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Since the beginning of the Information Age in 1995, the best browser of the time has always given its users a distinct advantage.

Early on, this browser was Netscape Navigator, but Navigator, struggling with compatibility, gradually gave way to Microsoft's Internet Explorer as time wore on. Even so, Navigator's source code was recompiled into a new browser, Firefox, which, after a rocky start, has made a name for itself in the software arena. So much so, in fact, that it serves as a major challenge to Internet Explorer's absolute supremacy.

DMACC has been using IE 7 for quite some time, and for good reason. The mainstay of the browser market, Internet Explorer is the browser to beat. Its best features are quick startup time, good compatibility, and regular updates. Each one of these allows Internet Explorer to view most websites with ease and grace. A shallow learning curve ensures that anyone can learn to use it very quickly, and a minimum of new features added from version to version makes it easy to transition as the browser ages.

While Internet Explorer might not be the flashiest browser or the quickest, it can serve adequately for most users. In fact, many computer users are unaware that anything else exists. Except for the venerable Netscape Navigator, there have been few challengers to Microsoft's Internet Explorer for some time, and web designers have gotten used to composing HTML by IE's standards.

There are other browsers, however. On any of the three main branches of operating systems, there are a handful of browsers, each with their own special advantages and disadvantages. The most commonly used Windows browser is IE, while Apple Macs use Apple's Safari 4. Linux distributions have a plethora of different browsers, including the freeware KDE Konqueror, which is similar in design to IE. One of a few browsers that is truly cross-platform, Mozilla's Firefox 3.5 can run on Windows XP, Vista, and 7, as well as Mac OS 10.4 Tiger through 10.6 Snow Leopard, and many Linux distributions, including the latest version of Ubuntu, 9.10 Karmic Koala.

Some users are content to use whatever browser is on their system, and can transition from browser to browser with ease. This has been demonstrated by DMACC's Banner newspaper staff, who use IE 7 on Windows computers as well as Safari on Macs. With most browsers sharing usability characteristics, isn't the default enough? In a word, no. Here's why.

The DMACC Boone Campus employs Sophos Antivirus, which, while an excellent piece of software, is only about 60% effective at stopping viruses. Internet Explorer cannot assist Sophos in any way, since Microsoft cannot issue updates fast enough to solve IE's security compromises. This is where Firefox shines. With small, constant updates, as well as large version updates, Firefox was only vulnerable for a total of 9 non-consecutive days in 2006, compared to 264 for IE. For 264 days, malware and hackers could have struck at DMACC's computers, gaining access to sensitive information and jeopardizing the network.

With Firefox, the same threats wouldn't have had time to respond before a fix was made available by the global community of Mozilla programmers. Combined with Apple Macintosh computers, Firefox is virtually impenetrable, rendering all information safe and secure from prying eyes.

Best of all, Firefox is free of charge, and can be tailored to fit the needs of any classroom or instructor. With Web of Trust and PublicFox, two free Firefox addons, Firefox can block dangerous websites and popups, and can be locked down to prevent changes except by campus networking personnel.

Additionally, students are able to install Firefox themselves-just go to www.mozilla.com and click "Download Firefox." Run the installer, which couldn't be simpler to use, and you'll be able to surf the web with the best security and fun-check out Firefox's add-ons at addons.mozilla.com.

In short, the DMACC Boone Campus can't afford to waste any time bringing its campus computers up to date with Mozilla Firefox. Unlike with other software, a mass deployment of Firefox could be quickly and easily achieved and would not detract anyone's ability to use the Internet. It would continue to be compatible with DMACC's WebCT, Web Info System, and DMACC Library's online databases, and would allow network administrators to control the flow of information on and off of DMACC's computers. DMACC needs Firefox-now!

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