Browser Fanboyism !

[digen]

With ever growing threads related to browser wars & lame fanboy's I thought sharing this piece of info again wont be a bad idea.I had posted it in the forums earlier in one of the browser threads but I couldnt find it,anyways I hope people gain something from it.
The below is a article written by my friend Chris[bangbang023] who also happens to be a respected member at neowins.Credit solely goes to him,I'm just Spreading the message

Common sense, in the computing world, tells you to use whatever program you feel best accomplishes the goal you are trying to obtain. No one tool is perfect for everyone on any single goal, but they all manage to come together and cover a vast majority of users out there. Those who still feel jilted, usually program their own stuff, as I am still slowly doing with NexPad. It's a nice idea, but it's being trampled on by the immature, unable minds of extremist Firefox fan boys who do nothing but fly that icon in your face over and over until you feel bad for using anything else.

It's no secret that I use Firefox. I have a decently popular optimized build that I, myself, release daily. In general, I really like Firefox. It does what I need and that's all I ask. Sure, I have even recommended it to other people and have downloaded it to their machines for use in some pretty severe cases of corruption of their browser of choice. I let them know what I am using, tell them I use it and like it, and that's it. I let them make the choice because, after all, I want them to be able to accomplish the goals they want. I haven't converted many people, but my mom and dad now use the Fox and they like it. It works, simple as that.

My sisters use another browser and I don't seem to mind, even if it is slightly outdated (MSN 7). It does what they need and I respect that. However, ask yourself something: If they were to go to a "tech forum" and ask a question about their browser of choice, how likely do you think it is that someone will tell them to use Firefox? The problem is, it is WAY too likely to happen. At the site I work for, Neowin.net, it became a large enough problem that a thread had to be created, in our dedicated Web Browser Support Forum, just to warn users of the complete lack of tolerance we have for such behavior. In extreme circumstances, an account could be completely disabled for such offenses.

Some readers, right now, may not understand what the big deal is. However, imagine it in a different light. Imagine you owned a 1998 Ford and you needed to bring it to the mechanic. Upon bringing the car in to the shop, the mechanic ignores you as you speak and simply yells out, in your face, to “get a Dodge�. He may even call you a “n00b’ or, in more actual wording, an “idiot� for driving a Ford and not the Dodge. So, now, instead of walking out with a problem corrected and a, once again, peaceful experience with your Ford, you now go home, after being insulted, with the problem still in existence. The world just doesn’t work that way.

What can we do? Education is the answer. I can’t possibly sit here and expect anyone’s attitude to completely change because of my words. It is simply an improbable and silly thought. However, with that said, we need to start spreading the concept of mature product selection and respect. Firefox is a great product, without a doubt, but it doesn’t suit everyone’s needs and that’s perfectly okay. Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, K-Meleon, etc, are all perfectly fine choices for a user if they feel their browsing needs will be met. So please, fellow Firefox users and lovers, try to keep these thoughts in mind. We need to be here to show how powerful this community can be, though; we need to be gentle with that power. We all need to show respect towards the choices people make, from their hair color to their Web Browser. You may not like it, but it’s their web experience and not yours. Please remember this. Let’s prove, together, that we are all better than this.

The article is situated over here: http://www.bangbang023.com/Forums/in...?showtopic=698

I for one did not find anything regarding trolling in the forum rules.Just in case if the mods find this worthy you can make this sticky as well. :roll:

[icecoolz]

nice one Digen. altho it is common sense to a lot, I guess the passion inside some clouds the issue and leads to fanboyism. Lets see if this makes any impact and mods I think this should be a sticky for a while !

[Nemesis]

A very sensible article. Hits the nail right on the head. It's people trying to push their favorite browsers in your face that you start to hate rather than the browser itself. I myself use 5 different browsers (including IE at times!) and most of the time, which one I choose is based on my mood

I'm making this a Sticky in the hope that the next time someone wants to start a Browser comparison, they read this first

[tuxfan]

This surely looks the work of some one with lots of common sense. Surely a thought provoking writing. Taught me a thing or two about propoganding open source softwares

[theraven]

thank you for a sensible post after a long time
if this doesn't bring attention to anyone then too bad !
from now on lets try and keep browser wars to minimal to non existent .. and lets all work towards that

[NikhilVerma]

Hmmmm.....

A really nice read...

I too was a fanboy kinda guy...

Now I am not...

[ShekharPalash]

Yup... very nice article digen...

[bangbang023]

Hey guys, I just want to thank everyone for reading my brief article. Honestly, I try not to voice my opinion all that often, in the computer realm, since I tend to stray from the common belief. However, I found myself hating the browser I was, in a small way, contributing to simply because of the arrogance of a few. I hope that people continue to be more respectful, whether it be in browsers or any other part of their life. Firefox is a movement and something many are passionate about. I would hate to see it ruined by ignorance.

