I've hired you to help me start a war. That's a prestigious line of work with a long and glorious tradition.” – Fezzini, in The Princess Bride

Did you know that there was once a war between internet browser manufacturers? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. The majority of Internet users fit a common profile: They have a Windows operating system installed on their computer, and Internet Explorer (IE) installed as their browser. The two come as a package deal, they work well, and that’s the end of the discussion. We use our browsers like we use our coffee pots: We switch them on, and don’t give them another thought until they break.

So, what about this war?

As Internet use exploded a decade ago, a handful of companies found themselves fighting with Microsoft to gain a share of the internet browser market. Internet Explorer has consistently been the browser of choice for some 90% of the world’s web surfers. Along the way, several other manufacturers of web browsers have tried – often unsuccessfully – to grab a slice of that pie.

The battle started with the launch of Netscape Navigator and first version of Internet Explorer. IE had the upper hand from the get-go, as Microsoft bundled the browser with its Windows 95 application. The result was a no-brainer for the average consumer: Buy the Win95 operating system, get yourself a ready-made browser and mail program (Outlook), and you were ready to go. In the meantime, Netscape’s Navigator marketed itself as a free download, available from the company website. While not as readily available as IE, it appealed to those who were always on the lookout for alternative technology. With NN’s launch, the race was on.

Over the next few years, the two companies ran neck in neck, constantly upgrading and releasing new versions of their respective browsers as quickly as they could. Web developers quickly fell into camps, labeling their sites “best viewed with…” and attaching the name of either Netscape or IE. The quicker the manufacturers could boast new features, the more marketable their product became. Unfortunately as both companies started to concentrate on promoting new “bells and whistles,” and paid less attention to things like security, problems ensued. The result was an extended period of technical bugs, crashes, and headaches for the once-enthusiastic user.