Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Why is Firefox called Firefox?
A story of bullying, and failing to see if a product name is in use before choosing it.
April 30, 2024
post photo preview

Nowadays, everybody knows the name “Firefox.”

Utter that name, and nearly every computer user will instantly know you are talking about the web browser from Mozilla Corporation… even if Firefox market share has dropped down to less than 3%.

But did you know that Firefox was not originally named “Firefox”?

In fact… the Mozilla Web Browser settled on that name through a series of bad decisions, bullying of another open source project, and a game of word association.

Seriously. You wouldn’t think it… but it’s kind of a wild story.

Before Mozilla had a browser

Our story starts back in 1998…

The source code for Netscape, once the most popular web browser in the world, had just been released as open source under “The Mozilla Project.”

And, over the few years that followed (funded by AOL Time Warner), several web browsers were created which used that core Mozilla code. Web browsers that, for the most part, have long been forgotten.

Web Browsers such as GaleonK-MeleonQBAT.i, and SkipStone. Many browsers, for many platforms… all built using the core Mozilla web rendering engine. Yet there was no official “Mozilla” web browser.

By 2002 it was determined that needed to change.

Enter the Phoenix

On September 23rd, 2002, the very first release of the official Mozilla web browser hit the Internet.

Version 0.1 of… “Phoenix”.

A big red, flame-y bird that looks like it was drawn with a crayon. What’s not to love?

Phoenix! A fantastic name! So much symbolism!

A new web browser, rising from the ashes of Netscape (which appeared to be losing the browser war to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer). An inspired choice.

There was just one teensy-weensy little problem: There was already a web browser with that name.

Phoenix FirstWare Connect” was a web browser, developed by Phoenix Technologies, that ran entirely in their BIOS (without need for an operating system).

That’s right. Mozilla, the people who spent years building web browser rendering engines, had no idea there was already a browser named “Phoenix” when they chose the name. If only there had been some sort of engine they could have used to search the Web.

*cough cough*

Phoenix Technologies didn’t much care for Mozilla using their name. Obviously.

Either Mozilla needed to change their name… or buckle down for a legal fight they were sure to lose. Mozilla may have had the backing of AOL Time Warner… but Phoenix Technologies was big enough (and with a strong enough case) to take them on.

Synonyms to the rescue!

Luckily, someone at Mozilla managed to get ahold of an encyclopedia (or possibly a really good thesaurus) and found another word that was often used in place of “Phoenix.”

On May 17, 2003 the Phoenix browser was renamed… to Firebird.

This was incredibly handy… as Mozilla didn’t even need to change the logo! The big, red, flame-y bird could stay! Huzzah!

And, this time around, the Mozilla team learned to use a Search Engine to see if another web browser already had the same name! Smart!

… Unfortunately, it turns out there was already another open source project, sponsored by a different company, using the “Firebird” name: The Firebird Database Server.

But -- and here's the wild part -- Mozilla simply didn’t care.

They decided to adopt the name of the exiting project anyway. They didn’t even contact the other project first. Because they were Mozilla… a part of AOL Time Warner… and they didn’t feel like they needed to do such things.

Mozilla the bully

Having two open source projects — both running on the same computer platforms — using the exact same name and very similar imagery… is not ideal. To say the least.

Especially for the smaller project that came first.... Firebird Database Server.

Logo for the “Firebird Database Server”.

Having a new project copy your name, then plaster the Internet with links to their new project, all backed by AOL? It would become almost impossible to find information about the original project!

This was, obviously, a fight worth having. The “Firebird Database Server” folks needed to defend their trademark… almost as a matter of survival.

Unfortunately

  • Mozilla was part of AOL Time Warner. A huge, mega corporation with a vast army of lawyers.

  • The company that sponsored “Firebird Database Server”, was a little company called “IBPhoenix” with a limited budget. And, what’s worse, no army of lawyers.

Mozilla was an 800 pound gorilla, and “IBPhoenix / Firebird Database” simply was too small to be able to afford a fight with the likes of AOL Time Warner.

Obviously, IBPhoenix asked Mozilla to not use their name… but to no avail.

After Mozilla refused to change their name, IBPhoenix did the only thing they could think of… they pleaded with their developers and users to email Mozilla, and ask Mozilla to stop using their name.

Mozilla, again, refused. “We're still going to use the project name Mozilla Firebird,” stated a Mozilla representative in an interview where they attacked the database maker.

The public was beginning to see what a bully Mozilla could be.

Things were not going well for Mozilla at this point. Users were beginning to boycott the Mozilla browser, and the bad press was getting severe with headlines like "Phoenix flies from frying pan to fire" and "Mozilla's Firebird gets wings clipped".

Then Mozilla plays word association

After nearly a full year of Mozilla using the “Firebird” name — knowingly harming the “Firebird Database Server” the entire time — Mozilla finally caved to the public pressure to change the name of their web browser.

On February 9, 2004, the name for the Mozilla web browser officially changed to “Firefox” with the release of the 0.8 version.

Why did the name become “Firefox”?  Because it sounded similar to “Firebird.”

