Internet browser “Mozilla Firefox,” is gaining popularity — and market share — giving Internet users an option beyond the ubiquitous lowercase blue “e”, also known as Internet Explorer.

Firefox has gained 5 percent of the market share in the past two months, dropping the dominant Internet Explorer from 95 percent to 90 percent.

“Firefox is the first widely distributed alternative to Internet Explorer in awhile,” said Scott Hunt, manager of open access lab technologies for the Office of Information Technology.

Hunt said all Open Access Computer Labs offer Firefox as an alternate browser to Internet Explorer. Previously the labs have offered Netscape.

Developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation in California, Firefox has been praised as the best Web browser in 2003 by PCWorld Magazine and LinuxJournal Magazine.

With its motto “rediscover the Web,” Firefox features tabbed browsing, an integrated search bar, easy access toolbars and a built in pop-up blocker.

“Firefox beats Internet Explorer in pop-up blocking,” said David Orton, office of IT product manager.

Orton said Firefox has become popular among the support staff in the Office of IT, but it is all based on personal preference.

“It’s kind of like a comparison of Word Perfect and Word—it’s a preference,” Orton said. “That’s why we provide options to the user and let them choose.”

Although most reviews of Firefox have been positive, Orton said that there are some downfalls with the browser. Some websites only work specifically with Internet Explorer.

“We try to find applications that are browser agnostic, that work with both, but that’s not always the case,” Orton said.

The latest version of Firefox is available for free at Mozilla.org.



Copyright Brigham Young University 14 Feb 2005