Browser Wars

What is a web browser?
My understanding of a web browser is it is a search engine that we use to locate information. Browsers somehow do the in depth searching for us & provide us with possible answers to our inquiries.

List the most popular 4 web browsers currently?
I am familiar with the World Wide Web, Google, Microsoft search and AOL search. Today I read about Mozilla, Cello, Arena, Lynx, Mosaic and Netscape.

According to statistics for the month of April 2010 Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer are the most popular browsers.


What does the term 'browser war' mean and what drives the competition between web browsers? What is the big deal in having the #1 browser?
My understanding of "browser war" is the competition between companies to provide more services, better services, more efficient services to the customer. As technology grows so does the consumer demand to have more reliable, fast & efficient technology. We are in a world of hurry, get it done now & it better be right. Therefore, computer companies are striving for excellence & that keeps the competition growing. As in life, being #1 IS the ultimate achievment. To have world wide recognition of being the #1 browser service in the world would be to achieve greatness.