Browser Wars, part II?

Google has released the Beta version of its new web browser, calling to mind a time from years ago when Netscape battled Microsoft to see who would rule the Internet. The Browser Wars that then ensued pitted Netscape’s browser against Microsoft Internet Explorer in what promised to be a fight to the finish. It ended, as T. S. Elliot wrote, "not with a bang but a whimper."

I remember when America Online, then the giant among on-line services (and still pretty damn big) and a minor power in the Browser Wars, purchased Netscape. The whole damn company. With Netscape and AOL together, we all thought that the war was all but over and that the new powerhouse of AOL/Netscape had won. I remember telling a friend of mine, "The Browser Wars are over!"

Well, it certainly looked that way. What actually happened was something of a "negotiated settlement" between AOL and Microsoft, with AOL gaining access to MSIE in ways only Microsoft developers had been able to previously, and the fine Netscape browser being given "second string" status. (Yes, I know that I’m mixing my metaphors; I like mine shaken not stirred.)

Now we’re presented with an all new browser and, perhaps, a return to the trenches. Microsoft isn’t in as strong a position, what with the current strength of Apple, and there’s still a Netscape browser (it’s called Mozilla Firefox now; even the Netscape name was allowed to die). And along comes this new "open source" (another thorn in Microsoft’s side) browser threatening to start it all over again.

Google’s new browser is called "Chrome." Early reviews are generally positive. It’s still in beta, which means that there are still features to come and the odd problem to be overcome. Will this be the browser to topple Microsoft’s domination of the field? Hard to say; Microsoft’s new version of IE is in beta now as well, but the computer world is changing fast, what with new ways to use the web cropping up every day, and which browser will ultimately be the better platform is hard to say. I’m afraid that we’re all going to have to play a "wait and see" game for the time being.

Duck and cover.

The Blues Viking

The opinions here expressed are mine and if you don’t like them you can get your own damn blog.