Microsoft Tries To Catch Up With Firefox Extensions

Now MS has their own version of Add-Ons out for IE6 -IE7 Beta 2 in a desperate attempt to catch up with the extension fever of the mozilla genre of browsers. They've set up a site called Add-Ons for Internet Explorer which showcases both free and commercial varieties.

 

Microsoft on Tuesday launched a site to promote Internet Explorer add-ons in an attempt to compete with Mozilla Corp.'s long-running site that specializes in extensions for the open-source Firefox browser.

 

The Add-Ons for Internet Explorer page hosts both free and for-a-fee add-ons to IE 6 and IE 7 Beta 2, and is organized in security, time saving, browsing, and entertainment categories. A search tool can be used to sift through the add-ons.

 

"We want to make it easier for users to find valuable add-ons, and to promote our partners who develop add-ons," said Tina Duff, an IE program managers, on the team's blog.

 

IE 7 Beta 2 users can access the site from the browser's Tools menu (Tools/Manage Add-Ons/Find More Add-ons).

 

Until Tuesday, IE add-ons, which include toolbars, download managers, pop-up blockers, and multimedia plug-ins, were spread throughout Microsoft's massive site, or if not there, on publishers' own Web sites.

 

The move is an obvious counter to Mozilla's Firefox, which has an extensive list of extensions -- that browser's terminology for an add-on -- here. The Extensions site has been in operation since before the release of Firefox 1.0 in 2004.

 

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/microsoft-plugs-ie-add-ons-with-new-site/d/d-id/1042601

 

LOL

Microsoft and Internet Explorer have been far behind since the day firefox was released. Recently they've been doing a lot more to try to catch up with all the other browsers out there that have been gaining popularity because of Internet Explorer's lack of expandability. They also recently added the tabbed browsing feature that almost all the other browsers have had as a feature for a long time. All I really have to say on this topic is it's about time Microsoft decided to get to it and get Internet Explorer out of the stone age

Im just wondering how they aren't shamed, always copying other people's work?

Im just wondering how they aren't shamed, always copying other people's work?

lol, that's the problem.. They're so far behind that they have to catch up before they can even think of developing their own ideas. They're getting closer with Internet Explorer 7

Also, one more thing that comes to mind.. I know Firefox has had a lot of security issues recently so I'm hoping they keep up with the security side of it along with the other updates..

I don't care if it's a copy...A lot of the best things come from copying but making sure it's implemented well.Firefox wasn't the first to use tabbed browsing so did they copy Opera?I welcome the change but just hope this isn't another open door for vulnerabilities.But firefox is going down the dark path of sluggishness, security vulnerabilities and instability sooo... might just use IE instead again or try out Opera.

Open source is the way for the future. Big old microsoft is too slow now. Even the "innovative" Windows Live isn't very impressive...

*rolls around with feet kicking the air*So funny...A little late to jumping up on the bandwagon, aren't we? It's not Microsoft's copy-cat act that I'm laughing about, but rather Microsoft's lateness in adopting what obviously was a winning strategy for Firefox. It's not the first time MS has been behind the times. If I recall correctly, they were also behind during the advent of the Internet age — seems old Billy Gates didn't think the Internet had a future. =^^=Part of the problem likely stems from the fact that Microsoft likes to style themselves as being the leading edge of computer and internet technology. They seem to hold to the idea that if they [Microsoft] didn't start a trend, then it's not going anywhere. Thus they always have to play catch-up, like they did with the 'Net, portable handhelds (palmtops), and now, web browsers. They've always felt so secure on their pedestal that they just didn't think of the competition. Now, they're discovering (to their dismay) that the giant has clay feet. =^^=

Interesting how some of the IE add-ons require a fee. I bet Microsoft puts all of the halfway-decent add-ons in that category - along with all the ones that actually work *grins*

was just wondering why don't the new Linux distro's aint comming with Firefox???i was astonished to find even the latest mandrake/fedora distro comming only with Konqueror and Mozilla.That is the first step that FireFox should take, make sure they come pre-installed on most Linux distros.

was just wondering why don't the new Linux distro's aint comming with Firefox???

Well the latest knoppix and gentoo live CDs both come with firefox. But it's weird that there still are distros which are only giving mozilla. Is mozilla being developed at all now? I thought firefox was mozilla and netscape's offspring with much better useability and features builtin.

As far as IE aping firefox's features, I must say

"A wise man is one who realises his mistake and tries to correct himself"

It's not a bad thing that they're trying to improve IE. It definitely needs a LOT of improvement. But trying to push it onto people saying it's the 'leet' browser just doesn't cut ice.

uh... I wud like to make a note to all those referring to IE as feature starved and extensibility deprived.

See, with more than 1000 workers working on a single product, that too under an organized atmosphere, its not tough to put all these little features that we call 'basic'.

The catch is, MS had been involved a suit by i dont know which firm, that argued Windows OS came bundled heavily with software (Linux users would be laughing to that...). For that reason MS had to let go providing the bare minimum features and let the developers work out other advanced stuff.

There have been many popular browsers that became popular piggy backing onto IE... one gud example would be NeoPlanet. It was a skinnable browser, that looked very very kewl, had IE as its base, and gained immense popularity after its release in 99 (i guess).
Similarly there have been many such newer IE extended browsers, like MyIE 2 etc. which are used by many.

Well, I have myself made an IE extended browser with tabbed browsing feature and popup blocking feature (much before SP2), and put up its source on http://www.a1vbcode.com/ ( http://www.a1vbcode.com/app-3022.asp )
That was just an effort to show people how easy it is to code these features, and bring into light that how idiot the vendors where in making them appear as if these features were directly brought down from heaven.

