Firefox users alienated

Surfers that use alternative browsers to Microsoft's Internet Explorer could find problems accessing certain UK websites, according to new research.

One in 10 UK websites failed to work properly on the open source Firefox web browser when analysed by web-testing firm SciVisum.

SciVisum tested popular websites, such as Odeon cinema and JobCentrePlus, and found that they were difficult to access for web users using browsers other than Internet Explorer.

Of 100 websites, three per cent failed to provide full access to non Internet Explorer users and seven per cent used codes only recognised by the Microsoft browser.

Firefox, an open source browser created by Mozilla, has been downloaded more than 50 million times since its launch in November 2004.

Deri Jones, chief executive officer of SciVisum, said: “"Surprisingly, after all these years, users of standard-compliant browsers are still faced with sites that do not support their browser or with a link suggesting they download Internet Explorer, a browser they had presumably chosen not to use."

Other sites that failed non Internet Explorer users included Insurance.co.uk, an online insurance site run by Lloyds TSB and the British American Tobacco site.

According to the study, the most improved websites include electrical retailer Powerhouse that no longer excludes Firebox users and the English Heritage site.

SciVisum
Firefox