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20 Years Ago Today: 'Firefox Browser Takes on Microsoft' (archive.org) 50

Posted by EditorDavid from the rising-like-Phoenix dept.
A 2002 Slashdot post informed the world that "Recently Blake Ross, a developer of the Phoenix web browser, has made a post on the Mozillazine forums looking for a new name for the project. Apparently the people over at Phoenix Technologies decided that the name interferes with their trademark since they make an 'internet access device'..."

And then, on November 9 of 2004, the BBC reported that "Microsoft's Internet Explorer has a serious rival in the long-awaited Firefox 1.0 web browser, which has just been released." Their headline? "Firefox Browser Takes on Microsoft." Fans of the software have banded together to raise cash to pay for an advert in the New York Times announcing that version 1.0 of the browser is available. ["Are you fed up with your browser? You're not alone...."] The release of Firefox 1.0 on 9 November might even cause a few heads to turn at Microsoft because the program is steadily winning people away from the software giant's Internet Explorer browser.

Firefox has been created by the Mozilla Foundation which was started by former browser maker Netscape back in 1998... Earlier incarnations, but which had the same core technology, were called Phoenix and Firebird. Since then the software has been gaining praise and converts, not least because of the large number of security problems that have come to light in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Rivals to IE got a boost in late June when two US computer security organisations warned people to avoid the Microsoft program to avoid falling victim to a serious vulnerability.

Internet monitoring firm WebSideStory has charted the growing population of people using the Firefox browser and says it is responsible for slowly eroding the stranglehold of IE. Before July this year, according to WebSideStory, Internet Explorer was used by about 95% of web surfers. That figure had remained static for years. In July the IE using population dropped to 94.7% and by the end of October stood at 92.9%. The Mozilla Foundation claims that Firefox has been downloaded almost eight million times and has publicly said it would be happy to garner 10% of the Windows- using, net-browsing population.

Firefox is proving popular because, at the moment, it has far fewer security holes than Internet Explorer and has some innovations lacking in Microsoft's program. For instance, Firefox allows the pages of different websites to be arranged as tabs so users can switch easily between them. It blocks pop-ups, has a neat way of finding text on a page and lets you search through the pages you have browsed...
Firefox celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special video touting new and upcoming features like tab previews, marking up PDFs, and tab grouping.

And upgrading to the latest version of Firefox now displays this message on a "What's New" page. "Whether you just downloaded Firefox or have been with us since the beginning, you are a vital part of helping us make the internet a better place.

"We can't wait to show you what's coming next." ("Check out our special edition wallpapers — open a new tab and click the gear icon at the top right corner...")

20 Years Ago Today: 'Firefox Browser Takes on Microsoft' More | Reply

20 Years Ago Today: 'Firefox Browser Takes on Microsoft'

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  • What did they think would happen? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Pseudonymous Powers ( 4097097 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @10:53AM (#64932983)
    Hey, I remember Firefox! That was that browser that wasn't being strangled to death because it's primary sponsor wasn't its direct competition, right?

  • I hope they can find their way again (Score:5, Insightful)

    by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Saturday November 09, 2024 @10:56AM (#64932997) Homepage Journal

    Firefox is immensely important to me, I'm using it right now. But they have become an ads company, their mobile browser leaks memory, and they are neglecting thunderbird. They don't need our money any more, but they've also turned more than half into what they are our alternative to. There are not many actually different browsers out of there, so it's not just me that Firefox is important to. How can we convince them to prioritize quality?

    • Re:I hope they can find their way again (Score:5, Informative)

      by thegarbz ( 1787294 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @02:47PM (#64933521)

      and they are neglecting thunderbird

      Thunderbird desktop literally just got a major version release (ESR at that) 5 months ago and has 13 releases since, including 4 point releases (not just bug fixes).
      Thunderbird mobile got a major version release 5 days ago.

      Really not sure what you're talking about here.

      • Ooh, it got a few releases after years of neglect

        Talk to me again when it's a pattern

        • A few releases = 2+ years of active development and releases, with a lot of new features added. That's a pattern.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      One thing I've found with Firefox is that old profiles get clogged up. It helps to start a new one every few years.

      The mobile version has fixed a lot of perfoy issues in the last year or so, and apart from the UI still being inferior to Chrome is now probably the best Android browser. I don't have memory leak issues.

    • Firefox is immensely important to me, I'm using it right now. But they have become an ads company

      Quick and serious question, how are they supposed to fund/pay the developers and staff that build Firefox and Thunderbird?

