On browsing browsers

Dear Firefox,

We’ve been together for a while now, though we never said we’d be exclusive. I must confess I am still seeing I.E. behind your back. Yes, on the other computer. After all, I only went with you on this one because you were supposed to be faster. So far you haven’t really lived up to my expectations, and I’m beginning to wonder if faster really is better…

In light of my continuing affair with I.E., I thought it was time we talked about what is good about this relationship. And what is not. Perhaps if you change, I’d be willing to stay with you. Until then I don’t really see a future for you and me.

To start with your good sides, I really like that you are considerate of my needs and wants. When you first asked me if I wanted to “close and save tabs” or just “close” the browser, it made me feel really special – like a princess. After the 874,766th time, however, I think it is high time that you learn that I don’t really want to save the tabs I close for next time I open the browser. When I close something, I close it. I don’t want to save. Yes, I do realize that I can ask you not to ask, but I really wanted you to figure it out for yourself.

(By the way, I don’t mind when I.E. asks me if I want to re-open any closed tabs whenever I open a new tab. He just has better timing than you. After all, it is more likely that I want to open the same tab several times within the same browsing session than that I want to reopen them hours later.)

I like your memory. I think it is cute that I only have to type a few letters, and you recall any website I’ve visited. The problem is, I also find it slightly disturbing. It’s like you’re monitoring me. Sometimes I just want to ask for a little space. I.E. is much more discreet about this. The whole star-thing doesn’t really work like I.E.’s favourites. He knows what sites I like. When you make me assign stars, I feel like an elementary school teacher. I hate not being able to give stars to everyone.

I guess there were a few things I didn’t like mixed in with the ones I like. You just make me feel ambiguous like that. I haven’t yet decided if it’s a good thing.

As for the bad things, there are a few. There is no easy way of saying this, so I’m just going to jump right in.

I hate – HATE – your uncooperativeness when it comes to Blogger. I realize that the two of you don’t get along very well. I get that sometimes the chemistry just isn’t right. But as long as Blogger is important to me, it should be important to you too. So I suggest you try a little harder. Don’t block the Google Friend request (I.E. manages just fine, just so you know it). Don’t mess up my formatting when I want to paste a blog post from Word into Blogger. And don’t stop me from posting altogether. It has happened a few times. You know what I talk about. It makes me so frustrated!

Finally, I just can’t get used to how you have the "refresh" and "home" buttons on the wrong side of the top page bar. It just looks weird.

As long as things remain like this, I’m sorry to have to tell you that I.E. is still my “standard program”. I just can’t see myself changing that anytime soon. It’s all in your hands now. I know it must sound cold-hearted since I am the one who strayed, but I honestly don’t think this is my fault. If we are going to make this work, you have to change.

Yours (only partly) truly,
Cruella.