[Publib] Firefox web browser

[Beth Heins]

Hi David - I'm a major Firefox buff but often wondered how the public would react to the slightly different interface. I talked to a librarian who said her library had only Firefox on their internet access machines, but they just labeled the desktop icon "Internet" and people seemed to have no difficulty finding and using the browser. (I even encountered one internet cafe that had Firefox launch from the IE desktop icon. I doubt Bill Gates would approve!)

But back to Firefox in libraries (of which I wholeheartedly approve) - my librarian friend did pose an interesting question - since Firefox is so customizable, it is tempting to put on some really useful extensions. Is there some point at which the extensions would skew the user's experience with and interaction with the information they're accessing? For example if I were to use the Customize Google extension, and include the feature that posts links to other search engines, is that intruding in their experience, or enhancing it? What about if I turn off ads using Adblock Plus and Filterset G? And on the other hand, I'd be tempted to install tons of handy extensions like Forecastfox and Copy Plain Text, but then how would I inform the users of their exsistence? 

Beth Heins

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2006 15:50:48 -0500
From: "David Smolen" <dsmolen at londonderrynh.org>
Subject: [Publib] Firefox web browser 
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID:
    <19B04A9C88AD844BBFE8011C7566827D721F2D at EXCHANGE.townhall.local>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"

I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences using the
Firefox web browser. Is anyone using it as the principle browser for
their patrons to access the Internet? If yes, have your patrons
expressed any opinions about it? Do they prefer it to MS Internet
Explorer? 

Thanks, 

David Smolen
Reference Librarian 
Londonderry Public Library 
Londonderry, NH 03053