Firefox gets viral

You will notice that I posted a button saying, "get firefox." For those not yet converted, Firefox is a relatively new, completely opensource Web browser that is competing head to head with Microsoft's Internet Explorer. In all seriousness, I really do admire Mozilla's opensource software programs, and I use them. But I posted it mainly to draw attention to one of the best examples going of an organic, grassroots viral buzz campaign. The Spread Firefox website was built completely by fans of Firefox and Mozilla, which is itself a nonprofit without deep pockets. Visitors are encouraged not only to download and use the browser, but to submit their own artwork, marketing ideas, ad buttons, blog entries, and more. Fans even organized independent of Mozilla to pay thousands for a full-page ad in the New York Times.