Networking

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Is Firefox toast?

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols | December 5, 2011, 2:13pm PST

Summary: Firefox’s market-share is fading; the browser itself isn’t that good anymore; and its money supply may be drying up. Is Firefox coming to the end of the road?

Is Firefox burning out?

I remember just how great it was when Firefox first came out. In 2004, when Firefox first appeared, Firefox was a breath of fresh air. Firefox 1.0 was far better and more secure than the already awful Internet Explorer 6. I loved Firefox then. We all did. But, that was then. This is now.

Today, Firefox is getting pummeled from all sides. Its performance is mediocre. Sure, Firefox 8.01 beats the stuffings out of “classic” Firefox 3.6, but that’s not saying much. Compared to Chrome and Internet Explorer 9 Firefox isn’t keeping up.

Which of the big five Web Browsers is the Best? (Review)

As features and security go, Firefox no longer really offers anything that the other browsers don’t. At the same time, Google is turning Chrome into not just a Web browser, but an integral part of its software as a service (SaaS) and cloud application stack. Yes, you can run Google Docs and Gmail on Firefox or IE, but the combination of Chrome’s innate speed with Google’s applications makes it the most attractive package.

In addition, Chrome is beating Firefox to second place in the Web browser derby. According to StatCounter, Chrome is already already number two. The other popular Web browser popularity NetMarketShare, Firefox still has a narrow lead, but no one expects it to keep its lead for much longer. Indeed, Mozilla’s hyper-accelerated release schedule is losing Firefox’s business customers.

Last, but never least, Firefox’s parent organization, Mozilla hasn’t been able to close a deal with its chief income source: Google. True, Mozilla tells us that, “Our search relationship with Google remains positive for both of us. We are in active negotiations and have nothing further to announce at this time. We have every confidence that search partnerships will continue to be a strong and growing generator of revenue for the foreseeable future.”

If it wasn’t for the fact that that’s almost word for word what Mozilla said in its annual report for 2010, I’ve find that much more reassuring. Besides, as my comrade in writing arms, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes asks, “Does Google need Mozilla?” We both think the answer is no.

That’s bad news for Firefox. Mozilla relies on search deals for 98% of its annual income, and it’s a safe bet that most of that revenue comes from Google. Sure, Mozilla also recently inked a deal with its arch-enemy Microsoft to bring the Bing search engine to Firefox. That strikes me more as an act of desperation than a real source of substantial income.

Put it all together and what do you get? Well, Mozilla’s brass had better work hard on landing some kind of continued support from Google. With that deal, Firefox can continue to struggle on. Without it? I think Firefox is toast. What do you think?

Related Stories:

Does Google need Mozilla?

See what you’re missing - Firefox 3.6 vs Firefox 8.0.1

Which of the big five Web Browsers is the Best? (Review)

Chrome 15: The Best Browser keeps getting better (Review)

Firefox partners with The Evil Empire

Burning Firefox image by Teamstickergiant, , CC 2.0.

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Google Inc., Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Corp., Chrome, Web Browsers, Internet, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, aka sjvn, has been writing about technology and the business of technology since CP/M-80 was the cutting edge, PC operating system

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Give me a break..

affinitidragon@... 27th Mar

The browser isn't that good anymore? Compared to what? I'm honestly not a huge fan of chrome. I've used firefox for years, and I refuse to switch to anything else. And there are millions more who agree with me. You're saying it's toast due to money crap? Look at the community behind it before you write such nonsense.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Loverock Davidson- 5th Dec

No its not toast, not by a long shot. Firefox has the community going for it. As a matter of fact that is how it started, a community who wanted to clean up Netscape's bloated code. With the right motivation (losing market share) they can clean up the code and enhance performance to continue making Firefox a key player in web browsing software. There are people like me who use it for its wide abundance of extensions and we absolutely refuse to use Google's Chrome browser. There will always be a market for Firefox and that is why its going to live on.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

guzz46 Updated - 5th Dec

@Loverock Davidson-

Thats not the kind of post I expected to read from an anti Linux person like yourself, talking about communities and how beneficial they are, you actually sound rational, you know Linux also has a community going for it so lets see what happens when I exchange Firefox for Linux in your post.

