© 2011 Hospitality Upgrade Systems By Geoff Griswold No reproduction or distribution without permission. [Notes From an IT Service Shop] Every Hotel Computer Should Have at Least 2 INTERNET BROWSERS

It is estimated that more than half of all systems by adding new features. This lead Firefox browser in 2004. Netscape was sold Web browsing is done using Internet Explorer to Microsoft contending that Internet Ex- to AOL and development of its browser was (IE), which comes with all new systems. IE is plorer was not a product in itself, but an discontinued in 2008. Firefox now has a sig- the industry standard, commanding the largest enhancement to Windows. nificant share of the browser market. market share since it is bundled with Win- This position on Internet Explorer Apple released its own browser, Safari, dows. Some hospitality applications, such as was unacceptable to the Department of in 2003. While dominant in the Apple-based the widely used MICROS OPERA PMS, will only Justice and a trial began in May of 1998. market, its overall market share is relatively work with Internet Explorer. After almost two years, a federal judge small. However, there are alternatives to IE that ruled that Microsoft had to be divided into The newest browser on the market, may work better with certain applications or two units: one that produced operating Chrome was introduced by Internet giant may be faster and more user friendly when systems and one that made other software Google in 2008. Its market share has in- surfing the Web. programs. This decision was overturned creased significantly in less than three years. While IE commands the largest market on appeal and a settlement proposal was All of these browsers can be down- share now, it was not always that way. The drafted between Microsoft and the Depart- loaded, free of charge from the Web. first Web browser was called WorldWideWeb, ment of Justice. It is recommended that users have at which was introduced in 1992. This browser least one additional browser loaded on their The approximate market share of was later to be known as Nexus to avoid con- computers for the following reasons. It is each of the major Web browsers: fusion with the Web itself. fairly common for some applications to work In 1993, the Mosaic Web browser was Internet Explorer 50% in one browser but not in another. This is introduced. This browser offered a graphical Firefox 25% not always the fault of the browser itself but user interface, and was partly responsible for can be an add-on to the browser. Adobe, for Chrome 17% an explosion of Web use. example, has two of the most common add- In 1994, Marc Andreessen, the leader Safari 6% ons with their PDF reader and Flash video of the Mosaic team, left and started Netscape. Opera 2% software. Netscape Navigator, which had many of Mosa- A second reason for a backup browser ic’s features, was released and soon became As an interesting result of the is because system files can become corrupt the most popular browser, at one time com- browser wars developers tended to focus for one browser, but another one will still manding over 90 percent of the market. on new features for users at the expense of work fine. Also, there are some websites that Not to be outdone by smaller rivals, other important areas, including security. will only work with certain browsers. Some Microsoft introduced Internet Explorer in Security issues still exist in today’s versions browser-based applications only work with 1995. IE also had many Mosaic features and, of Web browsers. Other results of the wars one browser, usually Internet Explorer. because it was bundled with Windows, it were programming bugs going unfixed Lastly, security can also be an issue. A achieved a significant market share quickly. because emphasis was now placed on new virus can infect Internet Explorer without This touched off the browser wars, which features, and a lack of adherence to estab- affecting another browser, so the uninfected included antitrust litigation by the federal gov- lished standards, thus creating interaction backup browser can be used until the virus ernment against Microsoft. difficulties with the Web. is removed. Originally, in 1991, the Federal Trade The Web browser market did not In a pinch, the email program Micro- Commission opened an inquiry to determine if stand still during all the years of litigation soft Outlook can be used as a browser by Microsoft was abusing its power as a monopo- with Microsoft. Opera (not related to the entering the website in the address bar. ly in the PC operating systems market. Nothing Micros PMS), primarily a Web browser came of this investigation, but in August of and email client was introduced in 1996. Geoff Griswoldis a field engineer 1993 the Justice Department opened its own Although it was never widely used in the and general manager of the Omni investigation. This was settled by Microsoft United States, it has gained acceptance in Group, an IT services company agreeing not to tie other products to the sale other countries as somewhat of a standard. specializing in the hospitality industry. of Windows, such as Microsoft Office. Micro- Netscape started the Mozilla Founda- He can be reached at (678) 464-2427 soft could continue to enhance their operating tion in 1998 that eventually produced the or [email protected].

148 Hospitality Upgrade | Fall 2011 www.hospitalityupgrade.com