I expect that this is generally understood, but with this post its worth noting that the views expressed here are only my own, and not necessarily those held officially by my employer, AOL.
Updated: Part 2 is available.
I've been asked repeatedly and pointedly (inside and outside of AOL), "Why did you guys build a browser that is based on Internet Explorer?" The implicit question, of course, is "Don't you know that IE droolz and Firefox roolz?"
No. No, I don't know that.
Let me state a few caveats, and then explain why I think Internet Explorer continues to be a substantially better choice for AOL's desktop software on Windows.
First, I think Firefox is a good browser. It does a nice job of being compatible enough in enough of the right ways, performs well enough, and offers a number of nice experience improvements to the browser. And, as a developer, I like that I have access to the source code.
Second, I think it is good for the industry at large to have more than one browser "out there". I think Apple was actually the first to raise the issue again with Safari - in terms of re-igniting the multi-browser flames, especially because of the disproportionate number of designers and web developers on the Mac - but certainly the Mozilla Foundation broadened and deepened the opportunity to being about more than just supporting an "edge" platform. As a concrete example of that value: Do you really think that Internet Explorer 7 would exist in its promised incarnation and be as broadly available if not for Firefox?
Third, its nice to see the original dot com browser make a comeback - and there's a certain underdog element to the whole open source non-profit foundation vs. Evil Empire thing ("Help me, Obi-wan, your're my only hope"). Lest we over-romanticize, however, we should remember that although Microsoft was very likely underhanded and monopolistic during the "browser wars" of the late 90's, I don't believe that was the deciding factor in their success with IE. The simple truth? Internet Explorer crushed Netspace Navigator because Microsoft delivered a genuinely better browser. And now, its payback time :)
As advocates of Firefox point out (correctly):
- Firefox is safer/more secure
- Firefox provides a better experience/is more powerful
- Firefox is more standards compliant
- Firefox is cooler
So now that the pleasantries are out of the way: Be prepared, Firefox Fans - next time, I'm bringin' the heat...
63 comments:
I agree with you on this one. Firefox is the browser of choice because it's cool now but IE is genuinely a good browser, but why in gods name does AOL need a browser? Is it just because you have netscape or you are giving us something the others don't offer?
HAH. A little patience, please :) That's a perfectly fair question that I'll answer in part two - from a consumer perspective (i.e. what features and value we think we're delivering and how IE supports that for us). But the Business perspective(which I wasn't planning on really addressing) is that we have 80+M unique users in the US alone that use our desktop software every month, and we want them to continue use more and more of our software (i.e. be engaged) because we believe it leads to more monetization opportunities. Browsing is one of the big 3 online activities (mail and IM are the other two).
:) makes sense but with the death of dial-up I think I foresee the slow demise of the present build of the browser, and then a resurrection with broadband search.
Surprising that you equate the browser with dial-up - I'd say it exists exactly BECAUSE of the decay of dial-up. But I do agree that we'll see more "non-browser" online applications (if that's what you mean by "broadband search")...
As a user of AIM for years, this issue of being "engaged" and "monetization opportunities" is exactly why I'll continue to use AIM 4.8 for as long as you guys support the old protocol. With every new "advancement" you have to ask yourselves what need you're satisfying, and it seems that AOL lost perspective of that when AIM 5 was released. I understand that the bells and whistles are there to stay competitive in the market, but what need is the browser satisfying? None. It goes back to what you mentioned before about AOL being associated with the "dumbing down" of the Internet, which has been the association for over a decade. The fact of the matter is that most of the intelligentsia who used AOL got tired of the hand-holding and left. AIM was a novel concept because it reached out to these people and provided a valuable communication service. What seems to be happening is that AOL is trying to blur the line between the AOL service and AIM itself, and that will just drive people towards Yahoo Messenger and GMail Chat. The best parts of AIM have always been its quick responsiveness, small footprint and that it has traditionally been non-obstructive to the user experience. Smashing users in the face with "We're AOL and you better love the crap we give you" will work briefly, but soon the only people who still use AIM will be the same people who still use the AOL internet service. Don't forget that AIM was specifically created to appeal to people who DON'T use the AOL internet service, and those people will ultimately decide its fate. For now, I'll keep going to oldversion.com to download AIM because I firmly believe in their motto: "because newer is not always better."
As a fellow AOL employee, I am extremely disappointed in AOL not using a standards-based browser as its backend. With its large member base, plus all the additional users downloading AOL Explorer, AOL has the power to turn the tide against IE. So many website creators bend over backwards to make their website work only with IE, because that is what they see as the most used browser in the access logs.
*someone* needs to break the cycle. AOL is in a position to do that. Why should I spend hours to make some javascript work with IE when I can easily make it work with any standards-compliant browser? Same for CSS.
I personally "vote with my wallet" and refuse to do business with any website that is IE only. I refuse to let anyone dictate what browser I use, let alone what operating system I use. But I'm totally off topic at this point.
