Does Using FireFox Make You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

I run a number of website tools that provide the type of information that allows me to make available a better experience for readers of this Blog, than I might otherwise be able to provide.

One of these tools makes available information on which web browser readers of this Blog use while visiting. It’s of no strategic value really; but it does provide some interesting statistics nonetheless. I’ve noticed over the course of the last year, or so, that by far the most popular browser used by readers of this Blog is, wait for it, and yes it’s FireFox.

Take a look at the chart below and you’ll notice that in one two hour period, this week, the browser wars went like this:

(Click pic for larger)

So, 47% of visitors to this Blog use FireFox/Mozilla in one flavor or another. You might think that these are isolated or non representative numbers. In fact, these numbers with reasonable small changes up, or down, characterize the daily Browser activity on this Blog.

It struck me, that given the fact that FireFox currently has approximately 21% of the Browser market, then why are approximately 47% of this Blogs readers choosing FireFox?

Is it because they’re smarter, more technically knowledgeable, more security aware, more net savvy than the average IE user, or more familiar with the services/products that the Internet has to offer?

I think all of the above are more than likely true. Well perhaps not smarter. But it would be hard to argue that they’re not more technically savvy: after all this is a tech Blog.

I’d love to know what drives users to FireFox, so if you have a personal observation, let me know. I’d be glad to hear it.

Are Firefox Users Smarter/More Savvy than IE Users? – An Unscientific Survey

I run a number of website tools that present the type of information that allows me to make available a better experience for readers of this Blog than I might otherwise be able to provide.

One of these tools makes available information on which web browser readers of this Blog use while visiting. It’s of limited value really; but it does provide some interesting statistics nonetheless. I’ve noticed over the course of the last few months that by far the most popular browser used by readers of this Blog is, wait for it, and yes it’s Firefox.

Take a look at the chart below and you’ll notice that in one eight hour period, this week, the browser wars went like this:

• Firefox 2.0.0.users: 325/500
• Internet Explorer 7 users: 76/500
• Internet Explorer 6 users: 68/500
• Unknown users: 7/500
• Opera 9.25 users: 5/500
• Firefox 1.5.0 users: 4/500
• Opera 9.20 users: 4/500
• Firefox 3.0b2 users: 3/500
• Internet Explorer 3.03 users: 2/500
• Mozilla 5 users: 2/500
• Firefox 2.0 users: 2/500
• Firefox 1.5 users: 1/500
• Opera 9.10 users: 1/500
• Safari 1.2 users: 1/500

So, 67.4% of visitors to this Blog use Firefox/Mozilla in one flavor or another. You might think that these are isolated or non representative numbers. In fact, these numbers with reasonable small changes up, or down, characterize the daily Browser activity on this Blog.

It struck me, that given the fact that Firefox currently has approximately 17% of the Browser market, then why are approximately 67% of this Blogs readers choosing Firefox?

Is it because they’re  smarter, more technically knowledgeable, more security aware, more net savvy then you average IE user, or more familiar with the services/products that the Internet has to offer?

I think all of the above are more than likely true. Well perhaps not smarter. But it would be hard to argue that they’re not more technically savvy: after all this is a tech Blog and this is what they’re reading.

I’m not happy with unanswered questions, so if someone has a more reasonable explanation please let me know. I’d be glad to hear it.

Get FrostWire Free – P2P File Sharing – No Content Filtering!

FrostWire (newest version: 4.13.5) is free, open source P2P software, for the Gnutella and BitTorrent protocols. To insure broad appeal, FrostWire is a multi platform program running on Windows Vista, XP, 2000, NT, Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Linux, and some flavors of Unix.

This application has been developed by the open source community to avoid the threat of potential legal action faced by LimeWire, from which it has been forked, and to maintain the freedom that P2P users have come to expect (right or wrong), in the sharing of copyrighted material. Some reviewers have compared FrostWire to the old Napster, the controversial file-sharing pioneer.

The project was started in September 2005 by members of the open-source community, after LimeWire’s distributor considered placing blocking code into LimeWire, which it was developing in response to RIAA pressure. It has been reported that if this code was activated it would block users from sharing licensed files.

FrostWire includes all of the free LimeWire version’s functionality as well as a number of the features of LimeWire Pro including multi-threading downloads, and Turbo-Charged connections. An added benefit in using FrostWire; you won’t have to put up with LimeWire’s nag screen or ads.

According to CNET, FrostWire has moved up to the number 7 position with 253,102 downloads last week alone, on their “most popular downloads chart”. Based on these figures, it would be difficult to dispute the continuing popularity of file sharing applications

Fast facts:

· Open-source

· Firewall-to-firewall transfers

· Built-in community chat

· Connects to more sources

· Creative commons license support

· Broadband network connection

· Junk result filters

· Turbo-Charged download speeds

· iTunes integration

· Gnutella support

· BitTorrent support

· Proxy Support

If P2P file sharing is one of your interests, then you’ll find that this program should meet all of your needs.

Download at: Download.com