The Business of Broadband

Everyone’s simmering down now. Fireworks have been popped, and luckily, only the fabric from the gazebo was singed. The summer heat can bring out the creativity in everyone because we’re all sitting in the house twiddling our thumbs, fighting over who’s next on the PS3, or for the adults out there, BBMing incessantly due to boredom when we’re taking computer and Internet breaks. Website after website has been viewed, Yahoo Mail is starting to look more like Yoo-hoo Mail, and all of this is done in drab blues, grays, and oranges in our most beloved web browsers. Browser manufacturers responded to the overwhelming need to define the way we browse by offering personalization and custom features that can heighten everyone’s browsing experiences.

Dress up Your Web Browser

Firefox developers must have grown tired of looking at their staple ‘fox logo’ when they decided to introduce Personas for Firefox.

Almost a year in the making, Personas for Firefox currently exceed 30,000 themes and have become increasingly popular. There are several categories of themes to choose from, and even the most stoic user can find a Persona that will be the highlight of his day. The browser themes can be applied in versions 3.6 and above with little to no effort minus the hours (minutes really) that it takes to sort through the various themes.

Even the little slogan ‘What will your browser wear today’ is somewhat catchy and lured me in, but everyone is not jumping on the Persona bandwagon. Hardcore, ‘anti-frilly’ browser users are scoffing at the idea of Personas, but obviously, they don’t know what they are missing. Your tech support team will need very little preparation to assist with downloading and applying Personas, as Firefox has made it novice-user friendly and have provided great how-tos and FAQs on their website.

Google It

Google is getting dressed up, too. Google Chrome themes are a step up from the ‘stainless steel-like’ appearance when no theme is installed. Chrome is becoming one of the leading browsers, and what better way to lead than to offer users a chance to be creative and fun while browsing?

There are not nearly as many themes available as with Firefox Personas, but I firmly believe that having some variety is better than having no variety at all. Variety is, in fact, the spice of life!

Google has simplified the process by having users click on an ‘Apply Theme’ button; however, themes require at least version 3.0.195.3 or higher. Your tech support team should be on the look out for version information and technical issues when customers are attempting to apply themes.

Internet Explorer 9 Preview

Internet Explorer has long been known as the ‘blue E,’ and the browser themes, or lack thereof, are just as bland. IE dominated the browsing scene for quite some time until other browser manufacturers started to offer personalization, add-ons, plug-ins, etc. that were appealing to the masses and not available within IE.

With the impending release of Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft has finally began to incorporate themes and profiles that will make browsing ‘pretty,’ but exactly what will be unveiled lingers in our imaginations and in Microsoft’s board rooms. While security, performance, and acceleration are important, having a browser that is appealing to the eye is always a plus. You may direct your tech support team to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 Test Drive website to get a preview of what’s to come so that they are ready when the downloads are unleashed.

Browser personalization can bring out the quirkiness in all of us, but keep in mind that not all of your customers will be interested. Your tech support team can easily assist with browser customization but also make customers aware that customization is only an option and is easily reversible if mistakenly enabled. It won’t be the end of the world if one of your extreme techie customers accidentally selects a Persona with a glittery Tinkerbell.

For additional information on web browser personalization and customization, please feel free to leave your comments, and we will be glad to assist.