Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-17 at 00:26:34
I decided to check out http://www.spreadfirefox.com/ recently and noticed that someone got their entire school to widely install Firefox and/or Camino to their computers. So what did I do? I decided to email the directors at my college!
I removed mine, and the addressed names. You don't need to know them. And the response I got? Within a few hours I received this:
I was shocked at both how fast they replied and that they actually listened to what I had to say. And on top of that, they are installing Firefox to literally hundreds of computers. I'm not sure of the exactly number but I'm estimating about 1200 computers (I could tell you the exact number if I was at a campus right now). And when they install software, they do it to all computers.
QUOTE
Dear [Recipient],
My name is [Chu] and I've been going to Metro for over two
years now and something I've consistently noticed is the computer
technology section of Metro trying to keep things safer for everyone
by requesting we scan discs before using them, requiring we log onto
computers, and sign in when we enter the computer labs. Today I just
want to make another suggestion that might help keep the computers
safe.
As you might know, Internet Explorer has had many problems in the past
and continues to have those same problems today. Security problems,
lack of features which help make browsing faster and easier, and it
doesn't support or cannot display properly many features that web
developers hold sacred (CSS2, PNG, etc). I just want to suggest that
you widely install Mozilla Firefox as an alternative to Internet
Explorer. It's an open source and continually updated web browser
which has all the capabilities Internet Explorer does and lots more.
Included is the fact you can install extensions which allow it to
become much more than it already is.
More and more people use it mindlessly associating the Internet with
the blue E. And for years I have quietly brought an already installed
version of Firefox on a flash disc or burned CD so that I could use it
without having to install/uninstall it on the computers at Metro. I
have taken a look around and noticed there is actually something
called the "5 Minute Challenge". It's a page that describes some of
the features Firefox has over Internet Explorer.
http://lachy.id.au/dev/mozilla/firefox/cam...inute/challenge
Here is a list of reasons why Firefox is also more secure than
Internet Explorer. Provided by Firefox on their FAQ page.
http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/faq#mozvsie
I think that telling people they have choices when it comes to
programs is essential, especially today. If more and more people
start using alternative programs then companies like Microsoft may
start seriously competing with them and improving their products more
actively. Not only that, it's also good to let people know they are
not limited to one specific program for all their needs.
I hope you take my suggestion into consideration, and I thank you for
taking the time to read this email.
Sincerely,
[Chu]
My name is [Chu] and I've been going to Metro for over two
years now and something I've consistently noticed is the computer
technology section of Metro trying to keep things safer for everyone
by requesting we scan discs before using them, requiring we log onto
computers, and sign in when we enter the computer labs. Today I just
want to make another suggestion that might help keep the computers
safe.
As you might know, Internet Explorer has had many problems in the past
and continues to have those same problems today. Security problems,
lack of features which help make browsing faster and easier, and it
doesn't support or cannot display properly many features that web
developers hold sacred (CSS2, PNG, etc). I just want to suggest that
you widely install Mozilla Firefox as an alternative to Internet
Explorer. It's an open source and continually updated web browser
which has all the capabilities Internet Explorer does and lots more.
Included is the fact you can install extensions which allow it to
become much more than it already is.
More and more people use it mindlessly associating the Internet with
the blue E. And for years I have quietly brought an already installed
version of Firefox on a flash disc or burned CD so that I could use it
without having to install/uninstall it on the computers at Metro. I
have taken a look around and noticed there is actually something
called the "5 Minute Challenge". It's a page that describes some of
the features Firefox has over Internet Explorer.
http://lachy.id.au/dev/mozilla/firefox/cam...inute/challenge
Here is a list of reasons why Firefox is also more secure than
Internet Explorer. Provided by Firefox on their FAQ page.
http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/faq#mozvsie
I think that telling people they have choices when it comes to
programs is essential, especially today. If more and more people
start using alternative programs then companies like Microsoft may
start seriously competing with them and improving their products more
actively. Not only that, it's also good to let people know they are
not limited to one specific program for all their needs.
