Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser

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115743

Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser

115743 points posted to Software by robinjfisher 02/19/07 **REVIEWED**

Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.

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wderwin 02/19/07	I need a large "DEMOTE" button for this one.
pdonket 02/19/07	Firefox OWNZ everything else. Plain and simple. I love firefox, IE7 is pathetic in comparison, it's attempt at tabbed browsing blows.
amaroker 02/19/07	Why should Dell decide which browser people use?
pdonket 02/19/07	I must agree that this isn't really "necessary" but it would be nice not to have to install it myself.
wayneo 02/19/07	It's not about Dell deciding what browser people should use, it's about giving the user option. Sure IE7 will be installed, but it will give users the option to try an alternative browser which many users would be aware of.
phoenix1405 02/19/07	Option of firefox would be awesome..It would make the internet a million times safer...
barius 02/19/07	I luve FF.
voxpelli 02/20/07	They should of course have both IE7 and FF2 installed on all their computers giving the users a choice between a bad and a good browser!
banana995 02/20/07	Including Firefox would enhance the web-browsing capabilities of the computer and give customers more of a choice. Firefox is also a very popular web browser and customers who prefer using it would think of computers that feature the browser pre-installed as being better values than computers that don't have it pre-installed.
yesmathew 02/20/07	I agree. Firefox has the ability to move Internet Forward. The usability, security and customization make Firefox a must-have browser for all Web users. - Firefox is exciting because it does more without "feature bloat." - Firefox is exciting because of the global community of people who create it. - Firefox is exciting because it leads the industry. I feel more safer with Firefox than IE.
danielinthelionsden 02/20/07	I agree Firefox should definitely be included in the bundled software. Many people just buy a computer and use whatever software is installed. I have fiends who "didn't even know you could download software." Including firefox in the bundled software allows everyone to have the power of choice online.
rbgaynor 02/20/07	We install Firefox as the default browser here at work (small business), would be awfully nice if we could simply select Firfox as an option at order time.
jrosenfeld 02/20/07	I don't want any apps, fre or not, forced on me., thank you. In fact I don't really like all the extras Dell loads already. You like firefox, others prefer Opera or Mozilla, or Slimbrowser, or, or.... Actually, I happen to prefer IE 7. Why should a PC vendor collect and distribute freeware, easily available on the internet, especially as whatever they select, some will be pleased, others very cross that their favcorites are not included.
armada15 02/20/07	I agree. I prefer firefox my self it is a lot easer to use than IE and crashs less.
eeed 02/20/07	I agree with jrosenfeld. preloading the system with Firefox is entirely different from setting Firefox as the default Internet client. Firefox is a fantastic browser which I use unless the site only works with IE. The browser should stand on its own as an option.
finaldata 02/20/07	Firefox is easier to use... easier to fix if problems occur... so why not install firefox instead of those other crappy software they install with every new dell system...
pkarlos_76 02/20/07	jrosenfeld , so you support IE7 being forced on you, and not giving the choice of another browser? I think "Dell is about Choice!" should be their new advertising slogan if they are to go ahead with preinstalling additional open source software and OS options.
pkarlos_76 02/20/07	Sidenote: I use Firefox for all my banking activities as I don't trust Internet Explorer and it's ActiveX period.
afmaf 02/20/07	Various software can already be selected at purchase time from Dell. Adding Firefox to the list is trivial, and given the apparent support shown here, it would be a worthwhile business choice. Microsoft is still not careful with its upgrades. IE7 broke many web sites including corporate software interfaces. Firefox has been keeping businesses alive while everyone waits for IE7 to be patched sufficiently to work with software that was designed to work correctly with IE6.
capandjudy 02/20/07	There is no need for pre installed Firefox. In the age of the internet FF can be downloaded and installed in about five minutes by the user.
danigoldman 02/20/07	How about creating a page to display when the computer is setup that will suggest alternatives? For example, under the browser section you would have Opera, Firefox, etc. I'm sure we (I work for Opera Software) could work some revenue sharing plan with Dell. Part of our revenue from the desktop browser comes from Google.
dhart 02/20/07	robinjfisher: can you explain to someone someone who has never heard of Firefox why they might want Internet Explorer replaced? (ideas are editable, BTW)
coopersecurity 02/20/07	Terrible idea, as many people really dont care for Firefox. Its never a good idea to be forcing people to use a technology that they dont like or understand, unless your an I.T. administrator = ) lol
pdonket 02/20/07	I don't know how someone wouldn't understand firefox, it's pretty simple to operate.
