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