"No its not toast, not by a long shot. Linux has the community going for it...There will always be a market for Linux and that is why its going to live on"

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Then you don't understand the post

William Farrell 6th Dec

@guzz46
This is a simple web browser, not an OS. There are lots of open source Windows programs out there too, so that isn't the issue.

I don't think LD ever claimed that Linux would disappear completelly, he states that it will never even come close to displacing Windows or OSX, as some of you Linux zealots claim it will.

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It takes one to know one

ScorpioBlue 6th Dec

Right, @William Farrell?

wink

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

guzz46 Updated - 6th Dec

@William Farrell

I understood the post just fine, which is why I did what I did, after all in a previous post loverock claimed that Linux is not relevant at all, yet here he claims that Firefox isn't and won't be toast because it has the community going for it, quite ironic don't you think?

Oh and Linux has displaced windows in almost every market, its just the desktop that windows has left, which is probably why he is so anti Linux.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

bradavon 5th Dec

Nonense Steve. Your articles are always so Chrome biased.

Firefox is loaded with features Chrome's nowhere near to implementing and it's performance easily beats Chrome. Certainly since Firefox 7.

The fact you're advocating IE over the fox says it all. IE9 is decent but it's no Firefox, Chrome or Opera replacement.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Bates_ 6th Dec

@bradavon You are trolling right? You've got to be.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

nickswift498 6th Dec

@bradavon What features are you referring to, exactly?

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

aardmaat 8th Dec

@bradavon
I completely agree with you! most features chrome users are proud off, exist in a much better version as an add-on for firefox, sure you can get many off those extensions for those other browsers to, but that means it's implemented twice! what a waste! and as for performance: chrome isn't that fast any more compared to other browsers. it has a very little javascript performance advantage, but other browsers make up for that in fields like hardware accelerated graphics. If you combine all performances, you find that firefox has the best combination

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

ff2 Updated - 5th Dec

@Loverock Davidson- "No its not toast, not by a long shot. Firefox has the community going for it."
Yeah, we know that. The I-want-everything-free-tailored-to-my-needs-and-that-for-yesterday "community", who not only wouldn't ever spend a dime on some software they're using every single day for hours, but even blocks ads, that don't cost them anything (neither in money, nor in time), just because they're such control freaks, and because they stupidly think that ads are invading their life, whereas it's they calling up the pages that happend to contain the ads, too. They also would never donate a single line of code - if not money - to Firefox, because even though they think of themselves as uberskilled geeks, they actually have no clue about the basics of real programming either.

And this "community" is going to save and keep Firefox going? Best joke ever.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

thoiness 6th Dec

@Loverock Davidson- It's the apps (like you said: "the community"). As long as they have the superior apps, they won't be completely doused by Chrome. Once Chrome gets a half-way decent FTP client, however, I'm jumping ship.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

ZazieLavender 6th Dec

SJVN, stop spreading pointless FUD. Firefox is far from dead.

Granted, it's been taking licks from Chrome, and even I don't refuse to tell the average end-user that Chrome is a nice browser, but I personally use Firefox and foresee myself doing so in the future. Numbers won't change that, and numbers won't sway the Firefox community.

Chrome is OSS, but it's nowhere near as open code as Mozilla Firefox has been. The power in Firefox lies not within it's speed or set of features, it lies within it's sheer extensibility. Chrome does offer addons, but there are still many limitations in Chrome placed for many reasons, some good, that prevents certain addons found commonly on Firefox from migrating.

Additionally, people will always be slightly concerned about Google and how well it follows it's own privacy policies. I personally don't use Chrome because I don't particularly want Google to have any control over my browser. The fact that the browser is Google Chrome stops me from considering it a browser that I would like to trust with my day-to-day browsing.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

MoeFugger 5th Dec

It has always been great here.
A few versions not so good till a patch but overall great.
I like the ease of use and the many addons if I want one.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Dodgson1832 5th Dec

I'm still using it and will continue if they fix the memory leak issues that make it unstable after a bit of time with as many tabs/windows open as I have. That being said, I would think that Microsoft would pay a lot to have Bing be the default search engine.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

aardmaat 8th Dec

@Dodgson1832
with many tabs open, you really don't want to start using other browsers! firefox, albeit more memory consuming after a long time than at the begining of a session, uses way less memory with many tabs than browsers like chrome and IE

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

authentictech 15th Dec

@aardmaat That's so true. I've run Firefox often with 50+ tabs open with no noticeable problem with speed.