taterworks 02/20/07	I agree with capandjudy -- the issue of which browser is pre-installed on the machine is trivial, especially when it's so easy to make the switch to Firefox. Perhaps Dell should include a CD of these alternative applications with their computers, which would include alternative software like OpenOffice and Firefox. Sort of like the CD that Maximum PC includes with their magazines.
kyliemanders 02/20/07	If Dell is selling Microsoft Vista as the OS they should be using IE7 as the default browser. It only makes sense, better integration with other Microsoft applications and iIE7 s far sexier looking than Firefox with its chunky dated icons. You don't want to showcase your product with tacky open source cobblings. Most people associate the Internet with Internet Explorer. You also get the best browser experience as most web sites are optimized for Internet Explorer. Take Safari for example. The poor Mac user is a second class citizen on the Internet. Should Dell begin selling Linux boxes than by all means include Firefox on them. These open source folks should have an open source browser. I am not a Microsoft employee but have been a web developer since 1999.
wasabi 02/20/07	Just download the software like everyone else.
stevied 02/20/07	The priority for any web browser loaded on a computer is the corporate -business customer. Legal requirements for handling Email and monitoring and retaining Instant Messages are placing huge resource burdens on the businesses. While alternative browsers can met those requirements, only IE6 and IE7 (as a stand alone product without modification) meets legal requirements of most business users. In addition, Firefux is a waste of HD space. Firefux requires greater a larger active footprint and draws down cpu resouces than either IE7 or Opera. Opera is even less of a viable alternative to IE7. Instant Messaging software bundled with Opera is not generally alllowed in the business community. By the way, at my corporate b2b website, 89% of all consumers are using IE6 or IE7, with the IE7 percentage growing every week (last report about 40% of all visitors were using IE7). 97% of all user errors are from consumers outside of the USA, consumers using IE5 or other older IE versions, all versions of netscape, AOL, opera, Mozilla compliant or Firefux. In simple terms, 89% of the users account for 3% of the browser errors, while 11% of the users account for 97% of the errors. Yep, Firefux and friends is a real viable alternative.
ohmyiv 02/21/07	I wouldn't vote for this idea for one main reason. I feel there should no default browser. I believe people should have a choice.. I would vote for an idea that says, "Firefox should come pre-installed as an option." Just so people have a choice. Some people like IE, some people like Firefox. And neither of them are wrong. BTW, all you flamers from both points of view sound like a bunch of children. Grow up people. Flaming does nothing but cause more flaming and people take this kind of stuff too personal to have flame wars. And stevied, I am not a business user, nor do I conduct very much business on my computer. I still enjoy handling my business face to face with people. I enjoy using Firefox and have encountered no issues with it. And, to the best of my knowledge, all the sites I need to, or want to go to, work perfectly. One more thing, your use of "Firefux" makes me feel you are not very professional at all. Grow up.
yesmathew 02/21/07	Dear ohmyiv, Firefox should be the default browser. Simply because Firefox is a better browser. OK. Take Acid2 test with your favourite browser and see yourself why? Take test at: http://www.webstandards.org/action/acid2<
ltcmurray 02/21/07	Just add all of the current browsers and let the consumer decide.
jss167 02/21/07	I agree that users should know about Firefox and be able to use it. From a security standpoint, I have found it to be very good and constantly updated.
bigee1212 02/21/07	Firefox has severe memory problems. For those of you buying the lower end Dells with low amounts of memory and are running Vista, I'd like to see you be productive with that browser. Personally keep IE7 as the standard browser. For those of you who want to install another browser, go ahead it only takes a few seconds. I personally would want opera over firefox anyday. @yesmathew, Opera has the best compatibility with web standards, better than firefox and IE7. Plus it's much faster!
danmat 02/21/07	Please Yes!!!! IE is the ban of the Internet.
nicosmos 02/21/07	Yes ! Firefox pre-installed on a PC ... excellent :)
kingjorge 02/21/07	Horrible Idea. First off, Firefox is not the only alternative to IE. I use Opera and would be annoyed that Firefox was pre-installed on my OS which goes into the next point. I find it kind of ironic that this post ranks up around the same area of all the posts asking for LESS pre-installed software. Firefox will be just another application I will have to uninstall before I get to start using my system the way I like it.
