What is a Web Browser (and What Happened to WhatBrowser.org)

After a few unsuccessful attempts, Jason Toff, a Programming Manager at Google, finally gave up on trying to explain to his mother what a web browser was. In 2009, Toff created WhatBrowser.org, a website that provided more information about web browsers for both tech and non-tech users. WhatBrowser.org is no longer available, and we took some time to find out what happened to the website.

The web browser is perhaps one of the most important software no one thinks about. We simply click on the browser icon, and we are instantly transported into the world wide web. But browsers have come a long way ever since they represented a window into the internet or a central starting point to a web experience.

Fast forward three decades and many of the proprietary technologies and features that enabled interactive user experiences have given way to newer features and capabilities that deliver great online experiences. People like browsers even more because they now also provide a broader range of functionalities such as web services, online apps, browser extensions, cloud services, and so much more.

What is a Browser?

A web browser or internet browser is a software program that allows users to access and explore the content available on the internet. The action is referred to as ‘browsing,’ and it allows web users to find and interact with various pieces of content, including text, pictures, videos, and web pages.

Other than the aesthetic appearance, many browsers seem quite similar on the surface. However, they provide different functionalities, and some features may only be found within one browser and not another. To a web user, this may prompt the question, which, then, is the best web browser, a simple question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer.

History of Web Browsers

In the early days of the internet, there was hardly an array of web browsers to choose from. It was mostly a choice between, say, Netscape Navigator and Microsoft’s iconic Internet Explorer. This, of course, has changed and other more dominant forces have since taken over the browser market.

Much of the history of landmark tech advances was fraught with rapid changes and fierce competition. The history of web browsers isn’t any different. Ever since the 1950s, when computers still took up entire rooms and were hardly any smarter than today’s pocket calculators, browser wars were already stirring up.

By the 1960s, computers had advanced. There was now pressure from governments and universities all over the world to have them ‘talk’ to each other. This ushered in the web era, even though it wasn’t until 20 or so years later that the internet became accessible to the public. In fact, the first popular web browser wasn’t created until 1993 when computer scientist Marc Andreessen created Mosaic. He then created Netscape Navigator in 1994, which he released to the public in the same year.

It was the release of Netscape in 1994 that sparked a series of browser wars that would eventually lead to the kind of online experiences internet users have today. Microsoft released Internet Explorer in 1995, followed by a series of new versions with iterations that delivered new and better browsing experiences.

Microsoft’s decision to ship its Windows operating system with Internet Explorer preinstalled seemed to have settled the browser war at the time. By 1999, it had 99% of the browser market share. But then other competitors such as Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Google Chrome emerged in the late 1990s and 2000 and began to cut Internet Explorer’s market share.

The Browser Landscape Today

Chances are that you are reading this article from any of the following web browsers; Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari. Many estimates now indicate that nearly two out of every three web users now access the internet through Google Chrome. Below is a breakdown of the latest market share statistics;

What then Happened to WhatBrowser.org

Speed, compatibility, security, and privacy are now some of the top concerns for many web users. In fact, these issues may even be considered the ‘ethos’ behind the design and functionalities of different web browsers. All this requires an understanding of the ins and outs of browsers before one can select the perfect one.

But what about Jason Toff’s mother and other non-tech users who couldn’t grasp the nuts and bolts of web browsers? This was the premise of WhatBrowser.org. An out of date browser, for instance, could significantly impact a user’s browsing experience in many ways. It may not render JavaScript or HTML5 correctly, limit the audio and video capability one could run, or expose their system to potential security breaches.

WhatBrowser.org helped users establish which browsers they were using and also offer tips on how they could change their homepage, change their default search engine, and their default web browser.

In 2012, Google announced that it had revamped WhatBrowser.org. It had rebuilt the website HTML5, localized it in 43 languages, and made it available on mobile. But in 2018, Google indicated, via a notice on the site, that WhatBrowser.org would not be available after November 30, 2018. The site was available for a short period but went completely offline by the end of the same year. There are no solid reports as to why Google pulled the plug on the browser promotion website.

What Alternatives Offer The Same Service?

There are alternative websites that provide similar services to web users. Whatsmybrowser.org is a great example. A visit to the landing page automatically provides details of your web browser, including your operating system, the name of your browser, whether you have Flash and Java installed, and whether you have JavaScript enabled.

WhatIsMyBrowser.com spares web users some of the complicated processes of getting information about their web browsers. This information may be useful when receiving remote technical assistance and narrowing down to the specific technical issues.

As the name suggests, SupportDetails.com features a visual depiction of all the relevant tech data of your web browser and operating system. The information is available on the landing page, and users can download or export the information on a PDF or CSV file.