The Browser Wars: What Does It Mean For You?

Every time a browser is upgraded, updated or completely overhauled, you can expect the tech magazines to write a “Browser Wars!” article and the blogosphere to follow suit. These articles serve a purpose, so developers and consumers can make an informed decision about the pros and cons of each.

The month of March was a big one for web browsers. New versions of the Big 3 – Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox and Google’s Chrome – were released, with new features and retooled user interfaces. We can imagine users experienced a little bit of shock after downloading these, and seeing a completely look different from which they had grown accustomed.

WebDrafter.com’s blog serves to educate and inform the general consumer on all issues related to the Internet, and in this entry, we’ll discuss the updated big three: Firefox 4, Internet Explorer 9 and Chrome 10. What are the big differences from the previous version(s)? What do they mean for you? We’ll answer these questions.

In the first 24 hours of release, Firefox 4 was downloaded 7.1 million times (The Mozilla Blog) while Internet Explorer 9 only saw 2.35 million downloads (Techie Buzz). Numbers for Google Chrome 10 have not been released, but it’s gaining a fast foothold in the browser market, according to StatCounter. Chrome has over 12% of the market, while Firefox remains steady at around 30%. Meanwhile, from April 2010 to March 2011, Internet Explorer dropped from nearly 50% to under 48%.

It’s a bit surprising that IE9 fell behind Firefox 4, considering nearly half of Internet users utilize Internet Explorer as their browser of choice. However, this is probably due to two key reasons: IE9 wasn’t released in conjunction with a new version of Windows (unlike previous releases), and maybe more importantly, IE9 requires Windows Vista or Windows 7, and 41% of users continue to use Windows XP.

Common themes between each:

1. A Chrome influence: One of the unique things about Google Chrome when it first came out was that page tabs were above everything. Chrome’s influence is evident in Firefox and IE, as both browsers have adopted this. Modern web browsers aim to be as simple as possible, making navigation as simple as possible for users.
2. Support for HTML5 and CSS3: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the building block for any website, while cascading style sheets (CSS) is a language developers use to describe the look and format of a markup language, like HTML.
3. This doesn’t affect, or maybe matter, to the average user, but as more and more developers continue to adopt new HTML5 and CSS3 elements – like timed media playback, document editing, geolocation and “drag-and-drop” – browser developers will have to accommodate.
4. Increased security: As phishing and malware is sadly commonplace, developers must take this into consideration whenever they develop a new browser.

Differences between each:

1. Memory usage varies. According to a March 25 CNET article, Chrome 10 uses 390 MB of memory, while IE9 uses 195 MB and Firefox 4 only takes 146 MB. The less memory a program uses, the less of a strain on your resources. Additionally, according to the same article, Firefox 4 had the quickest boot time (around 17 seconds), while Chrome took almost 27 seconds.
2. Each browser has its own set of standards for CSS3. Chrome 10 and Firefox 4 support most of CSS3, while IE9 does support some of CSS3, there is much missing, like some background styles and transformation elements.
3. Google and Mozilla are known for offering users the ability to add plug ins (pop up blockers, social media tools, etc.) and themes for their browsers, and there is a wide variety available. Microsoft does offer add ons, but not nearly the volume of Google's or Mozilla's.

With browsers becoming more identical, it doesn’t matter which you use. Personally, WebDrafter.com recommends you download all three. That way, you have an alternative in case a website doesn’t work on your favorite browser.

For more information on what the different Internet browsers mean for your website design or search engine marketing, contact WebDrafter.com today.