Mozilla’s Firefox web browser has long been a popular alternative for Windows based PC users who did not want to use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, but Mac users were also fond of the browser. Unfortunately for those Mac users, it looks like the end of the road for those using Power PC Mac computers. According to recent word from the Director of Firefox, Mike Beltzner, the usage data for Power PC users, as well as troubles based on improvements to Firefox 4, may make it a very tough fit for Power PC users. Beltzner told this to his mailing list as the company continues to weigh the pros and cons of including these machines in its next incarnation of Firefox. There is a strong chance that now only machines running Intel for Mac will be able to use Firefox 4. Part of the issue has to do with the age of the Power PC tech and the fact that the rest of PCs today are now on to different tech. That means that the Power PC users may simply be left behind.
On the user side of things, those who continue using out dated software do face increased security risks which puts them in a bind over whether they should switch to different software or upgrade their hardware, both of which can be expensive questions. Mozilla does intend to maintain its support some older versions of Firefox for a while in order to keep them secure for those still using those the older software and hardware.