pdonket 02/21/07	Maybe because it's actually good software?
limerat 02/21/07	Ive used Firefox for over a year,and yes,it is wonderful. It ads protection for Windows users and more ad-ons than you can shake a stick at. it's worth using .
lesleyb 02/21/07	I got my Precsion Nov last year First thing I did was download Firefox, Open Office, GIMP and Scribus. Firefox is my default browser
chanquest 02/21/07	robinjfisher, dude, have you been living in a cave. IE is bundled with Windows, you don't have a choice. IE is going to be on the PC. MS just went through an anti-trust in Europe where they agree to sell Windows without IE and with IE. But MS initial reaction to the ruling was they can uninstall it but the judge said deny.
coopersecurity 02/21/07	I dont like IE7, as I will try to continue to use IE6 well into the future. In fact, I even uninstall IE7 out of Vista and install IE6 instead.
yesmathew 02/22/07	Dear coopersecurity, try Firefox and I am sure you will not turn back to IE. http://www.getfirefox.com I am suggesting this because my web experience is completely changed. I am more productive in this Internet world. Rediscovering the web every day....
tieden 02/22/07	kyliemanders: Please when you post something can you please actually check something out. I find all of your comments to be pure prejudice, and opinionated. I can tell that you have no experience with these things, or if you do then not enough. Firefox for example blows IE7 out of the water. And as for the icons, you seriously haven't seen the add-ons have you? The themes there blow IE7 out of the water completely. As I said, please try this stuff before you comment.
andycbrown 02/22/07	As a Firefox user I would support it being offered as an option, but after all, your choice of software is a personal thing, so I don't think it's right to impose ANY application on everyone. IE has been built into Windows for a long time but that doesn't mean you have to use it. It would be nice to have your choices integrated into whatever build you opt for - that way it will have been thoroughly tested before release and you won't get configuration problems.
chrigixx 02/22/07	If you run windowsupdate, it will install IE7 anyway, so, i think only firefox is a really bad idea. a choice would be very beautiful. The security aspect is not very great, cause IE7 and FF uses the same protocols se the OSI-model(Open Systems Interconnection Basic Reference Model ) the only thing on ff which is much better is Javascript. I mean, this is not a good idea...
bpeterso2000 02/22/07	Demote. This is a non-issue. As in previous comments, simply install your favorite browser. Dell should not be in the business of selecting your alternative browser(s) for you. See the "No Extra Software Option", I am guessing this is most likely what the majority of users who would choose Firefox would select anyway. It’s either that or the “No OS option”. And I suspect that most users who already know what Firefox is also know how to install it. Another web browser is just going to confuse non-technical users even more by giving them multiple choices to do the same thing. Most Non-technical users just want to get on the Internet and they don't really care what browser they use to do it.
webmonkey44 02/22/07	I totally agree that firefox should be installed as the default browser.
yesmathew 02/23/07	Dear bpeterso2000, Normal user do not know how to install Firefox or that mater any additional software. And I have seen IE public/users do not use Internet much or you can say they are not active web user in this generation, simply because once it is infected, they do not know how to remove and protect their computer. Firefox can solve this problem to a large extent. I have also seen with IE users they fear a lot to go to web. Do you want that to happen?
johnnyk 02/23/07	Digg this: http://digg.com/software/Vote_for_Dell_to_pre_install_Firefox/
operafan 02/23/07	" I feel there should no default browser" Hum, if there's no default browser, no pre-installed browser, how do you browse the web ? You install your favourite browser from a cd ? Come on, pre-installed software is necessary, as long as we can uninstall them easily.
sfsmiley 02/23/07	Come on people, a company cannot decide what browser you WILL use....... This is the problem with microsoft. I would expect Microsoft to support their own browser, they developed it!! Dell should have a script installed in the general config of the computer. On first boot, you choose the default web browser, just like you choose your time zone, you choose your desktop, etc.
ohmyiv 02/23/07	@yesmathew..I agree , firefox is better, I've been using it for a few years now, but people should have a choice. Let the individual person decide. Like I said some people like FF, some IE, and others Opera. Give them the choice. @operafan...I'm sorry i didn't make myself clear. Of course a preinstalled program is necessary. I meant instead of having only ie installed, have opera and/or firefox included as an option.