      We know that hardly anyone donates, and a modern web browser is perhaps more complex than even an operating system, which everyone knows requires significant resources. Another problem is that unlike an OS, the web browser is constantly evolving every few months with new specs added for javascript / css / etc, not to mention the ongoing battle to trim memory, increase performance, fix se

      • Quick and serious question, how are they supposed to fund/pay the developers and staff that build Firefox and Thunderbird?

        Tell us you know absolutely nothing about the state of financing for Mozilla without telling us. They are sitting on absolute piles of money. They could easily afford to hire developers to fix the problems.

        without a central foundation and management structure and only a handful of volunteer devs, it will inevitably cause infighting (like Linux) and cause Firefox to split into a thousand forks, each with 1 or 2 devs working on a segmented version (like distros).

        That is a normal pattern. Most of the forks die, some of them merge, and then you get one or two working projects.

    • But they have become an ads company

      Ads how? I run Firefox and Thunderbird on a daily basis, both on desktop and mobile and they served me no ads so far.

  • Firefox is Still Best (Score:5, Insightful)

    by RossCWilliams ( 5513152 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @11:04AM (#64933021)
    I have used Firefox for most of its existence. The only time I use anything else is when my android phone uses Chrome without asking or a site forces me to switch because it doesn't work with Firefox. I don't know that will continue to be an option as more sites stop supporting it. Its interesting how the open standards of the internet are morphing into a system of proprietary monopolies dedicated to monetizing content.

    • Re:Firefox is Still Best (Score:5, Insightful)

      by markdavis ( 642305 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @11:51AM (#64933139)

      >"Its interesting how the open standards of the internet are morphing into a system of proprietary monopolies dedicated to monetizing content."

      You mostly just described the "IE-Only" era, except then it wasn't monetizing content, but trying to force people to use 100% of a single company's products. Either way, Microsoft was very evil- creating "standards" that were not standards, ignoring actual standards, and "misinterpreting" others. And it was absolutely intentional, to try and lock people into their proprietary ecosystem.

      Today we are starting to see Google do the same thing. They 100% control the base that is all multiplatform browers, EXCEPT Firefox (and its few minor offshoots). And they have flexed their muscles and will continue to do so, creating "standards" that aren't, and their own "interpretation" of actual standards. And it is as scary this time as it was back with in the IE-Only era. Maybe even more, since so much more depends on an open web now.

      Firefox set us free from the IE-Only area. And they are mostly the only one left trying to prevent a Chom*-only era. It is up to all of us to insist that sites code to standards, not browsers, and to not tell us "we only support XXX" or "works best with XXXX". That is about the same as telling me to take some job there, I must buy and drive a Honda whatever on the road. Or if I want to call and talk to a business on the phone, I must use an iPhone. It is disgusting, and consumers and businesses should not tolerate it.

      So, please do use Firefox. And if you do come across some site that has problems or tries to dictate what browser you must use- complain LOUDLY to them in every way that you can and that matters. I left my bank for a different bank precisely due to such crap, and I made absolutely sure they were aware of why I did. It won't take much customer loss for most companies to panic and ask their IT department why they are being unnecessarily consumer hostile. At work, contracts have been lost to those wanting to sell services to us that are not actual standards-compliant.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Pieroxy ( 222434 )

        While I would like your post to be true, the only thing preventing us from a Chrome monopoly isn't Firefox but Safari which still has a double digit market share thanks to its stronghold on the Apple ecosystem. Too bad it's such a piece of junk.

        https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share [statcounter.com]

        • >"the only thing preventing us from a Chrome monopoly isn't Firefox but Safari"

          To a certain extent, that is true (and I probably should have mentioned that, with disclaimers). Safari is only a choice on Apple equipment and is also not open. So that means it can't ever offer the *possible* pushback that Firefox could (even if it isn't at the moment). (Of course, there is the thing about iphones, where regardless of what you "choose" to run, you are actually still running Safari.)

          And a surprising amount

    • I have been using this DNA since the first "Netscape Navigator" waaaaay back before we even had "frames" and other such sophisticated concepts.

      It's not perfect but nothing has managed to lure me away in all those years. Yes, I was an early-adopter of the internet and remember paying for access at the rate of $10 per megabyte way back in the day and putting up with horrifically slow dial-up modem speeds.