Seriously. “Firefox” is a name for a panda… which had absolutely nothing to do with a “Phoenix” or “Firebird”… but it had “Fire” in it… so it was good enough!

Well, that and Mozilla felt like there couldn’t possibly be any software company, product, or project with that name. The Mozilla leadership was pretty keen on avoiding yet another trademark dispute before their web browser had even reached version 1.0.

Mozilla even made sure to register “Firefox” as a Trademark in the USA. Phew! They learned their lesson!

Well. Almost.

They forgot about the United Kingdom

While the Mozilla leadership felt like the name “Firefox” must be totally unique in the software world… it really, really wasn’t.

In fact, the name “Firefox” had been in use for almost a decade by a software company in the United Kingdom named The Charlton Company.

The Firefox trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office.

To make matters worse… the name “Firefox” was specifically being used for “communications and connectivity” software. Which is kinda-sorta-exactly how you would describe a web browser.

WOOPS!

This would be like a new company creating a carbonated soft drink named “Coke”… but thinking it was ok to use the already-in-use name… because… you know... they wanted to.

But, rather than get involved in yet another public fight over the third name they’ve chosen… Mozilla tried to settle things behind the scenes. Eventually, by some time in 2005, Mozilla reached a deal with the “Firefox” trademark holder to use the name.

What the terms of that deal are remains unknown.

Firefox it shall be!

So, there you have it! Mozilla went through three different names for their web browser — all before they even hit version 1.0.

  • They completely failed to look around for others using their new name.  Multiple times.
  • They bullied an open source project they stole a name from.
  • Eventually they screwed up their renaming too many times and simply had to strike a deal with somone whose name they copied.

A wild tale of incompetence, bullying, and not knowing how to use a search engine.

Yet, after all of that, Firefox managed to become a nearly household name. A brand recognized around the world… even if less than 3% of computer users actually use it.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
12
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Meta: Ending DEl, Ending "Fact Checking", Allowing LGBT Criticism & Vaccine Skepticism

Facebook employees "in meltdown" over changes which allow people to say "LGBT are mentally ill". Zuck regrets censoring at demand of Biden.

00:37:07
Linux Foundation Launches Pay-to-Play, Inclusive "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers"

Because doing something about "Linux" just isn't the Linux Foundation's style. Plus: Reactions from Brendan Eich (Brave CEO) & Andreas Kling (Ladybird Browser).

00:22:50
January 09, 2025
Lunduke's Retro DOS BBS is On-Line

Free to use, Telnet BBS: A shrine to 1990s BBS gaming. TradeWars 2002, Legend of the Red Dragon, & More.

00:18:33
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

The first 20-ish hours of The House of Lunduke BBS has been a blast.

Over 250 new users signed up. All 20 nodes were filled with folks rapidly "re-dialing" to get one of the available lines. Just like it was in the 80s and 90s. 🤣

Games of TradeWars 2002 and L.O.R.D. are off to a fantastic start. Heck, there's even folks playing Barren Realms Elite (one of my personal favorites, but always less popular than the other games).

In true, authentic, retro-BBS fashion we had a hiccup in the middle of the night -- with a configuration issue on the Telnet server causing all incoming connections to stop working for a couple hours (all fixed now). It wouldn't be an old-school BBS without technical issues! 😎

OpenMandriva - Final Work-Arounds

  • Protonmail-Bridge, and the ProtonMail desktop client ARE available via Flatpak.

  • Steam is available via flatpak and works! Now, I just need to remember what my login is.

  • Dotnet and Powershell both work by using Microsoft's direct installation shell scripts, rather than the packaged distributions.

curious application ... all about dictionaries. I didn't realize there were so many "standards" but this collects them all together in a common interface, along with audible pronounciation and lots of other word/language things I don't understand. One place it "looks up" words now is on wikipedia, from which it extracts and renders the pages ... without any dire warnings about how they're about to go bankrupt (morally, perhaps)

I was having similar thought about a browser that selectively extracts content from sites - just textual content and inline images - to view in a gemini-like browser free of noise. and, while I'm looking at it, why not cache it in a gemini-like database? ...topic for a different time. (morally, perhaps)

linguaphiles might find this intersting in any case: http://goldendict.org/

January 09, 2025
post photo preview
The House of Lunduke BBS
Telnet: BBS.LUNDUKE.COM

The House of Lunduke BBS is a 20 node, Telnet BBS (bbs.lunduke.com) focused on the golden age of DOS BBS gaming -- including TradeWars 2002 and Legend of the Red Dragon.

 

 

The BBS is free to use, & creating an account takes only a moment.  All new users are granted 2 hours of access to all games on the system (more than enough to get in your daily turns of every one of these classic games).

Current games on the BBS:

  • TradeWars 2002 (aka TW2002)
  • Legend of the Red Dragon (aka LORD)
  • Legend of the Red Dragon 2
  • The Pit
  • Exitilus
  • DoorMUD
  • Barren Realms Elite

 

How to Connect

 

Accessing The House of Lunduke BBS is incredibly easy.  Simply point any Telnet client at "bbs.lunduke.com" on port 23 (the default Telnet port).