But with Chrome, 20 plus tabs open and the browser fails to switch between them for a few seconds and fails to render the content of tabs that have not been active for a while.

Furthermore, totalling up the memory use of both Firefox and Chrome they both come out at about the same.

Chrome is fast but overrated in comparisons. The only thing it has over Firefox is a faster startup time but even that lead is now vastly reduced over the latest Firefox with no extensions (which is how people are usually using Chrome when they compare the two)

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

gorash0 Updated - 5th Dec

This is a load of crap, FF has lost only about 5% market share since its heyday at 30%. Meanwhile, IE has lost 25% in the same period. I'd say IE is toast.

Pure old FUD.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Doctor Demento 5th Dec

@gorash0
Microsoft makes absolutely no money from Internet Explorer....none whatever, it's market share could shrink to single digits and they wouldn't care, nor should they....on the other hand, if they decided to fund Mozilla by paying them to make Bing the default search, they could make millions....if not billions....

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

gorash0 Updated - 6th Dec

@Doctor Demento Uh, IE is obviously important for MS in various ways. MS can make IE's homepage to MSN and make the default search engine Bing, etc (why should MS pay millions to Mozilla when they can just make their own browser). Or else why would MS spend so much on IE, including IE9? The reason that MS made IE in the first place was so that they could monopolize the entire web.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

paulfx1 6th Dec

@Doctor Demento Actually Microsoft makes plenty with IE having market share. They sell server software that supposedly works well with it you know?

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

jatbains 5th Dec

The future is apps and web services both first and third party. If FF can't get a paying ecosystem then its dead

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Barnabyh 5th Dec

I like the philosophy and heritage, and it's the browser I have used for the longest period by far, but it really is too slow and half my add-ons are still not working since 5.0 came out. That's negating the whole advantage they once had.
Opera and Chromium have extensions now as well. Chromium ist still crashy and I'm wary of the Google tracking empire, but Opera just fits the sweet spot now, or should we call it the best of the bunch. It's proprietary, but ironically seems more free than others, and is just as fast as Chrome. Think I'll switch soon, and FF can remain as No.2 until I have fully migrated.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

ozl@... 6th Dec

@Barnabyh

Type about:config in the address bar of Firefox 8. Right click anywhere on the new window and select New ==> Boolean from there. A new box will appear where you need to type ???extensions.checkCompatibility.8.0??? without quotes. Set the value to ???false???. Done, now you can see your old add-ons working on new Firefox 8.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Ginevra 6th Dec

@Barnabyh You can fix most of your add-ons by doing as ozl suggests or by installing the Add-On Compatibility Reporter extension.

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I don't understand why everyone (loyal or otherwise) is writing off Firefox

Dietrich T. Schmitz * Your Linux Advocate 5th Dec

Steve,
I've got no reason to switch from Firefox. It has plenty to like.
And while I do have Chromium installed, it doesn't run all my apps--java on SonicWall for example.

Yet Firefox on the same PC running java over SonicWall is fine.
Not everything works perfect with any software.

But Firefox suits my needs and I have stuck with it since when I used to use the Mozilla browser.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Bates_ 6th Dec

@Dietrich T. Schmitz * Your Linux Advocate Your main concern should be the use of a Sonicwall lol. Scrap the hunk of junk and get yourself a Watchguard Firebox.

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You're crazy

LiquidLearner 6th Dec

@Bates_

The Sonicwall isn't even on the same level as a Watchguard. In terms of features and performance the WG doesn't come close.

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I'm with you there DTS

LiquidLearner 6th Dec

@Dietrich T. Schmitz * Your Linux Advocate

Especially on the SonicWall front. It works okay for the main interface but if you're running GMS or ViewPoint Chrome doesn't work at all. Firefox is easily the best choice there.

