSIE's | | | | users who have a license for Windows XP. |
| disadvantages, and vice-versa. This article will look | | | | Firefox also has a similar user interface among |
| at some of the advantages and disadvantages of | | | | the different operating platforms. For |
| Firefox in relation to MSIE. | | | | deployments that have a mix of operating |
| Advantages | | | | platforms (such as Linux for the techs, Macs for |
| Security | | | | the graphic designers, and Windows for the |
| Security is often cited as the primary reason for | | | | accounts department), moving to Firefox for |
| users switching from MSIE to Firefox. Security is | | | | everyone thus brings technical support costs |
| of utmost importance for software that interacts | | | | down. |
| with remote computers, in an era of high security | | | | Time-saving browser innovations |
| risk activities such as online banking. | | | | Internet communication and interaction is a core |
| Firefox has fewer security holes and a tighter | | | | component for most modern businesses. Efficient |
| schedule of disclosing them. The enhanced | | | | use of web browser time translates to increased |
| security in Firefox is due to a multitude of factors | | | | profits, so innovations to help workers do their |
| the system's inclusion of more source code | | | | tasks faster are welcomed. |
| reviewers and a better bug reporting system and | | | | Firefox leads MSIE in this regard, with |
| exclusion of VBScript/ActiveX, often the source | | | | out-of-the-box features such as integrated Google |
| of vulnerabilities. | | | | search in the toolbar, placing the find-within-page |
| Meanwhile, Microsoft has been clamoring for years | | | | box at the bottom of the browser window so as |
| to try to clamp down on the MSIE security holes. | | | | not to obscure the text, and so on. |
| It acquired an anti-spyware product, which it | | | | Disadvantages |
| released under the banner of Microsoft | | | | Retraining |
| AntiSpyware. It also promises its new Windows | | | | Any switch of software incurs a retraining cost. |
| Vista platform will be more secure. However, | | | | However, a switch from MSIE to Firefox requires |
| Microsoft's track record to date has done little to | | | | only a mild amount of retraining. |
| boost the confidence of today's user. | | | | The switch from MSIE to Firefox is designed to |
| Standards compliance | | | | be easy, with proper import of bookmarks and |
| Firefox has vaulted ahead of MSIE with improved | | | | other settings. |
| support for standard web protocols, such as its | | | | Browser interfaces are becoming standard, so |
| superior stylesheet compatibility. | | | | understanding how to get up and running is not |
| Since MSIE had a leading marketshare, the | | | | usually a problem. There are some only minor |
| company had less interest in conforming to web | | | | adjustments. For example, "Internet Files" in MSIE |
| standards, and instead focused on proprietary | | | | is called "Cache" in Firefox. One can use a |
| protocols, with the goal of maintaining their | | | | downloaded MSIE theme so that the Firefox user |
| market position. That is, the focus of Microsoft | | | | interface even more closely resembles that of |
| was to try to convert as much of its userbase to | | | | MSIE. |
| writing webpages and web applications that | | | | Incomplete migration |
| required a proprietary MSIE-approach, so that | | | | In a business with Windows computers, if the |
| down the road, users would be less able to move | | | | switch from MSIE to Firefox is incomplete, it can |
| off a Microsoft platform. | | | | cost more to offer technical support for both |
| As a result, Microsoft neglected for years to | | | | browsers. This argument would only apply to |
| improve support for basic open standards. For | | | | shops whose Windows computers are all |
| example, transparent PNG graphics did not work | | | | Windows XP. Since the new MSIE is only available |
| all the way through to MSIE version 6. | | | | for Windows XP, if there are different Windows |
| Multiple operating system platforms | | | | versions (such as Windows NT or 2000), then the |
| Firefox is available for users who runs Windows | | | | technical support team already needs to support |
| (Windows 98 through to Windows XP), Mac OS | | | | different types of MSIE browsers. |
| X, all the leading versions of Linux, as well as | | | | Another consideration, however, is that even an |
| some lesser-used operating systems. In | | | | incomplete switch from MSIE to Firefox could |
| comparison, Microsoft has dropped development | | | | result in less technical support, since the Firefox |
| for Mac, and other non-Windows systems. | | | | users would be less likely to need help with fixing |
| Furthermore, Microsoft has ceased new | | | | their computer after an MSIE-related security |
| development even on their own versions of | | | | breach. |
| Windows, making the new MSIE only available to | | | | |