Author Archive: Vygantas
Vygantas is a former web designer whose projects are used by companies such as AMD, NVIDIA and departed Westood Studios. Being passionate about software, Vygantas began his journalism career back in 2007 when he founded FavBrowser.com. Having said that, he is also an adrenaline junkie who enjoys good books, fitness activities and Forex trading.
Web Browsers Tactics And Strategies
Today I’ve decided to write a bit, of what should web browsers developers do in order to win or not to lose market share.
This is only my opinion which can be wrong as well. It can also be offensive for some of you.
Internet Explorer – Drop that slow and poorly written Internet Explorer core and develop something good. Internet Explorer is slow, buggy; uses lots of resources, ignores web standards, renders bad, lacks of functionality, etc. It’s just a big piece of software, which sooner or later won’t be used anymore. Develop faster, why are you sleeping? All other companies are much smaller and release/announces new versions more frequency. How that’s possible? Don’t be lazy just cause you have money.
Firefox – Finally fix memory leak bug (some says it’s already a “feature”). Support web standards (glad you will do that in Firefox 3), stop stealing features from other browsers and develop something more on your own.
Opera – Stop crying, that a big part of web developers ignores you. Buy advertising in web developer communities, and just get in touch with them. Build strong relations and explain why they should develop new product not just for IE, Firefox, Safari, and Netscape but also for Opera.
Safari – Not much to say yet. Waiting for the final Safari 3 release. Yes, we know that you’ve invented an iPhone, but who cares?
Netscape, Konqueror and others – Haven’t used them. Why? Make some whispers, get more attention.
Social Network For Software Users
If you enjoy using social networks this might be interesting then.
Wakoopa.com is a social network for software users (more likely fans), so if you are a big fan of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Netscape or what’s so ever, feel free to join there.
I am not sure, what’s the point to join those groups, as all I read was: “I love this browser, the best of the best”, etc… But hey, that’s only my opinion.
Internet Explorer is in the 1st place.
Firefox is in the 2nd place.
Opera is in the 3rd place.
Safari remains 6th.
BrowserShots.org And Opera (Part II)
Yesterday I’ve posted an article “BrowserShots.org Removes Opera?” and would like to update you.
Johann from BrowsherShots.org explained, that they haven’t removed Opera from the website, it’s just because not all the screenshot making machines (with different operating systems and browsers) working all the time.
Thanks Johann.
Apple’s Safari SnapBack Feature For Firefox Users
Recently I’ve wrote, that Opera’s Speed Dial feature was copied by Firefox fans and released as an add-on.
Today I’ve noticed one Firefox add-on (developer: Philipp E. Imhof), which do the same like Safari’s SnapBack feature.
This extension enables you to temporarily save an URL. You may then follow links and go anywhere you want and jump back to the “waypoint” immediately. This is useful e.g. for forums.
Althought I am not a fan of Firefox add-ons or Opera’s widgets, you may find this one usefull.
More details and download link can be found here.
Air Mozilla Returns – Live From Mozilla
Remember Air Mozilla? It returns. As Air Mozilla reported, it goes live Wednesday, July 11 at 2pm PDT/9pm GMT (Flash Player required).
Spread Firefox informed that there should be Michell Baker, Chief Lizard Wranger and CEO at Mozilla.
You may also send your questions to arimozilla@mozilla.com if you want to.
BrowserShots.org Removes Opera?
Today I was taking some screenshots using BrowserShots.org (read more about it here) and noticed that they have added some extra browsers BUT removed Opera 9.21.
Current list looks like this:
Firebird 0.6
Firebird 0.7
Firefox 1.0
Firefox 1.5
Firefox 2.0
Firefox 3.0
Flock 0.7
Iceweasel 2.0
Konqueror 3.5
Mozilla 1.0
Mozilla 1.1
Mozilla 1.2
Mozilla 1.3
Mozilla 1.4
Mozilla 1.5
Mozilla 1.6
Mozilla 1.7
Navigator 4.8
Phoenix 0.1
Phoenix 0.2
Phoenix 0.3
Phoenix 0.4
Phoenix 0.5
SeaMonkey 1.0
SeaMonkey 1.1
Firefox 1.5
Firefox 2.0
MSIE 5.0
MSIE 5.5
MSIE 6.0
MSIE 7.0
Firefox 2.0
Safari 2.0
I wonder if they are just upgrading script or removed for some unknown reasons.
Opera 9.22 Released
I bet everyone expected to see first Opera 9.5 releases, but you will have to wait more. Till now, I have some good news for Opera current and potential users. Opera 9.22 was just released.
Opera 9.22 fixed the following issues:
Bolding in fonts in toolbars and analogs works now.
Also, here are some minor features and upgrades for you:
Microsoft Silverlight plugin now works in Opera.
Bit Torrent upgrade, for example: big files downloading improvements.
UNIX Specified Upgrades:
Shared memory is turned off by default now.
Download:
Windows MSI
Windows Classic
Macintosh
Unix
Please note: this is not a final release, it’s just another weekly version. Use it on your own risk or just wait for the final release.
Opera Users Information
Very long time ago Opera team offered an ability to enable or disable “Usage Statistics Report”, which reports preferences, features usage and so on, today we have some results.
Quite a few users are using widgets.
Features like “Fit to width” and “Open windows instead of tabs” are not very popular. When I am using Opera, I don’t use them as well.
51% of the Opera users (who shares usage statistics) change their home page.
Status bar seems very popular feature, not a big surprise. Everyone loves it.
A lot of people using tons of bookmarks, over 300 and more, average bookmarks folder is 17.
This kind of usage statistics sharing is pretty good I think. Now they know where they wasted time by adding some no needed features and where they should concentrate more.
Funny Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Alpha Screenshot (Fake)
Some kind of Office 2007 GUI and … I don’t know. Just a fake screen.
I wonder if anyone thinks that it is a real one (I hope not).
Click to enlarge.
I must say, someone got nice imagination ;-)
Mozilla Firefox & eBay – Firefox eBay Edition
I basically enjoy most of the steps which are being made by Mozilla company to promote Firefox. Their tactics is pretty impressive. This time they surelly will get VERY MUCH boost from eBay and their new product: Firefox eBay Edition.
It’s not just like: dear users, please spread the word… Nah, they are already getting support from one of the big guys (Google). Time for another one, right? While all other browsers expect IE (which is big enough) waiting for few percents increase, Mozilla thinks big. I can’t wait to see how much of the market share they will grab this month.
You can download it here.
