Contrary to all theories that claim that one should spend less time tied to a computer and more time living the life, the new version of internet browser Firefox shows that the internet is very powerful thing for connecting people.
Article continues below
The competitor of Microsoft's Internet Explorer already has many loyal users, Download Day showed that there are more of then than we thought. Mozilla announced the attempt of setting the world record and invited users from all over the world to download the newest version of Firefox. Being a user of Thunderbird and Firefox since earliest days it is understandable that I used beta versions of FF 3. It was also obvious that I'll try to download the full version and I hope that I'll be a part of the new world record.
But what amazes me is that Download Day start as an invitation and very fast became a movement, something more like the War For the Good Thing, that simplest downloading of the new software. While some may argue that users hate Microsoft's IE and other that Firefox is the best internet browser in the universe and around it, I think that things are more simpler here. Simply put, it was fantastic to be a part of world community and share the same simple vision with people from USA, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, Germany, Myanmar, Congo, Bolivia...
Download Day became The Download Day and I can't recall any download that sparks such interest as FF version 3. During the first 24 hours there were more than eight million downloads (8 289 535, to be precise), which means that every minute 5700 people downloaded FF 3, and there were more then 10,000 download a minute in the last 30 minutes of Download Day.
The total market share for Firefox for May, all versions included, is 18,41 percent according to Net Applications, so it's obvious that there was a potential for setting a new record. Firefox 3 brings very good improvements in speed and usability, and it is light years away from version 2. It is free software with a goal to bring web applications to users in an easy way. More and more applications live on the web and there is a need for a platform that will make them easy to use; Firefox wants just that.
The new browser has many new features that are good-looking and very useful. From Smart Location Bar to fast graphic engine to elaborated user interface design (did you notice that Back button is larger that Forward? That's because Back is used much more than Forward), there are many things that make you wish to download Firefox 3.
But simple look at the map on the Download Day website reveals what's behind the scene. The US leads in number of downloads, which is understandable, but take a look at other countries. There are no borders, political disagreement or religious disputes. People from Iran, Afghanistan, United Kingdom, Croatia, Iceland, Ecuador, Colombia, Madagascar...
They all downloaded FF 3, and they all are the part of the same world that regards good products and forget the differences between us. Look at the map and look how all those people were united around such a simple goal. That reminds us that the vast majority of Homo sapiens treats others as friends and wants to live together in peace and cooperation. We were one among those millions and we are proud of it. ■
Download Day became The Download Day and I can't recall any download that sparks such interest as FF version 3. During the first 24 hours there were more than eight million downloads (8 289 535, to be precise), which means that every minute 5700 people downloaded FF 3, and there were more then 10,000 download a minute in the last 30 minutes of Download Day. 
The new browser has many new features that are good-looking and very useful. From Smart Location Bar to fast graphic engine to elaborated user interface design (did you notice that Back button is larger that Forward? That's because Back is used much more than Forward), there are many things that make you wish to download Firefox 3.