Mozilla Chairman Speaks on Open Source/Microsoft

ChrisMDP writes "Tom's Hardware has an interesting interview with Mitch Kapor, the chairman of the Mozilla Foundation. They discuss, amongst other things, what it's like competing with Microsoft, and Firefox as an operating system." From the interview: "Pragmatically, I think we have to distinguish between a base set of extensions and everything else. It gets progressively more difficult to create seamless solutions when there are nearly infinite possibilities for customization and tweaking of settings. There's a basic tension in principle that can never be completely resolved."

Comments

A few clicks...

[jav1231]

He talks about it taking just a "few clicks" to get Flash, RP, and other plugins working. Obviously he's not talking about Firefox on Linux. Flash, sure. It's probably the single easiest plugin to get to work. Most other plugins cannot be installed with the "follow this link to install the plugin" option at all. If they do manage to install, they don't seem to be able to find your plugins directory. Don't get me wrong, I love Firefox (though those 1-2 second pauses are annoying) but there needs to be some type of search in the installer to find the plugins directories. Couple that with Real Player unable to give me video on half of the Real Player content I find and you wonder what's going on. Though, that wouldn't be a Firefox issue, I know.

Say the wrong thing

[IGnatius T Foobar]

Owwch.

"and Firefox as an operating system."

Doesn't Mitch know that it's almost exactly that statement that caused Microsoft to launch its slaughterfest against Netscape when Marc Andreesen said it?

xul

[codepunk]

Now give me a ide and some documentation so that I can create xul apps. The biggest push should be to get a xul ide together to help extend and push the platform. I don't care if it is written in xul or python or whatever, don't point me to xul maker either it looks like ass and is being developed way to slowly. I love firefox now make it damn easy for me to build cool xul apps.

Getting end users converted to Firefox...

[Krankheit]

I have noticed that the teacher's computers where I am attending are loaded with spyware. They were all using Internet Explorer. A few switched over to Firefox right after I told them MSIE lets spyware in. But most couldn't care less. Finally, I found something that is getting the others to switch over. I ask them "Would you use a web browser created by a convicted monopolist?" They always say "No." Then I tell them they are using one (Internet Explorer). This gets there interest and then I get them to download and switch over to Firefox.

Re:Replacing IE

[Pionar]

*sigh* You know, maybe people are just creatures of habit. Just because they are doesn't mean they're stupid. I tried getting my mother to switch to firefox. She honestly tried it for a few days and said, "meh, it's not worth learning something new when the old thing works just fine for me." Ok, that's fair. While they're not radically different in UI terms, as far as setting preferences, managing downloads and such, they're worlds apart. (I think firefox is easier to set preferences in - except for the ones you can only get to with about:config).

But, I'm not going to say she's stupid. So the best thing I can do as a conscientious son is to make sure she knows safe browsing habits and keeps her computer up to date. For a 45 year old woman who'd never used a computer until about two years ago, her ability to spot something that isn't right is remarkable. She's never had a virus or spyware.

Now if I could just get her to stop asking if I'm there when she gets my voicemail, I'd be set.

why only talk good about firefox ?

[krayfx]

before i start my argument, here's my disclaimer:
- i use firefox for all my browsing needs, on both linux and windows, been using firefox since it was in all its previous avatars - firebird, phoenix, mozilla, netscape...yawn, and the umpteen names. happy the way it handles things.
- i switched from thunderbird to opera 'cos thunderbird doesnt have a decent mbox import utility, and although complicated - opera mail is really cool - with plenty of shortkeyys to work with.
- i have a relatively decent config - amd 64 3000+, asus k8n, 512mb pc3200 ddr, geforce 2 gfx, soundblaster, 160 gb sata hdd - so its not like the machine might be an impediment for smooth running of firefox
------------------------here goes----------
- i have praised firefox enough to many people, i have evangelised firefox in browsing centres, replaced IE on many desktops at my friends and relatives' place. so why always, only talk good about firefox? there should be a fair share of critical reviews too! i have a few grouses to air, although, this is not the firefox forum.
1. the extensions management is really bad in firefox, i have been persistently having troubles with management of extensions - some of them refuse to get installed. changing versions - the plugins do not work on upgrading to the latest and the greatest release. the plugin/ extension writers are way too slow many times to upgrade. question of holes left by the extensions - lack of validity/ checks on the third party extensions. the recent inclusion of auto extension updation doesnt always work .
2. bookmarks - why does the bookmark disappear when the browser crashes occasionally ? this is really hopeless. yes, i know there's an extension to fix it , bookmark backup - but why isnt it built in ? while browsing with multiple tabs, sometimes, the bookmarks in the toolbar act strange, and loads in a corner. the bookmark bugs have made many people go back to IE or switch to opera.
3. java is a pain - as it loads - is persistent. sometimes an impediment while opening multiple tabs. slows down the whole experience. the cache is like a giant leak. as you adblock many ads along the way - after a period the ad block management gets heavier, and confused sort of. (not really a firefox's fault)

these three have been a thorn in the flesh since ages. i will not be switching to any other browser, but its like - firefox isnt the undisputed king, nor is it enough to wish IE away. i hope that firefox writers will concentrate on fixing the issues - small number of manageable extensions, better plugin management, it has to be consistent even with point releases - apparently a large part of thier user-base - i am sure is an "intelligent" user - who upgrades with every point release - as shown by the large number of people who upgraded from preview release to final release. i hope mitch is listening!

Re:Good line

[MMMDI]

I'd be inclined to agree as well. Stats come from my own site, linked up above below my name. Note that my audience is far from being a tech-savvy crowd for the most part.


Browser / Total Uniques / Browser Percentage
Dec. 2004
MS Internet Explorer 5804579 80.7%
Firefox 682022 9.4%
Unknown 314979 4.3%
Opera 102336 1.4%
Netscape 101781 1.4%
Mozilla 100551 1.3%
Safari 74319 1%
Konqueror 4194 0%
Firebird (Old Firefox) 1792 0%
Phoenix 1419 0%
Others 3177 0%

Jan. 2005
MS Internet Explorer 5461478 79.8%
Firefox 716106 10.4%
Unknown 269946 3.9%
Opera 108339 1.5%
Mozilla 101918 1.4%
Netscape 94016 1.3%
Safari 73714 1%
Konqueror 6146 0%
Firebird (Old Firefox) 1769 0%
Lynx 1052 0%
Others 3040 0%

Feb. 2005
MS Internet Explorer 3527555 76.7%
Firefox 571325 12.4%
Unknown 231353 5%
Netscape 77205 1.6%
Opera 68264 1.4%
Mozilla 66347 1.4%
Safari 43025 0.9%
Konqueror 9937 0.2%
Firebird (Old Firefox) 1357 0%
Camino 637 0%
Others 1941 0%

Re:Me, Too.

[snorklewacker]

> Just curious...a few cents/gal up or down just isn't going to make a difference in my life...

It affects the price of transporting goods. Which is pretty much everything. It neither effects you immediately or individually all that much (unless you're a trucker), but it adds up.

Mind you, I think the effective subsidies we're all paying for gas and roads, to say nothing of the effects of global warming (decreased crop yields) disguise the actual cost of the stuff, so I'm not exactly clamoring for cheap gas. Just saying it's more than what you're paying at the pump.