Microsoft Adopts Mozillas RSS Icon

Internet Explorer and Firefox will have at least one thing in common, going forward. The two browsers will sport the same orange icon for real simple syndication. (Microsoft Watch)

Microsoft has extended an olive branch in announcing on Wednesday on the Team RSS Blog that it will adopt the same orange RSS icon used in Mozilla Corporations Firefox browser. Two months ago, Microsofts announcement that it planned to redesign the RSS icon set off a ferocious debate.

Microsoft posted a number of icon redesign suggestions, asking the community for its input. This week, Microsoft went public with its plans.

"Im excited to announce that were adopting the icon used in Firefox. [They] were very enthusiastic about allowing us [and anyone in the community] to use their icon," wrote a member of Microsofts RSS Team. Early responses to Microsofts decision, posted on the Team RSS were overwhelmingly positive, describing the shared Microsoft-Mozilla icon as "well done!" and "and a welcome change of pace from the browser wars." Microsofts RSS Team assured users that working with Firefox on standardization was not an isolated affair. "This isnt the first time that weve worked with the Mozilla team to exchange ideas and encourage consistency between browsers, and were sure it wont be the last," Microsoft team members wrote, citing Microsofts work with Firefox and Opera in making secure HTTPS sites more visible by moving the lock icon in to the address bar. Not all responders were pleased with Microsofts RSS icon decision, however. Some argued that the RSS brouhaha took the focus off more pressing IE7-development issues. "This is great to hear, but Im not that enthusiastic about the cross compatibility between icons. Will there be the same compatibility with standards support then?" wrote Brady J. Frey, Creative Director of the design firm DotFive.com. Read the full story on Microsoft Watch: Microsoft Adopts Mozillas RSS Icon Check out eWEEK.coms for Microsoft and Windows news, views and analysis.