Here're notes about a conversation with MitchellBaker re: kibble adoption and product strategy and what we can learn from recent success of FireFox^? and how it contrasts with slower adoption of Mozilla 1.0.

Two key drivers:

• Firefox is a better product
  • Product actually had "design"
    • Simpler, easier to use product (not hodge podge of features)
  • Extensible architecture is key
    • allows users to get out of two bad product fates:
      • lowest common denominator design
      • cramming of all features, 80% not used by any single user
    • More able to meet with changing fashion and needs
  • Explicit planning on how to switch IE users
    • e.g. IE skin
  • How to support ActiveX^? controls?
• More receptive users
  • IE flaws, especially security became highly visible. IE was thus became a poorer product
  • Users more receptive to downloading
    • More broadband users
    • More web-savvy users (e.g. college kids very comfortable with downloading software)