Google dropping Chrome??? Or just Chrome for XP?

[wingman99]

Desktop Browser Version Market Share
April, 2016 https://www.netmarketshare.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2&qpcustomd=0

 

[c627627]

I did a little bit of research on that and came across this gem on why Internet Explorer lost a huge percentage of users:

"By forcing customers to upgrade to a newer version of IE -- or alternately, turn to Windows 10 and its default Edge -- Microsoft demanded that users change browsers. That had a disastrous impact on IE's user share as people rethought their browser choice, and then abandoned Microsoft's browsers for rivals' -- notably Chrome.

Firefox's problems have been different: Mozilla's flagship has been in slow decline for more than five years. The browser that once shook up the market -- it was the first to take on IE, and triggered a resumption of browser development by Microsoft -- has gradually slipped toward irrelevance."

But
What is the concensus on why Firefox slipped into single digits?

 

[wingman99]

I have windows 10 and I still use IE 11.

 

[petteyg359]

I did a little bit of research on that and came across this gem on why Internet Explorer lost a huge percentage of users:

"By forcing customers to upgrade to a newer version of IE -- or alternately, turn to Windows 10 and its default Edge -- Microsoft demanded that users change browsers. That had a disastrous impact on IE's user share as people rethought their browser choice, and then abandoned Microsoft's browsers for rivals' -- notably Chrome.

Firefox's problems have been different: Mozilla's flagship has been in slow decline for more than five years. The browser that once shook up the market -- it was the first to take on IE, and triggered a resumption of browser development by Microsoft -- has gradually slipped toward irrelevance."

But
What is the concensus on why Firefox slipped into single digits?

Partially the fact that they started assuming all their users were idiots unable to choose the "right" options. Google for Firefox Australis for lots of complaints. I usually use Pale Moon, but for some stupid sites that think a whitelist of supported browsers is a good idea (it never is), I keep Firefox around. I keep Chrome for a few things that still require Flash, but I don't use it regularly because it has several huge bugs regarding actually remembering what tabs were open when closing/restarting, and near constantly tries to rename files like something.tar.gz to something.tar when I downloading. It seems they've finally marked that bug closed nearly five freaking years after it was submitted, yet my browser is still doing the same old annoying thing every time I download a gzipped file.

 

[c627627]

I did. Thanks for the suggestion.
This was the best hit that explained it all:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/firefox-addons-future.html

 

[Vishera]

As someone who has flopped between browsers more than once, I can say with confidence Chrome feels the most reliable. Modern, everything's easy to use, and most settings and menus for the browser itself are a few clicks away. Firefox has, in my opinion, gotten sluggish, has a less sleek UI, and has many issues with embedded Flash. Actually, just flash in general. I've also seen it refuse to render embedded images, and last I ever used it, it didn't load image sharing sites properly half the time.

As for IE, I never liked the way IE was "presented". There's no customization, it's a bit of a hassle (only slightly, but still an inconvenience in my opinion) to change the settings for it, and it's hardly customizable, if it even is at all. Chrome and FF both have the option of plugins to adjust the browsing experience to the user, with FF having a large community around completely rebuilding the UI with a few MB plugin. MS is too concerned about having everything tightly designed and hard-wired, and their refusal to make it personal by allowing the user to customize it is why, at least I, will never use IE or Edge so long as I can help it.

 

[Alaric]

has many issues with embedded Flash. Actually, just flash in general

That's my problem with Firefox/Waterfox. The plug-in container bleeds RAM usage like a binary hemophiliac. If I open more than two tabs I have to go in task manager and close the plug-in cont. I can watch the memory used go from 20k to upwards of 3 GB usage in 30 seconds. It's bizarre.

 

[c627627]

IF it weren't for Add-Ons, Firefox wouldn't have half the users it has today, including myself.
But for some reason, Chrome and IE don't seem to focus on getting Firefox add-on developers to switch.

 

[wingman99]

As someone who has flopped between browsers more than once, I can say with confidence Chrome feels the most reliable. Modern, everything's easy to use, and most settings and menus for the browser itself are a few clicks away. Firefox has, in my opinion, gotten sluggish, has a less sleek UI, and has many issues with embedded Flash. Actually, just flash in general. I've also seen it refuse to render embedded images, and last I ever used it, it didn't load image sharing sites properly half the time.

