Not long ago the conflict between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator was covered in the newspapers, filled courtrooms, and inspired heated arguments. Now there’s a lengthy lull. Microsoft announced that Internet Explorer will not be significantly updated or changed until the next version of Windows, several years away. Other browsers – e.g., Mozilla and Opera – are either moving slowly themselves or don’t offer compelling reasons to motivate Windows users to switch from IE. Apple’s new Safari browser has a couple of modestly interesting features, but not enough to raise very many eyebrows – and of course it only runs on Macs.
Here’s an amusing overview of the browser wars from the perspective of a web developer. Each browser’s role in the ongoing drama is described – Internet Explorer as Evil Usurper, Netscape as Senile Dinosaur, Opera as Sympathetic Outsider, and the like. A good read.
