The Librarian In Black has included a useful link to an article exploring the role of web browsers in libraries. Seeing as the internet has become such an integral part of the modern library, the way web browsers allow us to gather information online will be crucial stuff to know when providing the public with advice.How to Turn a Browser into a Reader and a Librarian gives an in depth look at the development of browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. It has helped me to understand some of the major differences between them, not only how they were developed but more importantly how they function in a practical sense.
One interesting aspect of Firefox that makes it so user friendly, is that it is what they call "open source" software. That is anyone can contribute to its development. This has the huge advantage in that the people who are out there using this software (if they have the coding skills) can simply create new add ons for Firefox to suit their needs. Making software available as open source widens the knowledge base considerably and embraces the user much more than a typical commercial release, mainly focussing on profits.
Some promising postings Skye. I look forward to seeing some more as you work through the activity
ReplyDeleteYou would have been all clued up about the 'Browser Wars' discussed in the Week 6 lecture. I like all the vibrant images you've managed to embed into your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe points about open source technology good ones. The advantage that firefox appears to have over a browser such as internet explorer is that it allows people to contribute to the site (as long as they have the necessary skills as you mentioned) and contribute to making it better for users. I mean after all, ideally, the point is to increase the amount of people that use this site, so it can only be a good thing if the same sort of people are able to regularly contribute to making it run better, and who better to make the browser more user friendly than the users?
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