As for IE, I never liked the way IE was "presented". There's no customization, it's a bit of a hassle (only slightly, but still an inconvenience in my opinion) to change the settings for it, and it's hardly customizable, if it even is at all. Chrome and FF both have the option of plugins to adjust the browsing experience to the user, with FF having a large community around completely rebuilding the UI with a few MB plugin. MS is too concerned about having everything tightly designed and hard-wired, and their refusal to make it personal by allowing the user to customize it is why, at least I, will never use IE or Edge so long as I can help it.

What I like in widows 10 IE 11 is the tab bar and dropdown favorites menu. What customizations does IE 11 not have for you?

 

[Vishera]

What I like in widows 10 IE 11 is the tab bar and dropdown favorites menu. What customizations does IE 11 not have for you?

I dislike how it has no option for plugins. Chrome and FF have plugins for:

AdBlocking
Easy in-browser VPN'ing
Download managers for file sharing websites such as Dropbox and Mega, designed BY the websites they're linked to
Avast anti-virus has a plugin for Chrome and FF to quickly give you rating info, telling you how secure a website is, and a plugin for online shopping to prevent storage of cookies that can be used to leak your personal info.
FF allows users to create "skins" for the browser, and upload them to the plugin "store". They also allow plugins that completely rebuild the UI!!

IE has none of these things. Choosing and internet browser is like choosing a modded game versus a non modded game. Some people like to use mods, some people don't. Also, IE has lesser security. How do I know this? The file archiving program J-Zip has had its websites infected with malware, and many malware infested installers for the program were downloaded. There was an article about it that I read on anandtech I believe. Chrome and FF now disallow you from downloading files from that website. IE gives no warning, suggestion that you not download the file, nothing. It even passes IE's security scan!

 

[c627627]

Exactly!
Doesn't it seem obvious that customization is key to a successful browser precisely because there is no right way or wrong way!
People have different Add-ons that they are attached to, a simple bounty to switch over all add-ons away from Firefox would have torpedoed Firefox long ago, it would have decimated Firefox user base at the very least more than any multi-million dollar effort to do anything else in browser wars... imho.

What I like in widows 10 IE... dropdown favorites menu. What customizations does IE 11 not have for you?

The very thing you mentioned, the Favorites menu is at the very top of my list for a browser to have and not even on the list at all of most people I talk to.
But your example is where we see *why* Firefox was first to steal market share initially from IE, look at my Firefox:



Windows IE Favorites menu integrated right into Firefox!!
Add-on!
Problem solved and 99% of Firefox users who don't want it, don't have to have it.... There is no discussion on what's good what's not. You choose what you want. There is no good or bad. Windows 8 Metro would have never been a problem if it was a choice. Anything in IE would not be a problem if it was a choice. But it isn't.


So everyone is different, but here's my list:

--------------

auto_copy_1.0.8.1.xpi
(Selected text is automatically copied to the clipboard.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/383
http://autocopy.mozdev.org/
--------------

bookmark_favicon_changer_2.25.xpi
(Set bookmark link icons.)
https://sites.google.com/site/sonthakit/bookmarkfaviconchanger
Download Link without corrupt xpi files:
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/p5zci7993vuf7/BookmarkFaviconChanger
--------------

classic_theme_restorer_1.4.5
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/
Restore squared tabs, appmenu, add-ons bar, and more on Australis UI (Firefox 29+).
Options:
Main TAB > CHECK: Hide urlbars stop & reload buttons
Show icons and text
Special TAB > CHECK: Hide add-on bars close button

--------------
clonewindow_0.2.9.xpi
(CTRL+N opens a new window with same content. Also an option for New TAB to open with same content.)
http://www.pikey.me.uk/mozilla/?extension=cw
--------------

dictionarysearch_28.0.1.xpi
(Looks up a user selected word in an online dictionary.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/dictionarysearch/
--------------

downloads window_0.5.5
(Restores classic downloads window behavior.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/downloads-window/
--------------

