We’re all creatures of habit to an extent and tend to stick with what we know – and this is certainly the case when it come to using the internet. For example, 68% of all web searches (as of Jan 2013) are done using Google and those of us who do use it are unlikely to change to Bing, Yahoo or any of the others. Most use Google because it’s better and, love them or loathe them, they do their job very well. So, what about the browser you’re using? Buy a Microsoft machine you get Internet Explorer; buy a Mac you get Safari. But, have you considered any of the alternatives?
Using the internet can be a frustrating palaver especially as the web is littered with complicated, slow and downright awful websites which can give the user a pretty bad experience. So, why compound the misery by using a browser that may not be as good as one of the alternatives? Most people will have heard of Firefox and Google Chrome but if you aren’t using them as your default browser – do. They take but a jiffy to download and install, but a moment to transfer all your bookmarks and a very short space of time to ‘re-adjust’ and get used to a slightly different layout. Best of all, they’re free. Everyone likes something for nothing.
I’m not campaigning in the slightest for the eradication and the erasing from history of Internet Explorer but it has had a difficult upbringing – the ‘problem child’ of browsers. A few years ago Microsoft took their eye off the ball somewhat and Google and Mozilla overtook in the fast lane with Chrome and Firefox respectively. This has left IE playing catchup. Internet Explorer for many years (especially v6 and v7) were shocking – clunky, unable to show certain elements of webpages and, more seriously, riddled with grave security issues.
Newer versions of Internet Explorer (IE9 for Vista and Windows 7 and IE10 for Windows 8) are huge improvements on previous versions but my feeling is that the boat has been missed. Current stats show that 50% of users have Google Chrome as their default browser, 30% use Firefox and 13% use Internet Explorer (all versions). That leaves roughly 7% for all other browsers including Apple’s Safari which has hovered around 4% for years (source: W3 Schools) possibly because your average Joe and Josephine can’t afford a lovely Mac. There’s a bit of natural selection going on with browser choice and, like any evolutionary process, the strongest will survive.
So, if someone said, “I’m going to make your life a little easier and there’s no strings and it won’t cost you a penny!” what would you do? Ignore them, treat them with suspicion and carry on as you are or investigate a little and see if there’s anything to what they say? Do yourself a favour if you’re still using an out-of date-or inferior browser, investigate an alternative and make your life a little easier. You’ve nothing to lose, have you?
