As an IT Director for some years, I can tell you why IE got to be the predominant browser. It was only peripherally due to functionality. It was due to price. When Netscape was still charging for their software, it was tough to put together a budget that allocated money to a web browser. That was the defining moment of the shift and it was due to Microsoft having the monopoly on operating systems. The revenue from the OS allowed them to pour money into developing their other software.
Frankly, I still use Netscape 4.x (can't remember the exact version) at home because I like the way it displays tables and text better than IE. I use IE 6.0 at work and still like the Netscape layout better. With that said, ALL of my installations on the windows OS include Office and IE because then when it breaks, I can say, hey, it's all your software, tell me how to fix it. It's like useing an HP printer. No one can tell you the software isn't written for it. just my $.02 Hutch White -----Original Message----- From: Ben Johansen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 1:11 PM To: Multiple recipients of list witango-talk Subject: RE: Witango-Talk: IE browser share now 93% in 2002 (Off topic news) I feel IE got to this level with sheer functionality. If Netscape had kept up with functionality then the numbers would be more evenly split down religious lines ;-) Remember, Netscape was put on the side burner and then 6 came out trying to catch up with M$. People will stay where there is support, so when NS was sidelined people moved over to IE. I have the Netscape 7 pr1 release installed and it looks like it will give IE a good challenge. I personally wished there was only one browser, because programming for a common level, takes time and you loose functionality and integration. Just my thoughts Ben Johansen - http://www.pcforge.com Authorized Witango Reseller http://www.pcforge.com/WitangoGoodies.htm Latest downloads & List Archives @ http://www.witango.ws -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Nicholas Froome Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 10:37 AM To: Multiple recipients of list witango-talk Subject: Re: Witango-Talk: IE browser share now 93% in 2002 (Off topic news) I agree with both sides of this argument. I would, being a Macintosh user and a Libran... But is it the developer's job to decide what platforms a solution is built for? That should be dictated by the client, based on cost and audience And I think it's at that point that developers should then lobby to build in support for all platforms and for all users. A 93% share is a difficult number in every way - it might tempt some clients to ignore the 7%, but then we're all going to end up at the mercy of Microsoft. Not somewhere I want to be! Interesting that the non-Microsoft browser share is bigger than the Apple share of the PC market. Food for thought! ________________________________________________________________________ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send a plain text/US ASCII email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe witango-talk in the message body ________________________________________________________________________ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send a plain text/US ASCII email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe witango-talk in the message body ________________________________________________________________________ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send a plain text/US ASCII email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe witango-talk in the message body