      [Obligatory "Ah... kids today..." statement]

      • Used Navigator as well, though probably not as long as you did. I stopped with the version which mangled everything (4.9?). I then went to Phoenix 0.8 and from there to Firefox.

        And yes, this was all on dial-up as well.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        Chrome has been faster pretty much from the very start. Firefox occasionally makes up some ground, but never catches up.

        How much that matters depends how big the gap is right now. When it was huge it started to become a real issue, but these days it's negligible most of the time.

        Firefox uses a bit more battery, but makes up for it by supporting uBlock Origin which saves battery. The danger is they fall behind again.

        I watched the video, most of it looks like stuff I'll disable and never use. Don't really wan

  • That's the alternate headline of the future I'd like to see. But in reality Firefox is too comfortable with their Google search revenue, they are not willing to take real risks anymore. That's why I support true new entrants to the market like Ladybird and The Browser Company. Mozilla abandoned risky ventures like FirefoxOS and more powerful extensions. I remember when Firefox used to be the cool browser, now it seems like a infomercial browser going on about privacy yet offering sponsored links to ad comp

    • Re:2044: 20 years ago today Firefox takes on Googl (Score:5, Interesting)

      by markdavis ( 642305 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @11:58AM (#64933159)

      >"That's why I support true new entrants to the market like Ladybird and The Browser Company."

      I am also excited about TRUE browser diversity. We need at least three strong, standards-based, multiplatform, open-source browsers that have nothing to do with each other. I would prefer more, yet 3 is a lot better than 2.

      But for now, the ONLY way to try and prevent a complete web takeover by Chrom*/Google is to use Firefox as much as possible. I don't care how "cool" it is, or that they have a few easily-turned off sponsor things in it. It is stable, fast, secure, and mostly independent. The UI has more options and far more with userChrome. Could it be better? Yes. But it is *NOT* worse than Chrom*.

      Slashdot users/readers are not the typical users of anything. But you can bet many friends, family, coworkers, and managers do look to us to help them decide about technology. We should be supporting open code and open standards as much as possible when making recommendations, and set good examples ourselves.

  • Open Source won the Browser Wars (Score:4, Insightful)

    by cheesybagel ( 670288 ) on Saturday November 09, 2024 @11:38AM (#64933103)

    First with Gecko/Firefox and then with KHTML/Webkit/Chrome.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by allo ( 1728082 )

      Chrome is not Open Source, only Chromium is, and it is missing a few of the Chrome features.
      Even worse, Chromium is more like "source available", or do you have the impression that Google really collaborates with the community? The source is there, but the open source development process is not.

      • >"Chromium is more like "source available", or do you have the impression that Google really collaborates with the community? The source is there, but the open source development process is not."

        The Chromium project is certainly not a collaborate or open project. Google 100% controls every bit that does or doesn't go into it, and when, and how. They might accept suggestions, but it is not like most large open-source projects.

        And to those who think Google doesn't really control non-Google browsers based

  • I am using IE 6 and it is not loading all the elements and looks funny.

    Can the author fix by the end of the weekend?

    Sincerely, PHB who is not technically literate

    Thanks

  • an ode to browsers of yore (Score:5, Funny)

    by rocket rancher ( 447670 ) <themovingfinger@gmail.com> on Saturday November 09, 2024 @04:03PM (#64933647)

    Here’s a roll call of browsers, dedicated to the gods of the internet. May it please Slashdot’s discerning eye...

    Hear ye, O gods of the internet realm, we sing of browsers, bold and overwhelmed. From humble Lynx to Chrome's iron reign, here follows their story, in verse and in pain.

    Lynx, the first in our text-only lore, scrolling like stone tablets, from days of yore. No images, no scripts, just pure ASCII delight, still lurking in terminals, cloaked from sight.

    WorldWideWeb, then Nexus reborn, Tim’s tool of creation, first threads to be worn. A browser, a browser—no rivals back then, til Mosaic stormed in, for the eyes of all men.

    Mosaic begat Netscape, the navigator supreme, it ruled the '90s, the net surfer’s dream. But enter the giant, with dollars galore, and lo, Internet Explorer crashed through the door.

    Explorer, O Explorer, champion of pain, standards ignored, yet dominant you reigned. Microsoft’s might held us all in thrall, until the day Firefox answered the call.

    Firefox rose from Mozilla’s pyre, open source flames that would not tire. To crush the blue "E," it fought without rest, winning the hearts of geeks and the blessed.

