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21 Oct 2005
Although Microsoft is alleged to refer to it as "the open sores browser" in internal meetings, the Mozilla Foundation yesterday celebrated the 100 millionth download of Firefox.
But while the Mozilla Foundation toasted this achievement with Champagne, and thanked the Firefox community for "reigniting innovation on the web", critics were sceptical of its claimed user base.
Amar Rathore, a Firefox user at Bracknell-based open source software company Countersnipe, told vnunet.com: "I think I make up 10 of its users. Every time I have to update, I seem to register as a new user. So I'm not surprised that Firefox has had 100 million downloads."
The Mozilla Foundation was not entertaining any such negativity, however. " Firefox's download success is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of thousands of contributors worldwide," said a spokesman.
"Their work in developing and fine-tuning the Firefox browser ensures the best web experience available. Volunteer extension developers further enrich Firefox's capabilities by enabling users to customise and enhance their browser and truly take back the web."
After Firefox was released in November 2004 it racked up 50 million downloads in six months. Firefox 1.5 Beta 2, the second test version of the new browser, is due for release before Christmas.
However, industry watchers have reacted with incredulity to the Mozilla Foundation's recently announced plans to launch a weather balloon.
'Firebox One' will be released into the San Francisco smog on Saturday. It will reach an altitude of 100,000ft and release a 14lb payload comprising a large Firefox banner and a CD, along with a camera to take photos of Firefox " at the edge of space", according to insiders.
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Do you agree?
opera better
The feature set of opera is so useful -- NOTES; SAVE SELECTED BOOKMARKS... -- i now use only opera 8 under Damn Small Linux.
Posted by: Harrold Rufus Wertmuller 26 Nov 2005
So much variety - choose Firefox
I use Firefox on XP / XP Professional / Win98SE / Linux. No problems at all expcept in Linux where I can browse quite happily, but setting preferences causes crashes! Firefox is a FAR more flexible browser - the Web Developer extension is worth downloading Firefox for on its own! Having competition for MS is a good thing, and Firefox's security is excellent! Let's not knok what is basically a good product. Also do not forget Opera which is also an EXCELLENT browser as well, and, I seem to recall having read recently, it has no critical security issues.
Posted by: Ed 25 Oct 2005
Went back to Safari
I used Firefox for a few months, but it always seemed to slow down after a few hours of use (unless I restarted). I eventually just went back to Safari.
Posted by: R. Mansfield 23 Oct 2005
Firefox has lost its edge
I converted to Firefox about 8 months ago and found it a better browser than IE. After using it for 7 months and putting up with it crashing, hogging ram, updating it constantly with security fixes which would then put the browser version out of sync with some of the extensions, and then having to update the extensions which were as buggy as the browser. I think Firefox has actually shown a lot of people what crap open sores software usually is. Ive gone back to using IE which I find to be a lot more stable than Firefox and performance is the same or usually better. I'm running IE7 beta and I like it even better. Cheers
Posted by: FF 22 Oct 2005
number of users
Its difficult to quantify the number of users because some people don't even get Firefox from the Mozilla website. Linux and Unix distributors bundle Firefox so there is no need to download it from the Mozilla site. There are also individuals who use one copy of Firefox to install on multiple machines i.e on networks, cutom built PCs etc, I didn't see any mention of that in your article.
Posted by: anonymous coward 21 Oct 2005
I don't know but...
So, one person who commented says that each time he downloads he registers. I don't think I've ever "registered" and I've downloaded the latest version of Firefox each time it has come out. Equally, I keep a copy on our server at work and I know at least 10 people install from that. So do I count as 1 or 10 downloads?
Posted by: Timothy Collins 21 Oct 2005
Stop moaning about this...
No one ever said that there were 100 million users. That said, I have downloaded it only 3 times, yet installed it on dozens of PC's. So the stats are just that. stats. Now, is Firefox a good browser? of course it is. Did Firefox re-ignite the web? just ask Microsoft! They announced IE7 soon after realizing that Firefox was better than IE6, and the public was realizing it too! Is Firefox safer that IE? you bet! Without ActiveX, JScript, and VBScript, you cut off 95% of the malware out there, just for starters! If you like Firefox, great, tell a friend. If you don't like Firefox, explain why... it is open source, and Developers are listening... if you suggest a reasonable feature, or find a legitimate bug, they want to add/fix it, and we will all benifit! Thanks.
Posted by: Tyrone 21 Oct 2005
Usage not downloads...
Everytime there's a security patch you have to download the whole thing. What matters is usage and the estimates I've seen are about 8% of machines on the net.
Posted by: Bud 21 Oct 2005
RE: A few factual errors
Firefox Beta 2 is actually out and Firefox 1.5 is expected in mid November. Additionally, the balloon will actually be launched in Corvalis, Oregon by the Oregon State University Linux User Group and the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium.
Posted by: J Gerbi 21 Oct 2005
How long did it take?
to find someone to give you a negative comment? Is their a slight bias in your "news reporting"?
Posted by: Jim Kissel 21 Oct 2005