My problem is Chrome doesn't seem as secure as Firefox. And no, not because "Google harvests my data" BS that most people spout. I actually had an infection hit through Chrome the other day. I didn't install anything. It may have been through it's java engine, but I was browsing along in Chrome on some less-then-reputable sites thinking it was a better choice than IE9. Then all of a sudden Chrome closed and constantly wanted to open with admin permissions. As did Java. Hmmm... Ran comboxfix and it deleted quite a bit, included an infected Chrome.exe. I went ahead and removed it. Back to FF+NoScript for those times I delve into the darker regions of the internets.

I normally do it on my Ubuntu VM but sometimes I'm lazy. FF is a click away rather than having to fire up a VM.

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Just curious

itpro_z 6th Dec

@LiquidLearner, since Google freely admits that all of your data is theirs if you use their services or software, why is it "BS" for those of us concerned about privacy to complain? Before you respond, I don't accept the standard 8 year old's answer that "it's OK because everyone else is doing it!". I don't care who is doing it, it is not OK. Most of us focus on Google on this matter because data collection is the basis for their entire business model.

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DTS it's to generate headlines

ScorpioBlue 6th Dec

That's why they do it. And headlines mean more mouseclicks (money) around here.

I'm currently using Firefox in both Linux Mint and Windows 7 and see no reason to change.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

preilly2@... 5th Dec

Firefox is still my browser of choice, and I think it's going to stay alive and well for a long time. Google Chrome is a marketing tool disguised as a harmless browser. I do use Chromium sometimes because it's fast, but I prefer SRWare's Chromium-based Iron browser. Iron has everything good that Chrome has, but far fewer privacy issues.

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LOL

eMJayy 5th Dec

What's with you bloggers all of a sudden? It's as if you're all trying desperately to manufacture news that doesn't really exist. No, Firefox isn't dead or dying or on life support.

The simple reality is that another browser has also gained popularity, so all the other older major browsers inevitably will experience some degree of shrinkage in their usage market share numbers to accommodate the newest popular browser as it grows its share. That's what's happening right now and that's what you should expect to happen. But that's no cause for alarm or for any calls for the mortician. Besides, so far, the biggest loser is Microsoft by a mile. Suddenly, this year, Microsoft, for the first time ever, is seeing its browser become the third place choice in a large number of developing countries. That's monumental stuff!

If you want real news to report, you should be talking about the incredible amount of share that Chrome is taking from IE in South America. For example, in Brazil, IE lost 19% share since June 2010. In Colombia, IE lost an incredible 30% market share in that exact time period. In Argentina, IE lost 28% market share in the same time period. Meanwhile, in all those countries, the average loss that Firefox suffered was about 7-8% market share. You call that dying? Based on the precipitous rate of decline of IE usage in South America, Firefox may actually 'overtake' it there next year while simultaneously losing the usual small amount of market share that Chrome takes from it. That's what I call news. Oh, and do you know which browser is the most popular in the entire continent of Africa? It's not Chrome (yet) and it's not IE. Firefox usage grew 5% there since last June while IE lost 22% share.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

wendellgee@... 5th Dec

@eMJayy

All of a sudden? half of blogging is making news out of nothing. Its mainly the link-baiting headlines that suck. "IS FIREFOX TOAST!!?!!!?!!" is like guaranteed a click. gj steve on making your ad quota for the month.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Drakaran 6th Dec

@wendellgee@...

Agreed. It seems like a VERY desperate commercial for Chrome (which btw succumbed to a keylogger bug on a website (with no human intervention)) for me. So it ain't so safe either. Oh, AND my bank burped on it's last update too. While FF keeps plugging away, thank you very much!

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

paulfx1 6th Dec

@wendellgee@... There are ads on this web page? I didn't even notice ...

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What Difference Does Marketshare Make?

zack.j 5th Dec

Firefox will live on, the same way the Linux distributions do. There will always be people looking for a cross-platform, non-tracking, and open browser. I use Ubuntu, Windows, Mac, and iOS, and Firefox Sync works wonders! Firefox can drop to 1% marketshare, like Ubuntu, but that won't mean the end. As an occasional web developer, I use Chrome as needed, but I rely and will continue to rely on Firefox, until a compelling and innovative Open-Source, Free, Non-Google/Apple/Microsoft browser appears.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Caveman22 5th Dec

I knew this was an SJVN article before I even clicked the link. The guy has no Journalistic integrity whatsoever. FF slashed it's memory usage to below chrome levels, it's within 10% in terms of speed, has a versatility in both apps and under-the-hood customization that chrome can't compete with, has better hardware acceleration than chrome, a better bookmark system than chrome, better web dev support than chrome, doesn't break as many pages as chrome, doesn't crash as much as chrome, has a better download system than chrome, and the list goes on and on an on.

