Tag Archives: web browser

Browser market share outlook: December 2009

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Here’s a quick outlook at the browser market share, thanks to HitsLink.

It looks like this month there’s been some interesting changes that may surprise. Internet Explorer has continued to loose out on its usual trend (falling by 0.93%), but Firefox has also lost out! Firefox has only lost out by 0.11% but that has left other browsers to grow. Firefox’s loss is the first of its kind in 6 months which means that maybe people are finally beginning to see the other browsers available.

Google Chrome, Safari and Opera have all gained market share this month, with Chrome gaining the most noticeable increase at 0.70%. Safari has a small but ever-important increase of 0.10%, with Opera gaining just 0.09%.

It goes to show how the variety of browsers is causing the most popular browsers to loose out. I’m very pleased that Google Chrome is getting lots of attention as I still firmly believe its one of the best browsers available as it is lightweight, super quick and easy to use. This months increase now means that Chrome is the 3rd most popular web browser.

Microsoft extending browser choice to XP and Vista as well as Windows 7

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Remember a while back when I was talking about Microsoft giving users the choice of which browser they use in Windows 7? Well, Microsoft is apparently now going extend this consideration to Windows XP and Vista too.

From what I’ve heard from various sites on the net, Microsoft will be releasing an update (via Windows Update) sometime in the next six months. The update will only appear in Europe and the update will be either a “high priority” or “important” update. Once the update is installed, the next time IE runs, a “ballot” screen will appear showing users all other internet browsers with more than 0.5% (per cent) of the internet browser share in Europe.

Users will then be able to choose a browser that appeals to them and install it.

Users can also choose to stick with Internet Explorer, or be asked again at a date in the future.

In my opinion, this is great news. We might actually be able to get accurate results as to which browser is most important, and users wont be biased into using Internet Explorer anymore.

Thanks Microsoft, this is great news!

Google Chrome OS looks interesting…

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It has been announced that Google will be releasing a brand new operating system, called the Google Chrome OS. The operating system will be very simple according to many sources, as it will be initially aimed at netbook users.

There hasn’t really been a confirmed release date, but guesses start from as early as tomorrow. However, Google has mentioned on their blog to stay tuned for more updates in the Autumn.

Google has said that they will be launching various web-based apps for the system, which will be great for computers short of hard drive space and RAM. Also, Google wants the apps to run on Windows and Mac too, so their audience should expand even further.

Google already has some brilliant online apps such as Google Docs, so having these available on other operating systems should be easy.

I think having another OS in the collection could have consequences to some other Linux versions such as Ubuntu. Linux version such as Ubuntu have had a big part in the netbook world, but Windows XP has also had increased popularity.

I think Google will have think about the fact that if it was my decision, I’d just install XP. And I think a lot of other people would think the same. Google is going to have one hell of a job to win people other.

But on the other hand, with the success of the Google Chrome web browser (now being regularly used by over 30 million users – according to Google), maybe they have a chance. We’ll have to wait and see.

How many browser toolbars do you have?

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Being the sad person I am, I always think every time I look at someones computer is how many toolbars do you have in your internet browser?

Personally, I’m not a fan of web toolbars. I’ve never seemed to understand why you need them? Every one I see on the internet is either some way to get ads to you or just an almost pointless shortcut in my opinion.

Admittedly, there are a few toolbars that are sort of handy. But the ones that just drive me mad are ones like the “smiley” ones that allow you to install “smilies” into IM software such as Windows Live Messenger. All they do is fill up your computer with spyware rubbish that is utterly pointless and just ends up wasting my time.

I’m very proud to say that in all 3 webbrowsers I have installed on my laptop (Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome) you won’t find a single toolbar installed. Not one (others than the built in ones, obviously).

Are you a toolbar addict (is there such a thing)? Do you feel the need for toolbars? Why do you use them?

Web browsers… is there still one leader and one leader only?

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The web browser “war” still rages on.

It’s been going on for years. What is the best web browser? I don’t think there will ever be a final decision, although I would think most people would agree that Firefox has to be the safest and easiest way to browse the web.

The dreaded Internet Explorer is still used by millions. The reason for this is that many people just don’t know about Firefox or other web browsers. They just stick to whatever comes on their Windows PC. I suppose, if you were a computer novice, you’d just do the easiest thing and stick to Internet Explorer. Such a shame… if you use IE, you don’t know what you are missing.

Firefox is still extremely popular. It’s got just what everybody wants. A reliable, safe, fast browser that can be customized beyond belief. It is an extremely good browser – I’m using it to write this post now. It does exactly what it claims it does. It is very easy to use, I can trust it for any online payments, and I can use a huge range of plugins to make it do whatever I want it to.

With new web browser, Google Chrome, has Firefox got a challenger? Well, it has got a range of clever features. For example the tab management is very good. Instead of using just one process to manage all of your tabs, it splits each tab into a different process. This means that if one tab crashes, you don’t have to close the whole browser. And it does this without becoming a RAM-hog. Add to that it’s lightning speed launch times and Glass design (in Vista Aero), it does add up to be a relatively good browser. Google does have work to do to it, I mean it does have problems. My biggest problem is that it just doesn’t render some pages properly, and it claims that some pages are unavailable when they aren’t really.

What about Apple Safari? Well that’s good too. It has its ups and downs. I would only use it on a Mac, since I’m not a fan of the Windows version. It just seems rather pointless in Windows when you could just use Firefox, which is much more reliable and usable.

Opera? No way. I’ve never liked Opera. Again, it comes down to the same thing – why have it when you can have Firefox which is much safer and reliable. I don’t like Opera’s interface, and overall I just think it’s a no-go.

So, if you want an answer. It still remains – there is only one leader – Firefox. It just can’t be beaten for its safety, reliability, speed, and customizability. And those, I think, are the four keys to a web browser. Maybe, one day, a browser may become as good or even better than Firefox, but I think you be safely assured that it’s not going to be anytime soon.