Firefox 3 Downloads Over 20 Million
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SpreadFirefox.com reports that nearly 22 million users have downloaded the software. Currently, the United States leads all nations in downloads with over 6 million. Germany ranks second in the number of copies of Firefox 3 downloaded with over 1.8 million.
Download Day was Mozilla's marketing campaign to get users excited about the latest version of the browser. The company used the gimmick of setting a Guinness World Record for most downloaded d software in a single day. Mozilla's goal was to set the goal at 5 million downloads in a 24 hour period. Firefox 3 easily cruised past that goal on download day with 8 million downloads.
Since the initial download, the Web browser has surpassed the 20 million mark and downloads appear to still be strong.
The next step in the process is for Firefox 3 to be certified by Guinness World Records. To help get their audit logs in order, Mozilla has brought on two external judges: Paul Vixie, of the Internet Systems Consortium, and Corey Shields, of Indiana University's University of Information Technology Services.
Once the two judges and Mozilla feel confident that their download logs are in order, they will be handed over to the people at Guinness World Records for verification. If the attempt is verified, Firefox 3 will be the first recipient of the most software downloaded in a single day record.
The process of having a record certified by Guinness can take two different paths. If Mozilla chooses not to expedite the service, the results will be released in four to six weeks. On the other hand, if the company opts for Fast Review, the results could be available in three days from the time the logs are submitted.
The FAQ section of SpreadFirefox.com states that the attempt will take "approximately a week after our attempt date."
For users who want to display pride in their effort to help set a world record, Mozilla is offering certificates. By going to SpreadFirefox.com and clicking on the 'Flaunt It' tab, Firefox 3 Download Day participants can print out a personalized certificate.