BRISTOL, UK: Most business entrepreneurs play it safer when dealing with software than in other aspects of their dealings and the launch of Mozilla's Firefox 3.0 has highlighted the issue.

Firefox has always been in a free open source browser and has continued to grow in popularity over the last couple of years. One of the main reasons for its current success is because software developers from all around the world can contribute to evolution of the programme.

This is shown most clearly in the vast amount of different Add-ons available for Firefox including Pop-up blockers, built-in FTP explorers and integrated search engines.

On-line business guru Guy Kingston of Mind Your Own Business says: 'While most people's view of a true entrepreneur is that of a risk taker working on innovations and at the leading edge of life - the truth is sadly that most play it very safe when it comes to adopting new software. In the case of internet browsers most would rather stick with the tried and tested Internet Explorer even though there is no cost associated with trying and using Firefox.'

The launch of Firefox 3.0 with its stunning new features will not get entrepreneurs racing to download it. But the early adopters, who want to start or grow a business, may find that they have found something that gives them a distinct advantage.

The launch of Firefox 3.0 on June 17 saw the browser being downloaded 8.3 million times in a 24 hour period. It builds on the older version with more built-in functionality and an updated Graphical User Interface.

Guy comments: 'The popularity of Firefox 3.0 demostrates the power of the customisability of open source software and how it is having a significant impact on Microsoft Internet Explorer's traditional dominance.'

However, there are certain key developments that will give you a competitive advantage. The questions to ask are does Firefox 3.0 help you carry out your business faster? Does its customisability make your life easier? Will it free up time for other tasks? Will it enable you to be one of the first offering a new service?

If the answer to any of these is yes then business entrepreneurs should be considering making the change or at least giving it a try!