A customized browser of my choice would be a browser that allows me to render a page in IE as well as FireFox (specially as a web developer, i need to take care of websites rendering on both platforms).
I guess some idiot FireFox programmer made an extension by which users could bring an IE browser into FireFox. FireFox should not do that. Puts a wrong impact. A third party developer does it, thats fine.

lol, that's the problem.. They're so far behind that they have to catch up before they can even think of developing their own ideas. They're getting closer with Internet Explorer 7
Also, one more thing that comes to mind.. I know Firefox has had a lot of security issues recently so I'm hoping they keep up with the security side of it along with the other updates..

I don't understand why everyone calls down microsoft, they arn't as bad as everyone things because if it wasn't for them, we wouldnt be as advanced as we are today because microsoft gives other corporations a reason so advance quickly.

As for IE 7 beta 2 its being offered to everyone who wants it, not just selected few check it here and i think because of microsoft taking its time with inovations that other browsers thought of a long time ago they are better.

Other browsers think to much of a user friendly interface that they lose sight of security and stability. IE is so secure and so stable mostly because a large percentage of the world uses windows in conjunction with linux and mac. FirFox is just a open source explorer made by 2 people who got lucky because they made it so customizable. but making a browser that way causes major stability and security issues.

There are better more secure and more user friendly alternatives like maxathon which is based off of microsofts IE engine so most sites that work with IE will work with Maxathon but not firfox (microsoft.com) Then there is Netscape which has also become free and it has the ability to switch between the firefox and internet explorer engines thus working with sites that are coded for firfox and those that are coded for ie.

Then there is opera which is on its own engine but based of of ie but is much more secure and much more user friendly, especially since it became free.

basically you guys shouldnt bash microsoft just because they worry about security more then customizability unlike firefox which focuses on customizability more then stability or security...

I am so loving this thread. =^^=

 

I don't understand why everyone calls down microsoft, they arn't as bad as everyone things because if it wasn't for them, we wouldnt be as advanced as we are today because microsoft gives other corporations a reason so advance quickly.

Microsoft, the reason for our technological advancement? That's a matter of opinion. Very much a matter of opinion. Might as well thank Hitler for nuclear power since he started the war that pushed people to develop nuclear weapons in the first place and thus advance technology as a whole. If there's any reason why Microsoft would provide incentive for other developers to advance, it's because those developers are trying to fill the hole left by the growing number of dissatisfied Microsoft customers. Just look at all those people who switched to Firefox and Linux. =^^=

 

As for IE 7 beta 2 its being offered to everyone who wants it, not just selected few check it here and i think because of microsoft taking its time with inovations that other browsers thought of a long time ago they are better.

Eh, you might want to check that link again. IE7 is available only for a selected few. According to the official MS info, IE7b2 is available only for Windows XP SP2 users, XP Pro x64, and Windows Server 2003 SP1. Oh, and it'll probably also come out with the new Vista OS. Now if that's Microsoft's definition of 'everyone', then I'm afraid that a developer with such a myopic view just isn't worth very much.

 

And then there's your statement about Microsoft being better because they're taking their time with innovations that other browsers thought of a long time ago...

 

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Sorry, that just doesn't compute. =^^= Care to run that by me again? Have you taken a look at IE7's overview? I did, and you know what? Their 'new' features just aren't that new. Practically everything you would be getting with IE7 can already be had on Firefox. Heck, even the browser's layout isn't original! =^^=

 

Other browsers think to much of a user friendly interface that they lose sight of security and stability. IE is so secure and so stable mostly because a large percentage of the world uses windows in conjunction with linux and mac. FirFox is just a open source explorer made by 2 people who got lucky because they made it so customizable. but making a browser that way causes major stability and security issues.

IE, secure and stable? Wow, where have you been living the past couple of years? If there's anything IE's known for, it's how many security flaws it has. It's gotten so bad that two years ago the U.S. Government's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) pleaded with users to stop using Internet Explorer and recommended that people use alternative browsers.

 

That was two years ago, so how have they [Microsoft] been doing since? Answer: Not very well. Just take a look at Secunia's vulnerability report for Internet Explorer 6.x. 25% unpatched security flaws doesn't make for a pretty picture. For comparison, here's Firefox's vulnerability report.

 

There are better more secure and more user friendly alternatives like maxathon which is based off of microsofts IE engine so most sites that work with IE will work with Maxathon but not firfox (microsoft.com) Then there is Netscape which has also become free and it has the ability to switch between the firefox and internet explorer engines thus working with sites that are coded for firfox and those that are coded for ie.

 

Then there is opera which is on its own engine but based of of ie but is much more secure and much more user friendly, especially since it became free.

Hmm... I think I'll just pick this section apart by commenting on the alternative browsers you've mentioned. =^^=

 

Maxthon - uses the Trident layout engine which IE uses, but is also capable of using the Gecko engine (Firefox) through a third-party program. It's better than IE, but since it uses the Trident layout engine, it is subject to the advantages and disadvantages of that engine.

 

Netscape 8 - in one word: bloated. 'Nuff said.

 

Opera - the best alternative browser next to Firefox. However, I disagree with your statement that's it is based on IE. The whole point of Opera was to be a radical departure from IE, not be based off of it. Oh, and another thing â it's not that user friendly. =^^=

 

basically you guys shouldnt bash microsoft just because they worry about security more then customizability unlike firefox which focuses on customizability more then stability or security...

Actually, we bash Microsoft because they're more concerned about the money and the bottom line than about the users who'll be using their products. =^^=

This has to be a big joke. The power behind the extensions is that they are opensource. Firefox is opensource. Microsoft is... Well you get the idea, so my point is, instead of having it as "add-ons", why don't they just include it in the installer and have the user the option of not installing it? Duh.

How big u want the installer to be? It's already bloated. I think MS should start hiring people to write IE add-ons, and until it puts it out for free, no one will use it.