I hope you take my suggestion into consideration, and I thank you for
taking the time to read this email.
Sincerely,
[Chu]
I removed mine, and the addressed names. You don't need to know them. And the response I got? Within a few hours I received this:
QUOTE
I would like to thank you for the suggestion and support, and let you
know that it is our hope to have Foxfire installed for the fall
curriculum. Our web faculty feel that this application will be a good
addition for testing and to show others the available "alternatives".
I'm sure our Director of IT and Lab Coordinator will also take a good
look at this solution.
Thank you for your time
know that it is our hope to have Foxfire installed for the fall
curriculum. Our web faculty feel that this application will be a good
addition for testing and to show others the available "alternatives".
I'm sure our Director of IT and Lab Coordinator will also take a good
look at this solution.
Thank you for your time
I was shocked at both how fast they replied and that they actually listened to what I had to say. And on top of that, they are installing Firefox to literally hundreds of computers. I'm not sure of the exactly number but I'm estimating about 1200 computers (I could tell you the exact number if I was at a campus right now). And when they install software, they do it to all computers.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lisk on 2005-06-17 at 05:01:52
I installed Opera at my school and got my classmates on it ^_^! beweheheehhe
gj anyway. better than IE
gj anyway. better than IE
Report, edit, etc...Posted by .Coko[CK] on 2005-06-17 at 07:28:23
I found Opera easier to use than Firefox, and you don't lose anything by not paying for it, before someone goes down that line. I don't even notice the ad is there.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by SpaceBoy2000 on 2005-06-17 at 09:05:58
We have Firefox, Opera, and K-Meleon at our school. Nobody really uses them though, mainly because we don't really care what gets onto the school computer. Seriously, there's like a shitload of spyware on every other computer I use...
And apparently, Firefox only works for staff, because for stdents to use it, they'd have to do something to the network that would make it unsecure...or so they tell us anyways. But since we're switching to a different server (Linux based), we get to have all the browsers we want next year.
I think i'll stick to K-Meleon though - faster than Firefox. I don't need the features of Firefox at school anyways...
And apparently, Firefox only works for staff, because for stdents to use it, they'd have to do something to the network that would make it unsecure...or so they tell us anyways. But since we're switching to a different server (Linux based), we get to have all the browsers we want next year.
I think i'll stick to K-Meleon though - faster than Firefox. I don't need the features of Firefox at school anyways...
Report, edit, etc...Posted by wesmic da pimp on 2005-06-17 at 11:01:13
Notice how on his reply back to Chu he calls the program "Foxfire"
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Snipe)r( on 2005-06-17 at 11:27:18
lol ya i noticed that...
Report, edit, etc...Posted by BeeR_KeG on 2005-06-17 at 12:32:28
IE keeps getting owned by the thousands.
GJ Chu.
GJ Chu.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-17 at 12:46:34
Haha, Foxfire. I noticed something wrong with the name when I was reading it but I thought it was just due to the fact it wasn't "Mozilla Firefox" but instead "Firefox" I guess I know what it was now.
Whats funny is that if you search for Foxfire, Firefox links show up.
Whats funny is that if you search for Foxfire, Firefox links show up.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by RexyRex on 2005-06-17 at 12:57:48
Anyone seen a Microsoft site showing how much better IE is than Firefox? It'd make me laugh. 
Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-17 at 13:07:10
Shit, I just did like 10 searches. I can't find a single website like that.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by wesmic da pimp on 2005-06-17 at 13:09:44
yea... because Firefox is trying to steal IE users. IE knows they're good, they know they have more users than Firefox, so they ain't trippin'.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Dr.Shotgun on 2005-06-17 at 22:28:22
Some guy's funny IE-basedspoof on getfirefox.com.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-18 at 03:18:10
Look at the latest security problem with IE:
Control my computer? Screw uploading viruses or instally adware. This goes beyond just being a security flaw. This potentially gives people access to private information like credit card numbers (from online transactions), passwords to services or sites, etc. Besides all this information they can get, they'll probably just wipe the HD clean once they have it.