bmoliver 02/23/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/22/07 Provide Firefox as browser Provide Firefox as the default internet browser.
mike_lee 02/23/07	Firefox is not ready for prime time. Example had to use opera to register for this site because Firefox wouldn't work. Oh sure I could spend the next 5 hours on Mozilla help forums or searching the Internet to find a solution but I don't wanna cruise the internet for the sole purpose of keeping my browser working. Example Two: Firefox ram usage is currently at 211,048 It's been 20 minutes since my last Firefox restart (thank god for the restore function, but shame on them for needing it as part of the program) My mother could not keep firefox (or Linux for that matter) running. Firefox was wonderful at 1.07 it's been going downhill ever since. --
petzymathuram 02/24/07	Hi, Mozilla is fast. There exists a problem with MFF which is nothing but certain characters like Quotes and other symbols sometimes get displayed as $ signs and other symbols. I have experienced them. So one cannot entirely depend on MFF.
tkell97 02/24/07	I have used IE ever since last year, and it's so ssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... I used safrie on the mac and didn't have many problems, but firefox is better! Thumbs Down: No Choice on Browser that means Idea: On statup, choice bettween browsers Thumbs Up: Firefox is Safer and fun
yesmathew 02/24/07	Ok. A question for those who says an option to be given on default browser: If a user do not know which option to select, then what? (user does not know the difference between IE, Firefox & Opera) 1. Firefox Internet Browser (default) 2. Opera 3. IE What you all say?
pdonket 02/24/07	IE has to come with the computer, it's part of windows. The choice would be between Opera and Firefox.
steve_barker 02/24/07	Opera default, with Firefox option. Good idea to have a selection of browsers, but Opera is the better choice - by far . In my humble opinion.
agret 02/24/07	steve_barker I know Opera sure confused the hell out of me with its interface when I first used it. It's not really ready for your average user. I'd make Firefox default and Opera option.
pdonket 02/24/07	Yeah, Firefox looks more similar to the average user.
coolest 02/24/07	That's the first application I put on a new computer. And it's a new standard.
valeryan_24 02/25/07	Mozilla Firefox is an excellent browser, very powerful, which respects the W3 standards, opensource, with thousands of extensions to customize it. It is multi-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac) and secure, so I think Dell should pre-install it as default browser on the computers.
petzymathuram 02/25/07	Hi, I wish Dell to introduce a browser with a multi- platform option on it's own in the days to come.........Will that not be great?;-) ;-);-)
pdonket 02/25/07	I must say, Dell does offer some great products, but I'm not so sure their made out for the software market.
johnnyk 02/25/07	Maybe asking Dell to set Firefox as the default browser is too much to ask. I'd be more than happy if Firefox was just pre-installed.
prediger 02/26/07	@kyliemanders Did you ever hear something about Web-Standards? No? Then what a web-developer are you? Again, try Brain 1.0!!
chordonblue 02/26/07	@kyliemanders Now Kylie, can't we agree to disagree? MS has never been about promoting a 'standard' unless it's a self-imposed one. Remember how they tried to hijack Java (and got their piddies burned for it?) Even with IE7 there are some obvious flaws and while Firefox isn't perfect, the community certainly makes up for it with effort and continued improvements. I guess I could care less which browser is the 'default', but there's nothing wrong with choice. Let's install Firefox by default and let the user decide. What say?
pdonket 02/26/07	also, can I ask you all, on my firefox plugins simply refuse to work as for movie playback on webpages, does anybody have a solution? (in all seriousness I want an answer, i'm not trying to be critical since I love firefox)
dialsoft 02/26/07	MSIE works fine for me. Its fast, it works, and it doesnt have a billion people telling me how much it rules 24/7. Im sure lots of people like it but it isnt ready for prime time.
sgoldman 02/26/07	There is no need to pre-install software that can be downloaded for free and installed within minutes. It's completely unnecessary.
vozome 02/26/07	that goes pretty much against the idea of having no preinstalled software. I use firefox - in fact, I also use opera, flock, and ie. I would MUCH prefer installing FF on a 100% clean system than having it and a few other so-called "essential" software preinstalled.
