Firefox versus Internet Explorer in a Corporate Network

Two years ago I blogged about a similar subject. I discussed the advantages of Internet Explorer (IE) over Mozilla and other web browsers in a corporate environment. I concluded that IE is by far the better choice. Recently we deployed about 250 new computers and so I considered this question again. Now, Firefox is the main rival of IE. The decision was not so easy this time, but IE won again in the end. I am using Firefox myself for a quite while and I really like this web browser. However, when it comes to the question of switching to a new web browser in a corporate network, other arguments have to be considered.

Conclusion:
The advantages of the IE are mainly founded in its tight integration with Windows. Firefox has to run on other operating systems, too. Hence, all features should work on all systems not only on Windows boxes. That's why I'm not expecting too many improvements in this field in the near future. Although projects like Firefox ADM show that better integration is doable and that some Open Source programmers recognized this problem. All in all, I'm still a Firefox fan, but wouldn't recommend it for corporate use in larger networks. There are exceptions of course: If all your desktops use Linux or Mac OS. But if you have Windows desktops, the only reason I could think of, is that you really need a certain feature of Firefox which you is not available in IE.

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March 28, 2006 07:52 PM | Posted in Mozilla

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10 Comments

The topic of centralized browser management comes up in every discussion of using Firefox in a corporate environment. Coming up with a solution to this problem would remove a huge barrier to corporate adoption of Firefox. Why has Mozilla Corp. not addressed this issue? They should have someone working on this full time.

This is a no-brainer. The potential for increased Firefox usage is enormous. It is silly to talk about giving away grants to volunteer contributors when important issues like this are getting no attention.

Comment by wg at March 28, 2006 08:42 PM | Permalink

It's an incorrect assumption that users with nonadministrative accounts cannot install and run (and therefore update) Firefox. There goes your main reason. As for desktop applications that only run on IE, that's going to be a tough one to maintain as IE is increasingly forced to adhere to computing standards.

Comment by AnotherGuest. at March 28, 2006 08:48 PM | Permalink

"It's an incorrect assumption that users with nonadministrative accounts cannot install and run (and therefore update) Firefox."

I thought in order to install and update Firefox the user needs "Local Admin" rights. Most coporations in the non-IT world (mine included) don't give its users local admin rights.

Also, if Firefox was initially installed by an admin, does auto-update still work for non-(local)admin users?

If these are true, then it is indeed a sorely missing (and neglected) issue by mozilla.com/.org

Comment by Peter Lairo at March 29, 2006 11:33 AM | Permalink

On the other hand, if your employees visit a web site with the IE new exploit on it, hackers can gain full access to the machine.

Perhaps at least a teensy bit important?

Comment by Ian at March 29, 2006 01:32 PM | Permalink

Until Firefox supports full MSI functionality, there will be almost no serious corporate adoption. Not just the setup EXE repackaged as an MSI, but a proper install package that can be rolled out as part of a group policy.

Site icon Comment by Michael Newton at April 2, 2006 07:55 AM | Permalink

Totally off-topic, but wondering if you intend to update your MT acronym plugin at some stage. With MT3.2 it still works using just the acronym.db and .pl in the plugins folder, but the template and cgi file don't seem to achieve anything, whether they are there or not. Clicking on the 'settings' link under Acronym from the MT System Overview / Plugins page just errors out. I kinda thought the intention would be to view and edit the acronym database from there, rather than having to manually download it, update it, then upload it to the server again as we do at present. Handy plugin regardless, so thanks :)

Site icon Comment by demonsurfer [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 2, 2006 10:26 PM | Permalink

MSI and group policy like these?
http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox and
http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox/fmfirefox.htm

Comment by Eric at May 5, 2006 11:12 AM | Permalink

Just a visualization of the current trend - http://www.milliondollarhosting.net/upload/30735_footer.jpg

Comment by Michael Hosting at July 9, 2006 10:58 PM | Permalink

There is a collection of Firefox vs. IE images here - http://medvegonok.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html

Site icon Comment by Michael at February 9, 2007 05:24 AM | Permalink

I always use Mozzilla Firefox. Unlike IE, I find it userfriendly and it also allows to use some fabulous addons. Google Chorme is my second best browser. I would rate mozzilla firefox 10/10. IE 7/10 and Google Chrome 9/10.

Comment by Corporate Gifts at March 18, 2011 02:11 PM | Permalink

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