[digen]

Whoa thanks chris for replying here mate.Oh btw peeps http://www.bangbang023.com/Forums/in...?showtopic=776

[Nemesis]

Welcome to the forums bangbang023 a.k.a. Chris

I really liked your article and appreciate the fact at least someone was level-headed enough to write something like this.

[drgrudge]

bangbang023 in here?

It was a very good article....

[icecoolz]

If you look at the article and just think about it a lil it doesnt just apply to browsers. It applies to anything which has defenitive competition. Be is OSes to cars to softwares. The first few sentences summed it up for me. Use what gives you the best options for the situations. simple enough dont you think

[devilhead_satish]

Good one. Applies to all sorts of software and not just browsers. Should certainly reduce browser threads.

[vignesh]

Good post but the forum is getting full of browsers

[chinmay]

Nice article...

[avdhut_s]

Indyan wrote-

hmm..Since i am considered to be the biggest fanboy.
Ok,i would try to controll myself.

its already working !
hats off to u man !!!

[navjotjsingh]

A Nice Article.

[Charley]

Good one

[selva1966]

Informing latest updates for browser - any browser - should not be considred fanboyism. But making hair splitting arguments for each and every point - we have seen too may in this forum betwen firefox and opera should henceforth come down hopefully. I learnt about firefox only from this forum. Now I have lastest copy of firefox.exe in a CD which I carry and install it after informing the benefits! I thing in dial-up connections it will save a lot of time and money for many of the users. (We mostly have dial-up connections). It will be another story when IE7 is released

[rohanbee]

man what is all this about, i always use one browser i.e before and firefox now...............i hate change so i use one and stick to it if things are going good. The last thing im bothered about is a BROWSER, but it's fun seeing how ppl in some threads get really worked up about which browser they use and why??

and yes i do love FireFox and it rules (sorry u other browser ppl)

[Anu]

There is a despicable trend that is becoming more and more common wherein the browser settings of web surfers are being hijacked forcibly by malicious web sites and software which modifies your default start and search pages.

Sometimes internet shortcuts will be added to your favorites folder without asking you. The purpose of this is force you to visit a web site of the hijacker's choice so that they artificially can inflate their web site's traffic for higher advertising revenues.

In some cases, these changes are reversible simply by going into internet options and switching them back. Not always, however. Sometimes it's necessary to edit the windows registry (gasp!) to undo the changes made. Sometimes there is even a combination of registry setting and files clandestinely placed on your hard drive that redo your settings every time you reboot the computer.

No matter how often you change your settings back, they are changed again the next time you restart. There have even been cases where internet options have been removed from the tools menu by registry hacking to prevent you from controlling your own computer!

Even AOL has become a browser hijacker by placing their web site free.aol.com in Internet Explorer's trusted sites security zone, thereby bypassing the most frequently used security settings. This occurs after installing their AOL software, AOL Instant Messenger, Netscape 6.x and ICQ2001b has reportedly done this. AOL then exploits this by downloading ActiveX components to your computer without your consent. The CWS trojan also does this.

[digen]

Dude do you have any idea what the intended message was in this thread?
There is no point in posting stuff like this.

Anyways since i'm in a generous mood today & this seems to be your lucky joe day here have a plain brownie.



For the recordost Reported !

[Anu]

I just wanted to mention that this is happening even with AOL software too and if you think that there is nothing here its upto u..and anyway thanx for ur generous mood

[theraven]

behave
what does browser hijackin have to do with browser fanboyism ?

[Anu]

Thanx for your advice

[Charley]

Just happened to read this article. Very detailed one. Indeed a very good one. Tks, keep more of this coming in.

What a articles?...
I am your fan now...
Hee!! Hee!! Hee!!

[siriusb]

I LOVE OPERA!

Wait. We are against this right?

Sorry, couldn't resist that. But can someone clarify my doubt? Don't shout at me if I missed a point. But don't such discussions help people find their, u know...real love? or the perfect browser for them? I just thought ppl may look at the arguments and find out things about the other side that they could do with.
But ofcourse, unfortunately, all of the discussions end up like "my toy is bigger than ur toy" and end up comparing apple features of one browser to the orange of the other. Maybe that's why u consider them unhealthy arguments?

[digen]

/goes & puts his anti-fanboysim cap

Real love?
Whats the point? You use the software so you should try it & keep it if you like or it satisfies your requirements.But that rarely happens in these kinda discussions."I love XXX" or "I love YYY"
bah get a life !
I agree though that it isnt possible to try every software which gets released but for that you have web sites doing reviews & comparisons of latest released software which give you a fair idea.

Actually the above which I've written wasnt needed had you read the first post on this thread again & again & again......till you get the message !

/removes the cap & heads to the next thread.

[Strider]

A very good article indeed .
Something i could relate to since i had began to question my choice of opera and couldn,t quite understand what the firefox fuzz was all about.