Despite Microsoft’s efforts to galvanise Internet Explorer’s (IE) grip on the Internet and our desktops at large, surveys and reports indicate that IE is losing its 90% grip on our desktops. Mac users will already have shifted from IE with the introduction of Apple Safari and co-operation of banking institutions conforming to Safari’s quirks to facilitate online banking.
Even back in the day before Safari became more compliant to most online banking requirements, Netscape was the mac users only alternative to bank online. With the introduction of Firefox, sometimes a more CSS and W3 compliant browser than Apple Safari, IE has its hands full in 2005.
With delayed shipment of Microsoft’s latest Operating System (OS) codenamed Longhorn and the rise of online criminal or near criminal activity Microsoft was forced to release Service Pack 2 to upgrade IE’s security. Unwittingly, enraging plug-in developers denied access to IE owing to Microsoft’s decision to initiate the changes in IE through an OS upgrade only.
“The catalyst for the Firefox explosion was the havoc wrought on the Internet by phishing schemes, spyware and other security menaces.”
– Paul Festa, CNet.com
Its going to be an interesting year for browser wars, what with Apple gearing to release the Mac OS X 10.4 codenamed Tiger in the second quarter of 2005, and together with it the latest version of Apple Safari complete with RSS integration.
Read full report at CNet.com