ESCapeFromThemGIFs_0.1.1mod
(Pause animated gif's with the ESC key.)
http://updatepack.nl/Firefox/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/escapefromthemgifs/
--------------

findbar_ tweak_2.1.4
(Customize Quick Find toolbar.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/findbar-tweak/
--------------

flash_control_2.0.7
(Disable/enable flash by clicking in the flash symbol in the middle of the web page.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/flash-control/
--------------

greasemonkey_3.6
(Customize the way a web page displays or behaves, prevent it from launching prompts at exit.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/greasemonkey/
--------------

I don't care about cookies_2.5.1.xpi
(Get rid of annoying cookie warnings)
https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firef...ction_id=6791672f-3882-43b4-bdbe-aea9bf6c0dbd
--------------

ie_view_1.5.6.1.xpi
(Open current page or a selected link in Internet Explorer. Set %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE as default location in options so that the Add-on can be use by mult-boot systems.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/35?id=35&application=firefox
--------------

imagezoom_0.6.3.1.xpi
(Zoom in & out of any picture. Also an option to have Image Fit in the right click menu by CHECKing that option in the Zoom Context Menu TAB.)
http://imagezoom.yellowgorilla.net/
--------------

last_tab_close_button_0.3.7.1.xpi
(Shows the "Close" button on the last tab in Firefox.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/last-tab-close-button/
--------------

map_this_0.3.1.1.xpi
(Get a street map or directions to selected text address.)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1886
--------------

make address bar font size bigger_ 1.3.2.1
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/make-address-bar-font-size-big/

--------------
menuedit_1.2.7.xpi
(Edit Firefox right click menus.)
http://menueditor.mozdev.org/
--------------

plain_old_favorites_1.3.1
(Use one Favorites folder for both Internet Explorer and Firefox.)
http://updatepack.nl/Firefox/
http://www.iosart.com/firefox/plainoldfavorites/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/668
--------------

replace _tabs_extension (reloaded)_1.03a.1.xpi
(Adds the option to CHECK: When opening multiple links at once, replace existing tabs under Firefox > Tools > Options > Tabs)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/replace-tabs-extension-relo/
--------------

RightToClick_2.9.6
Stops annoyances such as forbidden right click, forbidden text selection or cascading dialog boxes.
Advanced options > Fetch images gets RightToClick menu button to list only pictures from the displayed page.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/righttoclick/
--------------

toolbar_buttons_1.1.xpi
(Additional Firefox buttons, including Minimum Font size.)
http://codefisher.org/toolbar_button/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/toolbar-buttons/
--------------

tweaknetwork_1.8.1.xpi
(Tweak Firefox settings for faster page loading and more simultaneous downloads.)
Firefox > Tools > Tweak Network Settings > OK > Power > OK)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/327
http://www.bitstorm.org/extensions/tweak/
--------------

ublock_origin_1.5.1.xpi
(Ad blocker. Easy on CPU and memory. )
Sometimes you need to do this manually:
Show Dashboard > 3rd-party filters > Update now
and you may need to UNCHECK: EasyPrivacy there.
https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firef...ction_id=6791672f-3882-43b4-bdbe-aea9bf6c0dbd
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/?src=search
--------------

 

[Pinky]

Specific? Fine. How about Bausch & Lomb. Their DAC lathe systems are still on Win 95. They make medical grade devices with those, IE: contact lenses. So is the whole vacuum coating division. You know what they do there? Make smart bomb guidance lenses.

Companies that have specific custom one off software will not change anything unless they absolutely have to. Wanna know why? Because any change in any SOP in an ISO company has to go through all trials testing again before approval and certification. It is compounded in a company that makes and ships worldwide because the same has to be done in every country they deal with. How much do you think that costs them?, just to upgrade to an OS that they don't even need, and that their software won't run on anyway.

