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