    Safari, Apple’s shiny knight, fast on the Mac, polished and light. But trapped in the orchard, so few knew its name, while Google prepared for its rise to fame.

    Then Chrome came charging, with memory to burn, fast and sleek, yet RAM it did spurn. With extensions and sync, Google’s army did win, though it gobbled your RAM and snuck your data within.

    Oh Opera, the innovator’s crown, tabbed browsing and speed dials, they were your renown. A true hipster’s browser, beloved and unique, but Chrome’s mighty shadow made you antique.

    And HotJava, the Sun-kissed child, for Java applets, once versatile and wild. Its fate was to fade, like a summer day, in the graveyard of browsers, where few stray.

    Flock, the social butterfly’s dream, linked to MySpace in the first social stream. But Facebook arrived and made MySpace flee, leaving Flock floundering in Web 2.0 debris.

    SeaMonkey suite, the jack of all trades, browser and mail, where few upgrades wade. For those who seek “all in one” in their quest, still hanging on by a loyalist’s zest.

    Edge, reborn from IE’s shame, a “legacy” start but rebuilt for the game. Microsoft’s redemption, yet Chromium-based, in the court of Slashdot, its motives debased.

    Konqueror, KDE’s pride and king, file manager, browser, an all-in-one thing. It lives on in Linux, steadfast and proud, while the others around it fade to the crowd.

    Brave, the warrior of privacy’s creed, with ad-blocking armor and a speed-focused steed. Yet funded by crypto, it raised some alarm, a hero to some, to others a harm.

    Vivaldi, born of Opera’s fall, customizable, niche, answering the call. For power users who tweak and who bend, Vivaldi’s saga may never end.

    Comodo Dragon, Yandex, Iron in tow, niche browsers of Chromium, too small to grow. Each with a twist, a security flair, but Chrome’s juggernaut left them gasping for air.

    And the gods did laugh as the browsers did fight, from Netscape to Firefox, in open-source light. Microsoft conquered, then fell to Chrome’s greed, while each browser in turn had its moment, indeed.

    O Firefox, thou champion still bold, for twenty brave years, your story is told. To all fallen browsers, we raise a glass, in honor of features that didn’t quite last.

    In memory and humor, we gather this day, for the browsers who ruled, then faded away. To the gods of the internet, our tribute is sung, for the browsers we loved—long may they run!

  • > new and upcoming features like tab previews, marking up PDFs, and tab grouping. Those aren't difference makers. the real difference maker is picture-in-picture videos. that's a very bfd. having the video you watch follow you if you go on a different tab? and then follow you if you go to a different program? and still be on top if you maximize the window of the other program? absolutely positively priceless! https://support.mozilla.org/en... [mozilla.org]
    • I fixed the paragraph breaks...

      > new and upcoming features like tab previews, marking up PDFs, and tab grouping.

      Those aren't difference makers. the real difference maker is picture-in-picture videos. that's a very bfd. having the video you watch follow you if you go on a different tab? and then follow you if you go to a different program? and still be on top if you maximize the window of the other program? absolutely positively priceless!

      https://support.mozilla.org/en... [mozilla.org]

  • I have been using it since it was called Netscape Navigator.

  • My name is in there, still have the PDF of it somewhere. Still use Firefox daily, and ever grateful it's available as an alternative to Chrome based browsers.
  • Microsoft tried and failed to get an exclusive license for the NTSC browser. After previously approaching the Regents of the University of California to license the Mosaic code. Subsequent to that Microsoft licensed the Spyglass browser and gave it away with Windows. Spyglass subsequently went bankrupt.

  • "Constantly ripping out useful features so they can be replaced by useless garbage. Remember that time when they had two completely unrelated (and useless) features, one called "Persona" and the other called "Personas" "

    When software starts appealing to emotions this is a sign that quality is about to take a dip. And the more tech/"geek" aspects are either going to be hidden or removed altogether.

    Your Craftsman is morphing into Playskool.

  • I remember how 20 years ago I used the Mozilla Suite, Firefox (Phoenix/Firebird) was released and I hated it: The UI was pretty much a copy of Internet Explorer, it had no email apps and I needed that... It was and ugly useless toy promoted by its fans with the main argument it started faster than the full suite.

    After a while my distro (yes, I used Linux for my desktop even then) forced a switch of the main browser from the Suite to Firefox, which became more palatable with the apparition of Thunderbird.

    Fas

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