n0lqu 02/26/07	Someone said "Why should Dell decide which browser people use?" My question is, why should Microsoft decide which browser people use -- if Dell doesn't decide, de facto Microsoft has. I think Dell has as much if not more right to decide which browser people use than Microsoft, in as much as people have more of a choice in what brand of computer to get then in what brand of operating system to get, and Dell might want to choose the superior web browser for their users to differentiate themselves from other computer brands. And it's not about Dell forcing people to use one browser or the other, it's about giving people a better choice by default, which they can then go with or make a different choice. If Microsoft had not "welded" IE into Windows so it can't be removed (well, it can be, but not easily), I'd advocate Dell offering an option to offer a Firefox-only configuration. But since that isn't really an option, given the historical and legion security problems with IE and the better feature set of Firefox, I am fully in favor of having Firefox pre-installed (with all common plugins also pre-installed) AND set as default, and having IE available through All Programs but not cluttering up the Desktop. Name the Firefox icon something like "Firefox Web Browser" or "Firefox Internet Explorer" or just "Web Browser" to make it clear that's what you use to get on the Web. Anybody who knows and cares can certainly choose for themselves, but the majority who don't know or care would just get a better overall experience with less security worries, and have a more favorable Dell experience.
n0lqu 02/26/07	It's not really possible or desireable to not have a "default" browser, but if it's really about User choice rather than Microsoft or Dell or someone else trying to force a specific browser on you, I think Dell should provide an opening screen giving the user a choice, with pros and cons for each, between IE, FireFox, Opera, and any viable web browser, as well as between Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Eudora, etc. on the E-Mail side, with the option to remove or keep any browsers/E-Mail clients not selected as default. Ideally, that should be extended to all added software. That would both give the user their choice, plus remove any they don't want cluttering up their system (i.e. for those of us who are getting sick of all the extra unwanted "crap" computer manufacturers are putting on their systems). In a full choice situation like this, I would still encourage Dell to put a "Dell recommends Firefox and Thunderbird" type statement on the selection page for those users who don't know/care and wants someone to decide for them. Some have said it's easy enough for someone to download and install Firefox, but that's assuming (1) they even know they have a choice, (2) they are on a broadband connection (most modern "choices" take a long time to download through dial-up, and lots of people are still using dial-up), and (3) they know where to find it, how to download and install, etc. If Firefox is not preinstalled on the hard drive, at least put it on an included CD to make it easy for a user to install, and let the user know there's good stuff on the CD.
wh 02/26/07	Having this installed on Windows boxes will give customers a choice, again. Firefox is stable and reliable, and a very good alternative to MSIE. Having it pre-installed could be used to market a "more secure browsing experience" with Dell.
someguy 02/26/07	There seems to be quite a bit of FUD in these comments. Perhaps some Microsoft employees hanging out here? :) Where to start... Dell would be doing the world a big favor if they would hide IE and make Firefox the only visible choice. But short of that, as long as Dell is bundling other software with the computer they might as well throw in Firefox. At least leave the icon on the desktop and let the user make it the default browser if they want. It's not like it takes any significant disk space, and is not invasive. For many people "just downloading and installing" something is not as easy or simple as it is for people here. Having Firefox immediately available would be a huge convenience to those who wish to use a safer, better, browser without the hassle. This also would make it infinitely easier for people to learn about what Firefox is even if they don't choose it. Microsoft already forces you to have IE - no choice. Adding Firefox adds choice. And if you really don't like Firefox it can be easily and cleanly uninstalled (a feature IE lacks). If Firefox doesn't look pretty enough on Dell's default desktop there is no reason they couldn't easily add a fancy new Dell theme. Any web site that is worth anything and isn't stuck in the 1900's works fine in Firefox. Which has the advantage that you can enjoy the same web experience regardless if you are using Windows, Linux, Solaris or Mac. This can be a big plus in a business environment as it can potentially make the OS a commodity. And Firefox works with major Firewall/Proxy platforms