Anyway, I am still baffled as to how AOL thinks it is a good idea to perpetuate the use of IE.
Some strong views from people on the IE vs. Firefox debate.
If you want to use a browse that is ACTUALLY faster, MUCH MORE standards compliant, and truly more secure, then you should really be advocating Opera. Its free, and its MUCH better than Firefox on pretty much every axis people argue Firefox is better than IE on.
The reason you don't, I'll submit, is that its not as cool.
Also, our main goals are about making our end users happy first, and supporting the industry second.
As we don't control all the websites in the world, our bias is towards greater compatibility, given *largely* equal browser performance and quality - boy, I've really got to write my follow-on post...
Why did you guys build a browser that is based on Internet Explorer?"
Isn't the answer, because Firefox didn't exist when you made the decision to use Internet Explorer. You started building out AOL Explorer some time in 2003. You/AOL didn't like Mozilla technologies at the time.
The reasons why you are using IE and not FF at AOL are *far* more complex than just a question of market dominance or technical superiority.
It's also a question of money, personal wars inside AOL, managerial incompetence, inability to evaluate technical projects, and ridiculous pride.
AOL refused the project Firefox a few years ago, and already pays for that gigantic mistake.
My understanding was that it was implied in the settlement that IE would be the browser of choice for AOL, in exchange for a long term royalty free period, among other perks.
Rafael, Daniel, and Robert: No, No, aaaaannnnd.... No. :)
Seriously, I'll post shortly "part 2" - which outlines why I think IE is a subtanitally better choice for AOL on purely technical/user experience grounds, independent of whatever combination of "money, personal wars inside AOL, managerial incompetence, inability to evaluate technical projects, and ridiculous pride" were at play.
Its certainly not untrue that we started experimenting with an IE skinned browser (with a Flash skin no less!) before Firefox 1.0 shipped (and was hot), and we did seriously consider making the switch before we GM'ed AOL Explorer last July.
However, I believe we made the right choice.
Out of curiousity, did you even read my post, or did you comment based on title?
The Flash browser, you mean the one that Metaliq worked on? It was probably a good idea not to have shipped that. Looked pretty sketchy.
I was at AOL when you started AOL browser and "Firefox" didn't exist at the time so I don't think I'm wrong. If you meant based on Mozilla, then that's different.
Can't wait to see your part 2. I suspect the answer is around Web site compatability, and limiting customer service calls. I never did see good numbers/analysis on that though.
Rafael, you're not wrong about timing at all - but I think we made the right call (then and now). I don't think the underlying engine is meaningfully important, from a user perspective.
What I mean is, I'm not sure there is consumer value in making the transition to a non-OS browsing engine (in much the same way that I don't think we should be doing custom connectivity - ours or anybody's but the OS's - in 2006)
I do wish we had the source code, though.
Does Microsoft has any arrangement with AOL for using IE for its browser, so that it could stave off any more competition on the browser front.
More importantly for AOL, to provide a good browsing xp to its users, IE as the underlying engine on which they can sugar coat on makes sense because all web developers validate their development on IE.
AOL has the perpetual OPTION to use and distribute IE (why is that valuable? I dunno - some lawyer thing; as far as I can tell, EVERYBODY has that right).
Microsoft played no part (directly) in our decision process - it was purely a technical/user driven decision (believe it or not).
It's interesting to hear you people talk about "refusing to let someone dictate what browser you use", while at the same time spouting off your "KILL IE" gibberish. I have used many web browsers, including Netscape (the first 'graphical' browser I ever used), IE (I am testing IE 7 at the moment), Opera, Firefox, etc.. My personal favorite is lynx, and yes, there's a Win32 port of Lynx available. All browsers have flaws, and yeah, shame on microsoft for not making the browser more standards-compliant..but realistically, you are no different than microsoft when you say "we should band together and use firefox to destroy internet explorer". It's a slightly different twist on the "Mac Vs. PC" argument.. There are features that I like about IE, and there are features that I like about Firefox, and there are features from both that I can't stand. If you do not like the product, do not use it. It's not like either choice costs you money. As far as security issues, yeah, IE may have more security flaws..but guess what.. I've been surfing the 'net since the early to mid 90's. Most of the computers I use only have IE, and I've had ZERO (yeah, 0, zilch, zip, nada) security issues, other than a little bit of spyware.. and guess what else.. if Firefox had IE's marketshare, those people would be writing the spyware to defeat Firefox's security features.
Dan
thanks :)))
actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.
Thanks to author.
Magnific!
Please write anything else!
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
Magnific!
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
All generalizations are false, including this one.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.
Clap on! , Clap off! clap@#&$NO CARRIER
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81
Good job!
Nice Article.
Thanks to author.
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.
What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Good job!
Save the whales, collect the whole set
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
Thanks to author.
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Nice Article.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!
C++ should have been called B
All generalizations are false, including this one.
Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.
Nice Article.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
Calvin, we will not have an anatomically correct snowman!
If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?
If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
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