News - Mozilla reveals majority of Brits are unaware of Microsoft's imminent browser

[HEXUS]

IE competitor lauds the importance of choice ahead of the roll-out of a European browser ballot for Windows users.

Read more.

[[GSV]Trig]

I use Firefox, but have IE as my default browser as some sites dont like Firefox, mind you saying that there are lots of sites that dont like IE since v8 came out, good job theres that compatibility button..

[superscaper]

"Hoping to make European users aware of the ballot, Mozilla has launched a dedicated web page designed to encourage consumers to "learn more about choice"."

How is that going to work? Surely the only people that'd come across that page are those looking for or at different browsers anyway?

[Saracen]

The developer of rival browser Firefox has commissioned a survey of 2,000 British web users, and found that a massive 77 per cent are unaware that the browser ballot could soon be making its way to their screens.

What surprises me is that that implies 23% were aware of it, and that astonished me.

I know quite a few people that have been using Windows and PCs for years, and still don't know what IE is, let alone having a choice. And when I point at the E icon, I get "oh, you mean the web. Why didn't you say so?"

[Shooty*]

I moved to Chrome last night as a result of being hit twice by a nasty little thing called av.exe, which poses as a security pack.

I've actually asked Eset to confirm whether their security package is meant to pick up things like av.exe. I was surprised it didn't, but perhaps I misunderstood the scope of their anti-spyware and malicious program protection.

Also downloaded Safari and Firefox. Fairly happy with chrome for the time being, though.

Edit: agree with saracen. And I had no idea this ballot was coming up until yesterday.

[superscaper]

I know quite a few people that have been using Windows and PCs for years, and still don't know what IE is, let alone having a choice. And when I point at the E icon, I get "oh, you mean the web. Why didn't you say so?"

Same here but then that actually also extends to OS itself. Usually the same people. As I saw someone mention somewhere, how long before we have OS ballot screens?

[jim]

I suspect that most people's reaction will be "I like the internet, I want to keep the internet." And hence click on the big e.

OS is synonymous with computer, web browser is synonymous with internet, address bar is synonymous with Google.

[Percy1983]

Personally I am already on firefox and do recommend it. As the friends and family IT advisor I have converted many others to. A good add-on is IE Tab as it lets you switch to the IE engine within firefox and set sites to use it by default if needed.

With that I have found a good use for IE, I have it set to not remember a thing I do so when I wish to view things I don't want on my history I just open IE.

[jim]

Or use Firefox Private Browsing feature and then you don't even need IE for that.

[Percy1983]

That caused problems with sites remembering preferences, either way it works for me.

[Singh400]

I moved to Chrome last night as a result of being hit twice by a nasty little thing called av.exe, which poses as a security pack.

I've actually asked Eset to confirm whether their security package is meant to pick up things like av.exe. I was surprised it didn't, but perhaps I misunderstood the scope of their anti-spyware and malicious program protection.

Also downloaded Safari and Firefox. Fairly happy with chrome for the time being, though.

Edit: agree with saracen. And I had no idea this ballot was coming up until yesterday.

And I've just switched back from Chrome to IE8. Why? I'll tell you why. Chrome after a while loses it edges, and starts to slow down. Try having 20+ tabs open, and flicking to each one. Or perhaps, try watching iPlayer stuff on the BBC site, and Chrome not playing ball.

(it is worth noting that I was using the latest dev branch build, so it may have been a dodgy build)

But for now, I am back in the safe, warm and comfortable hands of IE8.

[usxhe190]

And I've just switched back from Chrome to IE8. Why? I'll tell you why. Chrome after a while loses it edges, and starts to slow down. Try having 20+ tabs open, and flicking to each one. Or perhaps, try watching iPlayer stuff on the BBC site, and Chrome not playing ball.

(it is worth noting that I was using the latest dev branch build, so it may have been a dodgy build)

But for now, I am back in the safe, warm and comfortable hands of IE8.

Firefox and Opera here. I sometimes use IE8 but rarely (usually for business issues).

If you are using Chrome and don't like the privacy issues of that browser, there is SR Iron which strips out all the Google/Skynet issues.

But back on topic, I think Firefox is a little silly but then I guess they need to do what they need to do.

[Timmy!!!]

I suspect that most people's reaction will be "I like the internet, I want to keep the internet." And hence click on the big e.

OS is synonymous with computer, web browser is synonymous with internet, address bar is synonymous with Google.

I'd go one step further. Most people won't have a clue what this browser ballot box means and won't care. If their internet works why change it. They'll either just ignore it and use their PC like they usually do or simpy press the big red cross on the top right.

Personally I really don't see the point in this browser ballot box. We already have the choice to use whatever browser we want - to me this is just patronising.

[TooNice]

I use Firefox, but have IE as my default browser as some sites dont like Firefox, mind you saying that there are lots of sites that dont like IE since v8 came out, good job theres that compatibility button..

I've got the 'View This Page in IE' add on. And that's the main reason I like FF, the many add-ons I would have trouble doing with out. But sometime, it is those very add-on that breaks some part of my browsing experience and until that is identified, being able to view in IE is handy sometime.

[dangel]

In the past six months i've gone:

Opera 10 -> Firefox
Firefox -> Chrome
Chrome -> Opera 10.50

I've tried them all for a good while now and gone back to Opera, especially as the new 10.50 beta is so good on Windows 7.

FF = pros: extensions cons: slow to start, memory hog, bit slow, needs extensions to be useful
Chrome = pros: quick start, generall quick to use, extensions cons: memory hog, privacy considerations, bad installer, needs extensions to be useful, buggy
Opera = pros: quick to start, quicker to use, everything's built in, win7 integration cons: lacks extensions (mitigated by most stuff being there and user scripts)

It's a personal choice but that's where I am now having spent at least a month with each.

[TheAnimus]

Now get ready for the incredibly vocal minority, those ferrit fanciers all crying when 99% of users just stick with what they know.

They will see no benefits for learning a new program.