The majority of the computer users in the world probably spend more time considering which pair of shoes to wear to work than which browser to surf the World Wide Web. Most are content just using the browser software that came with their system; after all, it gets them where they want to go and typically handles the tasks that are requested of it after arriving at their destination. Unlike typical software, i.e. word processors, spreadsheets, etc., where users expect new features with each major release, the browser is void of these expectations due in some part to user apathy. This begs the question of whether the average “Joe Consumer” computer user should really care about which browser he uses. I believe he should, and here’s why.

The Most Used Application

Out of all the software applications that are installed on the average user’s computer, the Web browser is the one application that will garner the most use over time. With this being the case, it would stand to reason that the user would want the best possible software to handle this routine task; however, this has just not been the situation. The reasons for this are many, at least too many to cover in this brief article, but I would venture to say it is a combination of user apathy/ignorance about browser choices, Microsoft’s supremacy in the marketplace, and the inability of alternative browser manufacturers to get the word out about their products.

New Features

Microsoft controls the browser market mostly due to their dominance of the desktop computer operating system market. In many ways, Microsoft’s success has caused them to become complacent, resulting in their failure to introduce the types of new features that many of their competitors are now offering. Some of these features include tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, RSS support, extensive customization, and a myriad of other features.

Security

Just a couple of months ago, many of the leading technology writers and security experts strongly encouraged users of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser to consider using an alternative Web browser. This plea was made because of serious security concerns they had about the company’s browser as it related to newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Whether Microsoft’s browser is really more insecure than the browsers offered by their competitors has been the focus of much debate. What can be stated is that Microsoft’s browser is known to have more vulnerabilities than any of the other alternative browsers on the market.

The Browser Alternative

There is a fairly good size contingent that uses alternative web browsers for various reasons. Some just want to be different and don’t want to use the standard browser that 99% of the computer user population is using. Others are more interested in making a political statement by using anything other than a Microsoft product. Whatever your reason, using an alternative browser can open your eyes to many of the new features and capabilities that exist with a non-Microsoft browser.

Just as with any of your other applications, the browser you choose should be the one that best fits your particular needs. Despite what Microsoft might have you believe, there is not a one-size-fits-all browser. If you’re using Internet Explorer, you’re only seeing the World Wide Web through Microsoft’s glasses. Try one of the alternatives listed below and you may be pleasantly surprised. [ocomik]

Mozilla: www.mozilla.org
Opera: www.opera.com
Netscape: www.netscape.com
Konqueror: www.konqueror.org