Was surprised to be told this:

[truenorth]

Even with the proliferation of available browsers this kinda surprised me:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/tech/news/2010/10/05/15589241.html
truenorth

[Computer Hope Admin]

Didn't surprise me too much, I find that most users are still running IE simply because they have not tried an alternative browser. Once they switch they often stay with the new browser they try. Will be interesting to see how IE9 turns out though and if people start to switch back.

[overthehill]

Didn't surprise me too much, I find that most users are still running IE simply because they have not tried an alternative browser. Once they switch they often stay with the new browser they try. Will be interesting to see how IE9 turns out though and if people start to switch back.

As has been discussed many times, "browsers" are a personal choice. Perhaps many have tried browsers other than IE and have indeed switched. As for me, I've tried most of the most popular browsers ,given them what I thought was a fair evaluation, but I keep going back to IE. It's not that I'm afraid of change, it's just my personal choice. overthehill

[soybean]

Perhaps many have tried browsers other than IE and have indeed switched. As for me, I've tried most of the most popular browsers ,given them what I thought was a fair evaluation, but I keep going back to IE. It's not that I'm afraid of change, it's just my personal choice.

I believe you are unusual in this regard; I would not hesitate to bet that the majority of users who try another browser for awhile do not go back to IE. 

[Computer Hope Admin]

I'm so used to the plugins in Firefox now that I'd have a hard time switching to anything else, since the only thing that's close to offering the same amount of plugins is Chrome.

[Mulreay]

I would also think that now microsoft has to advertise all the main browsers available when you purchase a new computer/windows, that this will be having an impact.
People who would have never bothered having a look at the options available have now got the opportunity right in front of them when they start the computer.

[JJ 3000]

I would also think that now microsoft has to advertise all the main browsers available when you purchase a new computer/windows

They do?

[Mulreay]

They do?

Yep this has been around for a while now.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1594102/microsoft-starts-advertising-alternative-web-browsers

[CBMatt]

As has been discussed many times, "browsers" are a personal choice. Perhaps many have tried browsers other than IE and have indeed switched. As for me, I've tried most of the most popular browsers ,given them what I thought was a fair evaluation, but I keep going back to IE. It's not that I'm afraid of change, it's just my personal choice. overthehill

You're not alone here.  I have all of the major browsers for testing purposes, but I don't really like anything other than IE6 (not even later versions of IE).  And it's not a matter of being afraid of change for me either; I have been using other browsers for over a year now...but I always go to IE6 as my default.  Unfortunately, people are no longer supporting it.  While it's very easy to make a page display properly in IE6, most people don't want to bother and I can understand that.  It is just too bad that I have to lose functionality on some sites because there isn't another browser out there that suits my preferences.  No amount of customization is able to emulate the design and layout that I most prefer.  Sadly, there's no room in this world for us folks who like things gray and boxy.

[Allan]

Yep. IE has always been my favorite (though I always had Firefox & Opera installed as "back ups"). I've recently converted to Firefox though simply because IE was either crashing or acting flaky too often for absolutely no reason. Once IE9 is finalized I'll almost certainly give it another shot.

[soybean]

I have all of the major browsers for testing purposes, but I don't really like anything other than IE6 (not even later versions of IE).

Really?  IE6 isn't even a tabbed browser.  That, alone, would be enough reason for me to send IE6 to it's grave.

[soybean]

I would also think that now microsoft has to advertise all the main browsers available when you purchase a new computer/windows, that this will be having an impact.
People who would have never bothered having a look at the options available have now got the opportunity right in front of them when they start the computer.

That ruling that you're referring to applies to Europe but not the U.S. and other parts of the world.  So, yeah, it will surely have an impact on browser usage in Europe.

[Mulreay]

That ruling that you're referring to applies to Europe but not the U.S. and other parts of the world.  So, yeah, it will surely have an impact on browser usage in Europe.

Edited by me, I had a statement but it seems that soybean edited his as well.. so no need to comment

[CBMatt]

Really?  IE6 isn't even a tabbed browser.  That, alone, would be enough reason for me to send IE6 to it's grave.

Actually, I don't like tabbed browsers.  Everyone seems to think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I've never been fond of it.  I tend to have quite a few windows open at once, so that means I have to look for the right program in the task bar and then I have to look for the right tab.  By having separate windows, I narrow it down to just one step.  Also, if I happen to go to a web site that causes an error/issue of some sort and I have to close the browser, it's nice having to close only one window.  I've had plenty of instances of losing my place on several sites because of a mishap on Firefox.  So, even if I use a tabbed browser, I tend to still open multiple windows (and doing so with Firefox can cause issues...at least for me).

The only problem I have with IE6 is that it isn't up-to-date when it comes to displaying sites.  If that could be corrected without having to "upgrade", I would be in browser heaven.

[michaewlewis]

You know you can turn off tabbed browsing in IE7+ or Firefox, right?