14. Firefox is attacking Internet Explorer.

3 or 4 years ago, I used Firefox for a short time, but changed it to IE(Internet Explorer of MS) because of its weakness in web infra. However, the its present situation seems different from the past.

'Firefox has more than 18% of the global market. Firefox 3 is scheduled to be released this month and may well push that share above 20% by the time Microsoft releases its next version of Internet Explorer late this year...'

I'd like to explain web browser history briefly. You might remember (if you are older than me) that there were two well-known web browsers, Netscape and Navigator which make populazation of web browser. I don't remember whether there was IE when I first met used, but I remember those two. Anyway, after MS realized that there would be internet era through the popularity of Netscape, it decided to jump into the web browser business. To make it effective, it tied IE into Window 98, and although Netscape accused them continuously, MS did not step back and attacked Netscape more. As the result, IE could made almost 90% of market share. However, In recent two years, the market share of IE decreased from 87.7% in 2005 to 75 in 2008. On the other hand, FF(Firefox) which is a open-source software Mozila group makes. increased its market share from 7.88% to 17%. FF is successfully evaluated as a competitive web browser against IE.

Most people do not care about what kind of web browser they use, and even though knowing it , they might think 'what's the big deal?'. Well, imagine when IE seized almost 90% of window OS and Internet, MS will exercise its power over users and there will be no choise left to us because many things will be standardized by MS at that time. I am not saying that the people who use IE are stupid or selfish because using IE is just natural because it is familiar to us, andit is majority. I just want to recommend Firefox to you because if you know some attractive advantages there, you also want to try it.

1. additive functions for extentionThis advantage seems similar with the things in Google.(I introduced it to you at the first blog)
If you visit this web site below, you can add any function you need to Firefox. http://update.mozilla.or.kr/addons/index.php?addonType=extension
Through this, you can customize your web browser. After visiting that web site, I was impressed to the fact that there were many specific needs in using web browser. Because it is a open-source software, whoever want to make other useful function on it, he can make and share it with others.

2. power of open-source software
Most softwares we use are closed, which means that a certain company takes responsibility in developing and improving its software.

In case of Firefox, communication between developers and users is very easy, so after users reveal some opinions, any web developers who are interested in Firefox all around world try to develop and improve it. That is why it can fulfill user's needs effectively, and can grow its market share fast. Moreoever, MS actually contributed Firefox's market share indirectly. MS stopped to develop IE for Apple after IE ver.5, so Apple users have to choose other web browsers like Apple's Safari, Firefox, and Ophera. A more funny thing is that you can noice that MS imitate many functions in Firefox if you see IE ver.7.

In spite of its attractive traits, I cannot persuade you to use Firefox because I don't want to give you such a huge stress. Most Korean websites are based on IE web standards, but those are not for Firefox or any other web browsers. Therefore, you will experienced some unconvenient situation with Firefox in Korean websites if you use it. However, I want to cheer it up with the same reason that I expect some benefit for users from the battle between Google and MS./posted by 20500580