They all have strengths and weaknesses, but SJVN is an insufferable fanboy who can't keep his personal prejudices out of his writing. Mozilla sucks, Microsoft sucks, Linux is awsum, Google pwns; yes SJVN, we get it. But no, that doesn't give you the right to twist reality to fit your opinions.

The logo below the text box calls this website a CNET "Professional" brand. It's becoming less and less professional by the second.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

jan bLinQue 5th Dec

Yeah I would much prefer to use a browser that has ads shoehorned into it. Gimme a break. Firefox will live on.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

DJK2 5th Dec

I don't care about FF to be honest ... I used it for a while because of an extension for Facebook but it felt so much slower compared to IE 9 that I kept switching back to IE everytime I actually wanted to get some browsing done ... Google Chrome on the other hand does not touch my HDD ... FF is slow but at least its not google crap..

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Grayson Peddie 5th Dec

No. You're toast.

Anyway, Firefox, with all of the styles that I've customized is who I am. Yes, I have NoScript, AdBlock Plus, and Flashblock. Honestly, I don't mind viewing ads, but it depends on what ad I want to view. I like and use my Asterisk phone system, I love to look at hardware components for my computer, and anything technology-based except cars which I hate them as a status quo and that I can't walk in streets in the US.

Besides the ads, I've made Firefox looked the way I want by taking advantage of Aero Glass in Windows 7/8, so I glassed out the address bar and the tabs. I also removed the search box since I no longer use the search feature of Firefox, but instead, I typed in www.google.com, hit Enter, and just do a search in the Internet. I also changed the orange menu bar into just an icon which detracts from the look of the GUI that is made out of glass--probably translucent is the word; in addition, I gave the icon about 25% of transparency and 50% when hovered over an icon via a mouse.

Oh, and a couple more tweaks that I've done is I made the tabs be in the right of the address bar and vertically shrunk the GUI down to make it look compact, thereby raising the address bar and tabs. In effect, I've made it look like Internet Explorer 9, but the text box and tabs have already been glassed using Windows' Aero Glass.

Of course, if I copy my profile from Windows to GNOME or KDE, both of the desktop environments have no Aero Glass; thus, making the GUI opaque.

Other than the negatives with Linux and transparency, Firefox with the customizations is who I am.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Home Grown IT 5th Dec

I loath Chrome and wouldn't use it if it was the last browser on earth. Firefox is a long way from toast.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

rgcustomer@... 5th Dec

A pox on all their houses.

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Toast.....temporarily

terenceng2010 5th Dec

Maybe firefox has to go on a vacation right now......until, maybe one day, chrome turns out to be another IE 6, then it will get its mission again........

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Why

adholt 5th Dec

i am amazed that anyone takes this web site seriously. A few months ago you were lauding Firefox and its supposed dominance. Now Chrome is the flavor of the day. The truth is people use IE more and always will. Its really sad to have to lie to support your favorite browser instead of using facts. Like IE is losing marketshare but not factoring how many computers have more than one browser installed which is always the case here in the US. You complain about Microsoft having IE installed but no complaints about Google forcing Chrome on users in various tricky manners. Most people arent even aware that Chrome is a browser it just sits on the pc because it was loaded along with another app. I would like to see truth return to journalism not lies and advocacy.

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

gorash0 6th Dec

@adholt "The truth is people use IE more and always will."

That's already not true in some countries and it comes default with the OS!

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

Bwinski 5th Dec

Stephen... It isn't quite toast yet, but you hit on something that may be it's final undoing... This whole notion of a hyper-fast release schedules is technology lunacy. Tech folks, the day-to-day working stiffs like you and I, in other countries, although they admire us for our innovation, they sit back in sheer amazement by our lack of 'use' of anything until we deem it obsolete... They truly think we're goofy.