such as Microsoft ISA server that are used in many corporate environments. So to Mr. FUD T. "Firefox might not meet legal requirements", this is how a normal corporate network tracks and logs web usage and it doesn't matter what Browser or OS you use. I reminisce of days gone by when OSes didn't have a web browser. Your browser came in a box and you had to pay for it like any other software. That was ultimate choice. This is how I get firefox: C:\>ftp ftp.mozilla.org Connected to manna.mozilla.org. 220 (vsFTPd 2.0.1) User (manna.mozilla.org:(none)): anonymous 331 Please specify the password. Password: 230 Login successful. ftp> cd pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.2/win32/en-US 250 Directory successfully changed. ftp> get "Firefox Setup 2.0.0.2.exe" 200 PORT command successful. Consider using PASV. 150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for Firefox Setup 2.0.0.2.exe (6006304 bytes). 226 File send OK. ftp: 6006304 bytes received in 110.19Seconds 54.51Kbytes/sec. ftp>
ken_saunders 02/26/07	I'm sincerely grateful that we all finally have a chance to be heard by a credible source. I've been a volunteer for Mozilla for 2 years and my greatest hope has always been that computer manufacturers would give their customers a choice in how they browse the Internet. I as a potential customer would purchase a Dell PC not only for its quality, but for Dell's offering of fairness in an area that no one has had the guts to take on. I'm not an IE or MS basher, I actually enjoy some of Microsoft's products, but I believe that I use the best software available for my needs, and for my Internet usage needs, Firefox is the best product available and it should at least be offered to consumers for them to make a choice, not to have a choice made for them. You could count on getting even more customers by offering Firefox. The Mozilla communities strongly stand behind their supporters and you'd get a loyal and dedicated user base from millions worldwide. There are many who will not have their voices heard here because they're simply not aware that someone is finally listening. So I'll speak for them and ask that you make the move and commitment to ship Dell PC's with Firefox pre-installed. Ken Saunders Administrator www.SpreadFirefox.com www.AccessFirefox.com<
nccastle 02/26/07	Firefox is slow and it is a complete wast of processing time
pdonket 02/26/07	it's neither slow nor a waste of processing time, but thanks for trying.
rchawley 02/26/07	I was one of the first people that I knew to have Firefox, and I recommended it to most people who asked. But I find that Firefox is worse and less secure with the release of FF2. I will readily admit that Vista is perhaps the most boring and worthless OS Microsoft has ever produced. Vista is top-heavy with eye candy code, but has no major improvements. I do find, however that IE7 is the best browser on the internet. As an avid FF1-FF1.5 user i was very active in my hatred of IE6. But the release of FF2, which lacked 3rd Party Cookie Blocking, (the importance of which cannot be underestimated,) combined with the release of a faster, more effective IE7 convinced me to switch back`. I also have a Mac OSX, and one of my biggest problems is Safari's Ctrl-F feature, which is similar to that of IE. The difference between the two is an add-on for IE available at http://www.ookii.org/software/findasyoutype/ which convinced me to get rid of FF completely (at least on the PC). Six months ago I would not have said that IE7 would be better than FF. Credit has to go to Microsoft, this is the best thing they've done in years.
crazzygooses 02/27/07	argh, i use Firefox but dont need "any" crapware installed. This means that I just want my Operating System with no crapware or other programs.
foxy 02/27/07	To pre-install Firefox on PC's for consumers would be a major step in 'taking back the web' for them. Compared to Microsoft's browser (Internet Explorer), Firefox offers much, much more - both in terms of security and usability, with the massive collection of extensions/themes available amongst the opensource community. To set Firefox as the default bowser, thereby meaning that users would still probably click on 'internet' and get a browser opening up would not detract from the users experience in any way. If they wanted to, they could simply set Internet Explorer as their default browser - although when compared with many other browsers, Internet Explorer fails miserably in every way possible.
jonathanorlev 02/27/07	Firefox indeed should be either the default version, or at least let users choose which one to use. I have used both IE and Firefox, and Firefox is by far better than IE.
villa 02/27/07	Firefox is the second most popular browser in the world. People deserve choice, and if there are going to be only two, those should be IE (since it's there anyway) and Firefox. Firefox has proven to be safer and more stable than IE, so those are good points toward making it the default. At any rate, I'm all for having it at least as an option.
