Mozilla Learns the Hard Way That Everyone Hates Constant Software Updates

The three words Firefox users have learned to dread is “rapid release schedule.” It means software updates. Constant software updates. You know, that thing that everybody hates where you download some software and reboot your computer because one program you have open has gotten version 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2 installed? Mozilla does this all the time.

Thus, shockingly, Mozilla’s share of the browser market is sinking like a rock, and nobody is updating their browser.

…a substantial proportion of Firefox users are using old versions of the browser that aren’t being given security updates, and many of which contain known security flaws. Only Firefox 10 and 12 are being updated, but 37 percent of Firefox users aren’t using those versions.

Probably not helping is the fact that Mozilla has only recently accepted that H.264, the most popular online video codec, was going to be around for a while, meaning it was fighting the entire Internet tooth and nail over a stupid philosophical argument nobody actually cared about and lost.

So, Firefox is now the browser you use to download the browser you’ll actually use. Fate is a cruel and ironic mistress.

(Image courtesy Adriano Gaspari via Flickr)