This means, on many systems, a simple:

telnet bbs.lunduke.com

Will, technically, work.

However, if you want to have the absolute best experience -- and see what BBSing was truly like back in the 1980s and 1990s -- you'll want to use a Telnet client capable of displaying ANSI color... specifically one tuned for BBSes.

The following Telnet clients are all recommended and work well with The House of Lunduke:

Once you have chosen your Telnet client, simply add "bbs.lunduke.com" to your address book and connect.  Or, from within some Telnet clients, you can also type "atdtbbs.lunduke.com" (no spaces).

Fun fact: "ATDT" is a command which tells an old-school modem to "tone dial this number".  The "AT" stands for "Attention", "D" stands for "Dial", and ending T stands for "Tone".  In the old days ATDT would be followed by a phone number... but, since we're connecting via Telnet, we now use a domain.

Or, if you want to get really old-school, it is possible to utilize DOSBox and an era appropriate terminal client (such as Telemate).

 

 

F.A.Q.

 

Q: What software does The House of Lunduke BBS run?

A: The core BBS software is known as Virtual Advanced (a successor to VBBS), a DOS-based BBS package that acheived some popularity during the early 1990s.  All of the games on the system (known as "Door games" in BBS terminology) also run on DOS -- and each is the most popular version (or the last version) of each.  A Telnet server handles incoming telnet connections -- which then interfaces with the DOS-based BBS software, using what is known as a FOSSIL driver.

 

Fun Fact: A FOSSIL driver is a serial interface driver -- which makes it easier to use a standard interface to multiple different communication devices (such as a type of dial-up modem or a Telnet connection).  FOSSIL stands for "Fido Opus SEAdog Standard Interface Layer".  Which is a fun name.

 

Q: What does "20 node" mean?

A: In "ye olden times", BBSes used modems and phone lines.  One person, at a time, could call a BBS on each phone line.  Each of these is a "node".  We are now living in the future -- and using Telnet instead of phone lines -- which means that, in theory, we could have a small mountain of people connecting at the same time.  However.  Since we are using 1980s and 1990s DOS software, jury-rigged to work with the modern Internet, some of those old limitations still apply.  20 nodes were chosen as that makes for an incredibly large BBS system... but not too difficult to manage.

 

Q: Why not use a more modern BBS server?

A: There are several "modern" BBS servers -- with many fancy benefits.  MysticBBS, Synchronet, and others.  The House of Lunduke BBS is not about being modern.  Or fancy.  It is about preserving a snapshot of a high-point in BBS gaming history.

Read full Article
December 26, 2024
Wow! Only 2 Lifetime Subs left to hit the January Lunduke Journal goal!

I am abso-friggin-lutely gobsmacked.

If just two more people pick up Lifetime Subscriptions (or a handful of Yearly subscriptions), The Lunduke Journal will have hit our subscription and funding goal for next month!

That means -- if 2 of you amazing nerds jump in -- The Lunduke Journal won't need to worry about running any sort of promotion, sale, or fundraiser during the entire month of January (at least)!  Rad beyond words.

You nerds rule.

Want to help push us over 100% -- and keep truly independent Tech Journalism alive and rocking?  You can grab a discounted Lifetime Subscription until midnight tonight (Thursday, Dec 26th).  Scroll down and choose whichever option works best for you.

Those Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub Details

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $200, via Locals or Substack.

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $190, via Bitcoin.

  • Either for yourself or for a gift.

  • Through December 26th.

All the details below. Or pick up a standard monthly / yearly subscription (via whatever subscription platform you prefer).  Everything goes directly towards that January goal — and keeping The Lunduke Journal confidently operating well into the future!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

Plus: They make a great, nerdy gift.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through December 26th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

Want to purchase a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription as a gift for someone else? Here's how:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. Send an email to "bryan at Lunduke.com" with the subject "Lifetime Gift Subscription". Include the email address and / or Locals user name (if they have one) of the person you would like to gift the subscription to.

  5. Lunduke will email you to confirm details.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
December 26, 2024
15 hours left to grab a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub

Woo!  We're over 85% of the way to hitting our January subscription goal for The Lunduke Journal!  Not too shabby!

Want to help push us over 100% -- and keep truly independent Tech Journalism alive and rocking?  You can grab a discounted Lifetime Subscription until midnight tonight (Thursday, Dec 26th).

Those Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub Details

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $200, via Locals.

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $190, via Bitcoin.

  • Either for yourself or for a gift.

  • Through December 26th.

All the details below. Or pick up a standard monthly / yearly subscription (via whatever subscription platform you prefer).  Everything goes directly towards that January goal — and keeping The Lunduke Journal confidently operating well into the future!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

Plus: They make a great, nerdy gift.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through December 26th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

Want to purchase a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription as a gift for someone else? Here's how:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. Send an email to "bryan at Lunduke.com" with the subject "Lifetime Gift Subscription". Include the email address and / or Locals user name (if they have one) of the person you would like to gift the subscription to.

  5. Lunduke will email you to confirm details.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals