The Alternative Browser Alliance

Monday, 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

I'm working on a new browser switch site, with a bit of a twist. It's promoting all alternative browsers (Opera included, of course!), kind of like Browse Happy, but a bit more inclusive and aimed at a slightly different audience.

The idea is that a diverse browser "market" -- one with three or four major browser suppliers all competing with each other -- is the best way to maintain innovation and security. Anyone following the classic browser wars, the lull in IE development, and the sudden appearance of IE7 can see the difference competition makes for innovation. As for security... If someone can hit 90% of the world's computers by hitting IE on Windows, we're in trouble. But if they have to hit 30% each on IE, Firefox, and Opera, and even those are split among Windows, Mac and Linux, it's a lot more effort for the bad guys.

Anyway, here's the first (public) draft of the Alternative Browser Alliance. At this stage I'm looking for all kinds of feedback. Layout, message, is it too wordy, too vague, too specific, etc. Please take a look and let me know what you think!

Thanks!

Too many blogs!

Comments

Great! This looks like a useful site, and quite accurate AFAIKS.

I don't think it is too wordy, though it might be for those a really short attention span.

The chronology is a bit off: Opera (and Netcaptor) didn't start innovating in 2001

In fact, I can't recall much innovation of Netcaptor apart from the tabbed browsing, which was definitely done before 2001. But I can understand why you mention it, if only to defuse Opera and Firefox fanboys.

Addition: Opera is available for 34 euros in Europe.

By Rijk, # 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

Thanks! Good point on the chronology. I was going for a thematic transition, but I guess it doesn't quite fit...

Also, thanks for the Euro price. I'd looked for it, but I guess I wasn't looking in the right place.

By Kelson, # 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

I really liked your site and please feel supported. I've been using Firefox since it came bundled with Linux distributions, before that I used Mozilla.

I also have Opera installed, but Firefox's still my favourite. I can't wait to see Internet Explorer 7 (not because I like it, but because I want to see if they've already made the improvents they should've done since version 5).

BTW, Netscape was (?) cross platform. I have Netscape 7 for Linux but can't find NS8.

By eztigma, # 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

I forgot,

I'm placing your banner on my website <http://www.eztigma.tk>

By eztigma, # 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

Thanks for the comments, and for the link!

By Kelson, # 11. July 2005, 07:05:49

Great, but I think Opera is the only browser worth mentionning!

By Jadd, # 28. March 2006, 19:03:38

I noticed that when i change my user agent string to firefox, a big firefox banner loads in the right side.
Opera,or IE , nothing.

By zoligrg89, # 6. June 2007, 16:28:30

Actually, the Firefox banner only appears if the UA is Firefox 1 or less. It's an upgrade banner, to encourage people on older versions to move up to the current one.

By Kelson, # 6. June 2007, 16:34:49