We'll use something for as long as it shines and glitters then we gotta have a new one !! That's just sheer insanity. Sometimes, we exhibit behaviors that demonstrate we believe the lifespan of a tech innovation is less than that of an ice cube on a hot plate... That's why HTC, Samsung, LG, and others have more pieces of kit on the market than they've got ships to export it in. And we're WORSE at demanding more ! Just nuts...

I've been a Firefox user for many years but finally abandoned it about a month ago when it finally got to the point of being so unstable that I ended up reporting crashes to Mozilla 15-20 times a day... That was it. I'm looking for something better and a LOT more stable but nothing has blipped on the radar yet... So for now, Safari on my Macs and iPad's will do just fine, thank you....

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

lodaver 6th Dec

@Bwinski I must wonder what sort of add-ons you're running to be having so much trouble! I've at least 35 extensions, more than 20 plug-ins all working just fine, thankew, and only four extensions awaiting their authors updates, all on Firefox 8.0 on a 3-yr old average system running XP Pro. All this complaining about too-frequent updates is just silly, as the add-on authors catch up quickly and Firefox handles it all handsomely. Overall speed is as good as the pathetic speed supplied by AT&T DSL allows (the major roadblock). I'm sticking with Firefox!

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RE: Is Firefox toast?

kidjenius 5th Dec

No it's not. I've used the nightly version when 11alpha was released and it was freakishly fast... my biggest concern is memory usage, and if firefox does not fix that soon, i will jump to ie9 (i refuse to support google by using chrome)

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Uhmmmm, no....

Raid6 5th Dec

On my servers, albeit small fry compared to ZDNet at roughly 65,000 visitors each month, less than 1% of the traffic is Chrome!

Now I am not saying that this is typical of all servers, but in ranking it goes something like this:

IE 64%
Safari 18% (much to my amazement)
FF 14%

The rest including bots, crawlers etc round out the balance. Chrome is not on the radar, don't know why.

On one of my client servers it is a different story, according to Google Analytics the story goes as follows (yeah yeah, rounded to nearest integer):

IE 61%
FF 15%
Chrome 13%
Safari 4%
...everyone else scrapping for their morsels...

So I don't see FF being irrelevant. If anything Chrome takes a bite out of IE and a perhaps a small bite out of FF. Like anything else its usage will rise, then it will fall over time and when something else will comes along. FF will remain relevant and supported. I suppose that for some people they gotta jump on board the latest crazy train.

Me? As if anyone cares...okay just in case...I stick with FF because it has been a good performer for years. I don't have to install another platform, it is as extensible as I'd ever want, well supported, will never put ads on my pages or in my face, doesn't directly transmit back to the mother ship any of my usage, and is truly FREE.

There you have it.

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You got it pretty much right.

Cayble 6th Dec

@Raid6

For all the carping and whining I hear over the years about IE its always worked fine for me. Sure IE6 wasn't as good as it should have been, certainly far more of a security risk then it should have been, but even IE6 worked well. The majority of computer users I know were using computers and IE6 when it was around, but because they are not IT savvy people and don't read ZDNet, if you asked them about how glad they are IE6 is long gone, they wouldn't know what your even talking about and they would tell you IE6 was no problem for them. We often forget around here, whats big news to the IT savvy isn't even a blip on the radar for the vast majority of the population unless they are one of the few who do get hit with a problem from less then perfect software, and of course those ones will complain and grow into part of the always very vocal minority.

I have always tried every browser I could get my hands on. Over the years of trying and trying, sometimes even forcing myself to stick with a specific non IE browser for a determined period of time, I have always come back to IE because it simply works so well and is laid out well and in my humble opinion leaves the others feeling a bit cheap and rinky dink. Chrome just feels like armature hour when I use it, like there are these minor differences that are simply minor differences for no other purpose then being different. Its like going to buy a Corvette, and some guy says, here, buy our version its better. You look at it and its roof is 4" higher. Its different, but god knows why.

Not saying any of the alternatives are bad, I don't think they are, I always give them a try at different times, just for me, and obviously millions more, IE is where its at for the best online experience.