Micahville

Yesterday, Steve Jobs, the head of Apple (formerly known as Apple Computer) made a keynote speech at WWDC (aka World Wide Developers Conference).

All the fanboys were and are excited! I made a past post telling all of you what I think about them.

I won’t go into the full list of things that the Stevenote (Steve + Keynote) released because not only do most of them bore me, considering that I am not a Fanboy, but I really do not care. Multiple blogs have full coverage of the keynote.

Most Apple fans weren’t expecting that much. However, Apple did release one thing that I really do care about. Safari for Windows.

All of the aforementioned Mac Fanboyz already know what this is, but let me fill in the less informed.

Basically, Safari is Apple’s lowly attempt at a browser. Now they want people like me to use it, over Firefox and the copious selection of other browsers that I could. I mean is it really worth the switch?

Wired’s Cult of Mac asked the same question “Who in their right mind would switch?” They commented that

The initiative seems to rely on a domino theory fueled by infatuation. Apple is hoping there are Windows users so in love with their iPods and iTunes that they will also download Safari. Then they’ll fall in love with that, and the next thing you know they’ll be down at the Apple Store fishing for their credit cards

Well, I have a right mind. Maybe I can answer your question. What are the Pros and Cons?

Pros?

Simply Beautiful

Yes, I am attracted by shiny things. So what? Safari does look beautiful. The normal attention to detail that Apple usually puts into their design really shows. However, Firefox is beautiful too once you customize it.

Built in RSS

Safari’s built in RSS features mean that you don’t have to install another program to view all of your RSS feeds. Ya, you could do this in Firefox too. The RSS function works pretty well once it is set up.

Resizable Text Fields

Yes, I know, this is sort of nerdy, but really, they are actually pretty cool. The one feature that is the coolest about Safari, I haven’t used in Firefox. Although doesn’t mean that it is not there. Especially helpful for the vision impaired!

Cons?

Security

How secure could it be compared to Firefox? Firefox is already pretty airtight once you add some additional addons to it. The Cult of Mac reference earlier already considered the fact that Safari doesn’t support the amount of plugins that I would consider the baseline limit for my switching. Today, a Digger exposed some already existing holes in Safari.

No Plugins!

Right now Safari doesn’t support any, but I assume that developers who will be working on add ons for the iPhone will get the chance to use their apps on Safari for Windows (noted in Cult of Mac).

I expect them to make plug in functionality in the future. If they don’t..well then they are killing their product.

Loading Times

The reason that lower Loading times are bad for alternative browsers might be tied into the lack of plugin support.

It would be nice if someone could verify their claims, seeing as how they are hard to believe for me.

That is all I have to say for now, but the future of the product will be determined by how Apple handles the complaints that the users have.

One user on Digg replied

But, if Apple keep coding for a solid 18 months or so, and take a leaf out of Firefox’s play manual, then there is hope for this useless lump of bloated super-model yet.

Let’s see what the next 18 months brings before we pass final judgment.

"Safari for Windows: Is switching worth it?" was given life on on Monday, June 11th, 2007 at 2:57 pm and, I think, categorized Technology.