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Lessons from the Browser Wars

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the dodge-the-incoming-bugs dept.

An anonymous reader writes to mention a piece on the Harvard Business School site talking about Lessons from the Browser Wars; specifically, what can be learned about first-mover advantages and the upsurge in Firefox use? From the article: "As a tool for exploring how standards are set when new technologies hit the market, the browser wars exhibit many features we like to study: competition between two viable alternatives, rapidly improving technologies, the ability of firms to use strategic levers such as market power and channels of distribution, growth in demand leading to diffusion of the new technology through the population, and uncertainty. Thus, this is one example from which we can generalize lessons regarding the outcome of diffusion of innovation into a market."

3 of 212 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Just be better by subreality · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "Better" is more complicated than just having superior technology. Open formats helps make a product better. In the case of video, cheap porn makes the product better. Saying Sony's product was better is a very narrow view.

  2. Re:Just be better by Crouty · · Score: 0, Redundant
    "Be better than the competition" --> Sony was
    Sony created a technology that was not accepted by the movie industry, because they had the need for media with longer play times. Sure, Betamax exceeded VHS in most aspects, but not in this essential one. And this is where I have to admit that "better" is not that straightforward as I made it look.
    "and make sure people learn that" --> Sony marketed but was too late, and also did not open its formats (open formats, firefox & w3c, sound familiar?).
    A headstart is a big advantage so it is not enough to be a tiny bit better and louder than the competitor. You'll have to be a whole lot better and louder. Still, being good and loud is eventually all that counts. Uhm, make that good, loud and unexpensive.
    --
    On se Internetz nobody noes your German.
  3. Re:Just be better by MtViewGuy · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The thing that did in the Beta format was the fact Matsushita Electric--who has a majority controlling interest in JVC (the inventor of the Video Home System)--licensed VHS technology at far lower cost than what Sony wanted for Beta licenses. That got everyone to climb aboard the VHS bandwagon, and by 1990 VHS pretty much won by default.

    The biggest advantage was that JVC was able to match Sony's every technological move--especially Hi-Fi sound and high-quality video--while maintaining its advantage of longer recording times over what Sony offered.