impeller 02/27/07	Having been a web designer for a number of years now, I see this as a genuinely excellent idea. The installation of Firefox, a standards compliant, more secure browser supported by an awesome community, would be a great way to provide DELL customers with a better internet experience. Making it the default browser, although maybe not pleasing to the supplier of the machines OS, would do wonders for internet usage generally speaking (see my email below). Firefox is also obviously a great choice as it's open source. And Dell - you would receive major publicity for standing up and being counted. The praise from the technically-literate press and media would only generate more brand awareness. As for reasons behind this issue, I'm pasting in an email I recently sent to someone who wanted to know about the situation. ----- As discussed, further reading for you below. It should only take 15-30 minutes. General http://browsehappy.com/ http://www.stopie.com/old/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_explorer#Criticism http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/news/2004/06/15/why-you-should-dump-internet... Security http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/400 http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2007/01/internet_explorer_unsafe_f... http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2047195,00.asp How web designers are affected You only need to read the introductory paragraphs of these articles to get the idea. http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?page=1&cid=C37E0 http://www.positioniseverything.net/explorer.html http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200701/bill_gates_on_web_standards_huh/ Things are changing http://www.xitimonitor.com/en-us/technicals/ie7-and-firefox-2-december-2006/i...
sputnik 02/27/07	i love FireFox... 1 problem my company no install FF . PC - DELL. Company - Cnet Channel dFactory Sarl [Russia] - Moscow.
willyandres 02/27/07	Excellent idea, great idea. It's must to be real.
sergio_br 02/27/07	I use Firefox since 2005. I have retired Internet Explorer totally, because Firefox is safer, faster and has much more interesting features by its extensions and themes. The best part of Firefox is its strong security and constant development by a huge community of programmers all over the world. Firefox gets better and better and new updates are delivered automatically to us very often. I love Firefox for me it is the definitive browser ever. Dell is doing a great thing offering this amazing open source software to give their costumers a much better Internet Experience. Please ship Firefox as default browser.
jamwxnut 02/27/07	At minimum, Firefox should be included in a choice of browsers offered by Dell.
clj2289 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/19/07 Mozilla products: preinstalled & OSS antivirus Install Mozilla Thunderbird, firefox and open source anti virus like clam win.
mfearby 02/27/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/24/07 Not so sure about Clam Win... I'd prefer to see Norton installed and not McAfee (which a recent purchaser of a Dell machine told me was a nightmare to remove). Definitely install Firefox and maybe Thunderbird. Perhaps even Opera, too. If more people realised that Internet Explorer is not the internet, the better.
clj2289 02/27/07	Install Mozilla Thunderbird, firefox and open source anti virus like clam win.
gatesgamer33 02/27/07	I think that all the people who go and say "this is unnecessary" or "demote" are total idiots. Fx is the best browser out there. and I've tried them ALL! (believe me!) There is not a better browser than Fx! Go Firefox! Go Open source! Dell had better do this or I'm going to go and kick Dell's big,chunky,business losing @$$!
gforce145 02/27/07	Firefox is hugely better than IE. If Dell does start offering Linux then this will surely be the browser of choice on this platform at the very least.
hansond 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/27/07 Firefox It would be nice if Firefox came pre-installed.
jaggad 02/27/07	I agree!
suyodhana 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/23/07 Pre load some popular firefox pluggins To make PC more cheaper and affordable, you can do 2 things. 1) install the choice of OS (any popular version of linux) 2) install firefox 3) point to web2.0 productivity tools This is very important. instead of loading lot of junk SW, You can get user to install popular free office productivity pluggins like Zoho.com they have every thing, from word processor, spread sheet, power point, wiki, planner and email client. This combination of free tools with free os should reduce the price of PC or laptop atleast by $100. It is good HW + free OS + free office suite that makes killer combination.
rlemmett 02/27/07	It's high time that the general, non-techie user was made aware that there are alternative browsers to IE. What better way than to include the best browser, Firefox as standard with Dell computers? Great good publicity too for Dell. It's a win-win situation.
kdubber 02/27/07	FireFox should at the VERY least be installed as an option..as Default?? Not so sure.. let the consumer decide..I tend to agree that IE7 is far better than expected..but I still do not think it is as good as FireFox. My personal opinion I am entitiled to it and everyone else is entitled to theirs as well.. how much time would it take to prebundle Opera FireFox and IE7...biggest problem.. MS..THEY won't like it at all! Kent ps.. if you like the idea of Dell developing it's own distro of Linux .. see this: http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/63462/DeLLinux_
ethan 02/27/07	This is a given. I can't understand why Dell, and other manufacturers haven't taken this up already. Its not an issue of forcing software on people. Its a topic of giving options.

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