QUOTE
April 2005, Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (890923)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer and gain control over it.
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer and gain control over it.
Control my computer? Screw uploading viruses or instally adware. This goes beyond just being a security flaw. This potentially gives people access to private information like credit card numbers (from online transactions), passwords to services or sites, etc. Besides all this information they can get, they'll probably just wipe the HD clean once they have it.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by .Coko[CK] on 2005-06-18 at 06:05:33
Likely a similar issue could be found with the other browsers if the work force to exploit it was there.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Snipe on 2005-06-18 at 09:00:57
Why does everyone hate Ie so much. What did it do to you 
. I have been using it sense i started internet lol. 
. I have been using it sense i started internet lol. Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-18 at 09:40:55
What did it do to me? I got tons of spyware on my computer. It allowed the only virus ever to be on any of my computers to get on mine. It has been a continual annoyance with adware/spyware. It doesn't display pages properly, especially not PNG's. It lacks many of the features that make browsing way faster and easier.
Uhhhh.... sure, you can go on thinking that if you want. But just remember this, if there is ever a security flaw found in Firefox, you'll have literally hundreds of people who know how to fix it telling the development team, and you will have a patch the next day or two after it's found. With internet explorer, you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... most of the flaws aren't fixed until major patches. Then once you get that patch you are greatly at ease, knowing only 80% of the security flaws in IE have been taken care of.
And thats despite the fact that Firefox is already proven to be way more secure than IE. It's the way it was made and the fact it's open source that makes it a superior program. So naturally, it's going to have a lot less potential problems that IE has. Just face up to it, Microsoft doesn't know what it's doing with IE.
QUOTE(.Coko[CK] @ Jun 18 2005, 05:05 AM)
Likely a similar issue could be found with the other browsers if the work force to exploit it was there.
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[right][snapback]237779[/snapback][/right]
Uhhhh.... sure, you can go on thinking that if you want. But just remember this, if there is ever a security flaw found in Firefox, you'll have literally hundreds of people who know how to fix it telling the development team, and you will have a patch the next day or two after it's found. With internet explorer, you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... you have to wait for Microsoft to ... hold on ... most of the flaws aren't fixed until major patches. Then once you get that patch you are greatly at ease, knowing only 80% of the security flaws in IE have been taken care of.
And thats despite the fact that Firefox is already proven to be way more secure than IE. It's the way it was made and the fact it's open source that makes it a superior program. So naturally, it's going to have a lot less potential problems that IE has. Just face up to it, Microsoft doesn't know what it's doing with IE.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by n2o-SiMpSoNs on 2005-06-18 at 09:42:34
rofl i should copy and paste this besides the names and send it to someone at my high skool
Report, edit, etc...Posted by SpaceBoy2000 on 2005-06-18 at 10:36:02
If you guys REALLY want a secure web browser, I know just the one. It's called Links! No one can hack that web browser! Links all the way!
http://links.sourceforge.net/
http://links.sourceforge.net/
Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-18 at 10:55:51
I've used links before in a very basic version of Litestep. It displays sen so horribly. I guess thats what you get from a text based browser.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lisk on 2005-06-18 at 11:06:07
Firefox has 4 unpatched security holes -_-
Report, edit, etc...Posted by chuiu on 2005-06-18 at 11:28:32
List them.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lisk on 2005-06-18 at 14:34:23
http://secunia.com/product/4227/#advisories
4 known unpatched
1 almost patched
Opera: http://secunia.com/product/4932/#advisories
all patched (4)
4 known unpatched
1 almost patched
Opera: http://secunia.com/product/4932/#advisories
all patched (4)
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Oo.ZeALoT.oO on 2005-06-18 at 14:45:33
Im using firefox now, But its kinda annoying kuz it keeps telling me to dl plugins cuz it can't display a page correctly. I find its a bit faster though 
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lisk on 2005-06-18 at 14:46:04
liar
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Dr.Shotgun on 2005-06-18 at 14:52:20
Opera's cool too. I just like FF better.