Firefox doesn't need to be No 1 – and that's OK, 'cos it's falling off a cliff

Why don't you use the keyboard shortcut for reload if it is an important and often-used function for you? Even less mousing -- none!

Then, as a developer, the reload button is an annoying distance away from the navigation buttons causing instant and constant extra mousing around.

Um, "as a developer", you do know you can customise the toolbars such that the reload button can be next to the navigation buttons?

Comodo dragon. Chrome without the feed to Google.

As a developer, you could hit F5 instead of the refresh button. Saves a second or two each time and if you do it 100 times a day it adds up.

You refresh using the mouse? How long before something in chrome looks dated? And for clunky experiences I tried developing on chrome for a few days. Hated every second of it.

(Fyi being able to view what javascript addresses what elements directly is a massive boon and anything without it seems backwards now)

It's also hard to switch back and forth between the two browsers' development tool suites. It's not that one is necessarily superior -- I find Firefox a little better for HTML tinkering, Chrome a little better for Javascript debugging. But they're just different enough to feel awkward when you switch.

Re: Google isn't neglecting the web the way Microsoft did with IE

Google doesn't want market share so they can try to embrace/extend their own web standards like Microsoft. They want market share so they can collect information on every site you visit all the time, all the better to sell you out to advertisers and make them more money. Different motivations.

It is important to have an alternative that isn't selling you out to Google (or Microsoft) so Firefox needs to stick around. But Google's monopoly abuse lying about Firefox being 'insecure' versus Chrome is basically their standard business tactic these days, making it harder and harder for Firefox to compete on a level playing field.

Hopefully we'll see more monopoly investigations of Google and even bigger fines - that's the only thing that is going to get them to stop this. Fining them half a quarter's profits isn't enough.

Re: Google isn't neglecting the web the way Microsoft did with IE

I still remember the dark age of the Internet (late 1990s to early-mid 2000s) no thanks to Microsoft.

'Best viewed with Internet Explorer' banners on websites everywhere.

Websites made with Microsoft Frontpage.

Realplayer (and to a lesser extent, Windows Media Player and Apple's Quicktime) needed to be installed or you couldn't watch the videos online.

And never forget it was Microsoft which had through despicable means destroyed Netscape Navigator (later Netscape Communicator), setting up IE's monopoly during this dark and desolate time. A remnant of Netscape's code made its way to Mozilla, and eventually the browser Firefox was born.

Re: blocked?

I doubt Google would do that. The public backlash would be too big.

My guess is some spyware/adware addon to Chrome is installed and it's that which wants to stop you switching to another browser.

Re: blocked?

Nope, downloads absolutely fine in Chrome for me.

Re: blocked?

First thing to do when given a 2nd-hand machine:

format, re-partition, reinstall stock standard OS (whether that be windows, linux, MacOS, BSD, anything).

Re: blocked?

"So are Google blocking access to rival browser's installers?"

Not on my computer. It just downloaded fine.

Re: Make privacy a USP

"So do what Google won't do: make privacy a big deal."

Something on the order of 80% of Mozilla's income comes from royalties from its users using a search plugin. Until very recently those royalties came from Google. Mozilla have even less impetus to care about your privacy than Google.

Re: Chrome - No Thanks

Same here. Mainly because it is a device for Google to get data on you, your searches and pretty well everything else.

Some people don't give a toss about that. That is their right.

I do.

I don't use Google directly for web searching either. I'm keeping my distance from that AI Slurper.

If you Google for me you won't find anything. Lots of people with the same name as me but nothing on me. I fully intend to keep it that way. Google IS EVIL.

I kinda like stability so I use Firefox ESR (Extended Service Release). Currently on 52.2.1 on MacOS. does what it says on the tin for 99.9% of sites.

Re: A Night at the Opera, anyone?

Opera went downhill fast about five years ago and has never really recovered. These days, Vivaldi is the browser for the discerning power user.

Give Slimjet a try

www.slimjet.com

Chrome minus the snooping + additional privacy controls.

Re: Faster

Use Firefox Nightly, you will realize what faster means.