[building off this post]

A lot of banking terminals (ATMs) and eye testing equipment (Zeiss, etc) used Windows XP. These machines are sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, so buying new units every time some kids in a basement in Russia figured out how to hack the OS isn't really a reasonable option. Instead, network admins limit the kinds of network traffic those devices use to avoid easy breaches from the outside. If no one can see/reach them, then it doesn't matter what OS is running. In the case of factory equipment, they would never need an internet facing connection so as long as they can continue to find hardware to replace stuff when it dies, why not keep using the same OS and custom apps? The ISO testing requirement is a good example of this, it's a very cost and time intensive process getting those certifications. I can't blame them.

These timelines impact home and business desktop users the most. Industry will usually find a way of holding on to their ancient software until the bitter end.

 

[wagex]

the businesses who are running xp fore task sensitive and task specific things such as making lenses for bombs and stuff probably shouldnt be running any kind of web browser on them at all, imo best case scenario they dont even have internet access.

it also makes sense that software companies (mozilla) arent continuing to spend the man hours to make sure that the changes they make in their software are compatible in windows xp, considering microsoft isnt even supporting it.. why should they, it doesnt make any sense from a business standpoint.

 

[wingman99]

I dislike how it has no option for plugins. Chrome and FF have plugins for:

AdBlocking
Easy in-browser VPN'ing
Download managers for file sharing websites such as Dropbox and Mega, designed BY the websites they're linked to
Avast anti-virus has a plugin for Chrome and FF to quickly give you rating info, telling you how secure a website is, and a plugin for online shopping to prevent storage of cookies that can be used to leak your personal info.
FF allows users to create "skins" for the browser, and upload them to the plugin "store". They also allow plugins that completely rebuild the UI!!

IE has none of these things. Choosing and internet browser is like choosing a modded game versus a non modded game. Some people like to use mods, some people don't. Also, IE has lesser security. How do I know this? The file archiving program J-Zip has had its websites infected with malware, and many malware infested installers for the program were downloaded. There was an article about it that I read on anandtech I believe. Chrome and FF now disallow you from downloading files from that website. IE gives no warning, suggestion that you not download the file, nothing. It even passes IE's security scan!

Do you have a link to the website infested software so I can give it a try with windows 10 IE 11 and see what happens?

 

[Alaric]

This would be why ice cream comes in different flavors. I don't care what color my browser is, some people do. Themes were fun to play with for about 5 minutes, then I got back to actually browsing and never noticed it again. LOL. The only reason I bother with even having two browsers is that some websites work better with one or the other. I try to avoid browsers that tell me where I can and can't go, as I have other software for security issues.

 

[Vishera]

Do you have a link to the website infested software so I can give it a try with windows 10 IE 11 and see what happens?

http://www.jzip.com/

 

[wingman99]

Do you have a link to the website infested software so I can give it a try with windows 10 IE 11 and see what happens?

http://www.jzip.com/

Thanks for the link it was so cool, I have not seen IE 11 do it's work before. I tried to download and the download bar went red then did not allow me to download, thank you for this experience of finding a known malware to test my stock IE 11 browser.

 

[Vishera]

Thanks for the link it was so cool, I have not seen IE 11 do it's work before. I tried to download and the download bar went red then did not allow me to download, thank you for this experience of finding a known malware to test my stock IE 11 browser.

I've personally downloaded from this website with IE, and it let me download it just fine. Might be something different in Win10, but there are still plenty of people using Win8 and Win7. Seems kinda shoddy that they'd fix it in Win10 and leave the other two vulnerable.

 

[wingman99]

Do you have a link to the website infested software so I can give it a try with windows 10 IE 11 and see what happens?

Thanks for the link it was so cool, I have not seen IE 11 do it's work before. I tried to download and the download bar went red then did not allow me to download, thank you for this experience of finding a known malware to test my stock IE 11 browser.

http://www.jzip.com/

I've personally downloaded from this website with IE, and it let me download it just fine. Might be something different in Win10, but there are still plenty of people using Win8 and Win7. Seems kinda shoddy that they'd fix it in Win10 and leave the other two vulnerable.

I tried downloading it on window7 stock IE 11 and it blocked it, sweet thanks for having me check that also, you are great. Maybe your browser was not updated.

 

[c627627]

After and only after I disable antivirus Real-Time Protection, then Windows 8.0 IE 10 downloads it, it's still there on the HD downloded, but I do get