The Open source trait and the Firefox extension feature form an excellent partnership
The fact that the Firefox web browsing software application is an open source web browser enables the end users to make use of the Firefox extension feature. The developers would not have been successful in popularizing the Firefox extension feature to the extent that they have succeeded today had the Firefox web browsing software application not being an open source web browser.
You may be surprised to know that the Firefox web browsing software application is not the only web browser that offers the facility of enhancing the functionality of the web browsing software application. The Internet Explorer web browsing software application also offers the facility.
However, the Internet Explorer web browsing software application can be improved upon only by installation of separate software applications made by third party developers. More often than not, the software applications are paid for software applications and cannot be made use of for free.
Further, the credibility of the third party developers is always suspect and they cannot be relied upon to the extent the end users of the Firefox web browsing software application rely upon the credibility of the makers of Firefox extensions. Further, since the Internet Explorer web browsing software application is not an open source web browser, the extent to which the functionality of the web browsing software application can be improved is very limited.
The end users of the Internet Explorer web browsing software application never bother to make use of the add-in feature because the whole add in is so difficult to use and the whole process is so complicated that the end user is better off not making use of the feature at all.
However, the same is not the case with the Firefox extension feature. Rather, the Firefox extension feature is very easy to use and is very easy to take advantage of. The Firefox extension feature combined with the fact that the web browsing software application is an open source web browser enhances the ability of the end user to improve upon the functionality of the web browser.
Today, there is absolutely no restriction on the extent to which the Firefox web browsing software application can be improved upon. Each and every component of the web browsing software application and each and every line of the source code underlying the component is public property.
The end users can always modify the same without fear of any legal consequences whatsoever. Of course, the individual who modifies the Firefox web browsing software application cannot sell the web browser as his or her own product later.
Since the individual has used the code for free, he or she shall have to offer the code for free. Subject to this minor restriction, there is absolutely no restriction imposed upon the end users of the Firefox web browsing software application. It is pertinent to note that the developers of the Internet Explorer web browsing software application have done nothing to popularize the Internet Explorer add-in feature.
They do not do so because they themselves are aware of the fact that the Internet Explorer add-in feature will be no match to the Firefox extension feature. This is the reason why there are very few add-ons available for the end users of the web browsing software application.
On the other hand, the end users of the Firefox web browsing software application have access to a large number of Firefox extensions on the official website of the Firefox web browser as well as on other sites related to the Firefox web browsing software application. This comparison is sufficient to establish which web browser is more popular.
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Tags: Extensions & Plugins
