Comments on: Firefox 3 to set download record on June 17?

With the new browser version, Mozilla is attempting to gain an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for attracting the largest number of software downloads in a single day.

[thedreaming]

It's a great strategy. Get everyone excited about breaking a record and at the same time get people to download their browser, but just because they downloaded the browser, doesn't mean they intend on using it.

[Kev Orng]

It is a great strategy. Breaking the record will help with brand recognition. A little coverage and more people will know the name FireFox. Then, hopefully, when I tell people why they should use alternative browsers, I don't also have to explain FireFox, because they'll have already heard of it. Currently, a lot of average users think Internet Explorer is the only option they have, and that's just sad.

Why use alternative browsers? They support open standards, for one thing. They drive innovation, just about every snazzy "new" feature in IE7 came from Opera, FireFox and Safari. And browser diversity improves security and slows virus proliferation.

And I'll say the exact same thing about email clients and operating systems if you ask.

[Kev Orng]

It is a great strategy. Breaking the record will help with brand recognition. A little coverage and more people will know the name FireFox. Then, hopefully, when I tell people why they should use alternative browsers, I don't also have to explain FireFox, because they'll have already heard of it. Currently, a lot of average users think Internet Explorer is the only option they have, and that's just sad.

Why use alternative browsers? They support open standards, for one thing. They drive innovation, just about every snazzy "new" feature in IE7 came from Opera, FireFox and Safari. And browser diversity improves security and slows virus proliferation.

And I'll say the exact same thing about email clients and operating systems if you ask.

[coryschulz]

Still won't be as good as Safari.

[thelemurking]

It already kills Safari... you wouldn't know that since you drink that special kool aid

[IKE:)]

Sorry, but Safari can't compare with Mozilla FF, even though its good software.

[suryax]

Keep your safari to yourself *******..

[Lerianis]

Actually, it is infinitely better than Safari. I tried Safari recently, and I absolutely LOATHED the thing, to be perfectly honest, and I gave it a good week or so of being my primary browser before I said "You know, I don't like this..... IE8 or Firefox 3 only!"

[bobcode]

Safari for Windows doesn't try to fit in with Windows. It messes with the muscle memory. Is FireFox trying to match the host environment? Better specs is good.

[Kev Orng]

FireFox fits in well with Windows. It breaks a couple minor UI rules on Mac but nothing most users can't get over, if they even notice.

[kwhsy82]

Safari? Argh, so incompatible. Stuff I use (like Sportsline) always takes 3 weeks to adapt to a Safari release.

[Kev Orng]

Safari is not without its problems, but don't blame Safari for incompatibility, unless you're still on version2.
Almost all browsers other than IE are built on open standards. IE insists on MS proprietary standards. Site designers wanting to add complex features often have to design their site so it works both with Open Standards and with Microsoft's proprietary standards. Some designers only bother to design for Microsoft IE, thus causing compatibility issues for the other 20% or so of Firefox users, Mac users, and other browsers.
Firefox is better than Safari at more-or-less gracefully keeping it together on a site designed only for IE. But the fact that some designers choose to use the MS proprietary standards is not Safari's fault.

Personally, when I hit a site designed only for IE, it's often an older site that hasn't been updated in fve years, but if not, I'll happily take my clicks elsewhere if they aren't going to design for everybody.

[Michael Grogan]

I've been using beta versions of firefox 3 for a couple months now and it is, without a doubt, the best browse I've ever used! When I have to use IE7 I cringe at the useless searches and the sloooow load times.

[slimpunk]

How ironic would it be if their servers crashed that day?

[MatthewFabb]

In a recent interview Kevin Lynch from Adobe mentions (http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Adobe-Floating-on-AIR/) that Flash is currently being installed at 12 million times a day. Ted Patrick once again from Adobe points out (http://www.onflex.org/ted/2008/05/mozilla-world-record-problems.php) that there's spikes as high as 25 million a day.

Should Adobe submit their server logs to Guinness Book of World Records for the record and resubmit it any time there is a spike? Would Microsoft be able to beat that 25 million number with any of their new applications rolled out with their automatic updates?

Either way, it's doubtful that Mozilla will break any records, they will just be the first to submit a record to Guinness Book of World Records.

[Seaspray0]

Great post, MatthewFabb. The info you provide is an eye opener. Maybe the companies you mention are not interested in being published in a book full the oddities.

[DoohanOK]

No way will they break the "record". Adobe's Flash Player is downloaded a massive number each and every day for a "penetration rate" of 98.8% of all internet-enabled desktop clients.

[DADSGETNDOWN]

(There is currently no Guinness Book record for that accomplishment.)

Haha! I found this weird and funny.
Guess it wasn't hard to do.
Whoever the first person to download FF3 was, set a Guinness Book Record.