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Friday, 11 May 2012

Low expectations: 2012 Browsers, Internet Explorer, and Usage

Posted on 07:09 by Unknown

Categories: Techtoday

 

Being predominantly a Linux user, I run the pre-installed Mozilla Firefox (currently at version 12) for Linux, Google Chrome or its brethren Chromium.  In an enterprise environment, Internet Explorer 8 and 9 have both been unavoidable for obvious reasons, but Chrome is becoming easily accessible even on IT-maintained workstations (use portableapps or install it manually).  Strangely enough, it is only on a Mac that I don't use the default browser - I find Safari uncomfortably unfriendly for some reason.

 

I find it odd I'm still drawn to Ars Technica's regular articles on browser usage and colorful pie charts depicting incremental changes in browser adoption.  Truth is, I'm no longer surprised by Google Chrome's popularity and inevitable dominance and in fact cheer on Internet Explorer's minimal gains (IE is both an "underdog" and a comeback king at the moment).  For years, IE has gained the ignoble reputation for being a transitional application for downloading Mozilla Firefox and/or Google Chrome.  IE's long and storied history makes it easy to take cheap shots at its features and numerous issues.  In fact, dumping the Internet Explorer name alone would merit immaterial gains (not concrete changes) for Microsoft.  Sadly, Windows 8 and IE10's unusual combination will no doubt bring back the golden days of muttering obscenities against IE and Microsoft.

 

That said, here's my unsolicited opinion regarding the technical aspects of browser usage:

 

1.  Plug-ins and Extension - I'm not a power-user by any stretch of the imagination when it comes to browsers.  In fact, the only plug-in I've installed in the last couple of years is a video downloader for Firefox - and even then I hardly use it.  I've always been awed by Opera's superfluous plugins, but never used them during my brief flirtation with the cross-platform browser.  When IE introduced Accelerators years ago, I never quite understood what it was for.  Google Chrome solved at least one regular issue I have with browsers - integrated Flash support.  

 

 

 

2. Web compatibility - Web page standards and its adoption in browsers is a complicated affair.  Apart from YouTube and a few popular news sources, most of the web sites I regularly visit are built on non-sexy text, XHTML, CSS, and a bit of Javascript.  I'm just happy if a browser doesn't crash on a site I frequent.  Firefox, Chrome, and yes, IE are solid.  Konqueror (in Linux) and Opera are the only two browsers that have really failed to open a few sites such as Newsarama.com and Channelnewsasia properly. 

 

3.  Browser speed - Having lived through the Dark Ages of dial-up, web page loading times are generally a non-issue.  I instinctively accept that it's the network or service that cripples a browser's rendering time.  Many technical aspects, after all, contribute to slow browsing speed, including PC or OS performance and network structure, locations, etc. 

 

4. Stability - Everyone gripes about browsers taking too long to launch.  With the immense power and RAM in machines today, we can't believe it takes awhile for it to pop up.  In my case, IE and Firefox are guilty of this and it is these two browsers that are guilty of the most crashes, mostly due to Flash.  Chrome isn't perfect either, with most browser shutdowns caused by the integrated PDF reader.  I'm fairly satisfied with Firefox, IE9, and Google Chrome and I'm only slightly disgruntled when they crash on sites I visit daily.  In fact, it's been a long, long time since I've had to troubleshoot a browser, even IE. 

 

 

 

5.  Aesthetics - The visual innovations of browsers have plateaued due to Chrome's minimalistic approach.  Logically, browser developers probably can't innovate appearances anymore than they already have.  Internet Explorer 10's integration with Windows 8 Metro is a risky approach, taking up an almost invisible quality.  I struggled with using the Metro controls in a Windows 8 Consumer Preview installation, but then I'm strictly old-school (I have trouble with touch screens).  Firefox, Safari, and Chrome still retain the traditional look of browsers with features still recognizable from the early days of Netscape Navigator – which can mean browser design may have been perfected years ago.  Will Microsoft's risky turn prove fatal for IE?  Considering Microsoft's rep these days, they really have nothing to lose and I, for one, hope for the best.  After all, who would have thought touchscreens would ever be all the rage? 

 

 

 

A Long Way

 

On a Windows machine, IE8 or IE9 are actually dependable primary browsers.  I agree wholeheartedly with reviews reporting that gone are the days when using IE meant being plagued every millisecond by pop-ups, pop-unders, menu bars, etc.  It's about time users give it another try despite our Chrome habits.  On the other hand, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox' consistency in Mac, Windows, and Linux make them both excellent browsers in their own right and it's only a matter of preference to choose one over the other.

 

As important as a browser is in daily use or in one's productivity workflow, browser preference isn't nearly as earth-shaking as the Mac vs. Linux vs. Windows debate or the iOS vs. Android fiasco.  As long as servers all over the world continue to run, your browser will continue to do what they were built to do - browse the huge repository of data called the Internet. 

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