Firefox: On the front lines of the Internet wars
Baker: We are in good shape. . . . Many citizens may not focus on something so arcane as the method we use to develop the software, but open source provides a level of security and consumer advocacy that doesn't exist in other settings. We have a set of friendly people who look for potential issues or occasionally find a real vulnerability. Those people participate because they care about the browser they are using or they are out to prove their own expertise. [In fact, Mozilla rewards those who help them find and fix real security problems with token payments of $500.]
U.S.News: You don't like the word consumers.
Baker: I think consumers is the wrong word. What people do with the Web is not just consume: They create, they participate, they do things, they blog. . . . Our corporate structure gives us a chance to think about what benefits you when you use the Web. How do we create a center for citizens on the Web? Investment and commercial entities building the Web are critical. But you need at least one thing that isn't devoted to exactly how much return on investment can we get and is focused on what do human beings need to participate effectively to work together in this new thing we call the Web. That is the core of what we are trying to do.
U.S.News: You're still having some problems with some E-commerce and other sites that won't work with Firefox.
Baker: A lot of these sites were built during the '90s under a monopoly system. They were built using a set of technologies that were unique to IE and [Microsoft's] Windows operating system. We have a list of those that don't work with Firefox. We have an evangelism component, and we try to explain and be helpful. But if they built their site based on [controversial and potentially insecure Microsoft programs such as] ActiveX, they are stuck, since we won't support that because of the security problems. Financial institutions in particular have very long certification processes with browsers. We do get more and more mail from sites that are making the effort to support Firefox, though.
U.S.News: You watched Netscape get crushed by Microsoft. Now you are running a business that is winning market share back from Microsoft. Is there a little feeling of getting your own back?
Baker: It sounds hokey, but it is not about getting back.
U.S.News: Not even a little bit?
Baker: No. I don't think you can be a little bit about revenge and getting back. What really drives me and other people here is what the Web can be, what the possibilities are, the chance to communicate and work together with vast communities.
U.S.News: You also launched an E-mail product, but that doesn't seem to be gaining much traction. What's next for Mozilla?
Baker: Our focus remains Firefox. The browser is good. But plenty more can be done, especially with sharing and collaboration. We keep looking at RSS [really simple syndication, a program that alerts you when new content pops up on websites you've selected]. Firefox is already RSS-enabled. And we have a live-bookmark feature so that if you subscribe it will tell you if there is new content. Live bookmarks are a first step. We know we are not done with bookmarks. There is a lot of content on the Web that is changing. How do we help people see what is changing that interests them without them having to go visit 40 or 50 sites or open 40 or 50 windows? The Web is just overwhelming in what's out there. And often the technical community wants to create more and more complex things. Our job is to provide just a taste so that people are not overwhelmed and so that they can see what can be done out there.
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