[HeavyStorm]

Yeah, OP is naive. Nobody ever paid for browsers, even before IE was a thing (well, nobody I know...).

We also don't pay for open TV which is ad supported.

This isn't a single decision that someone madennn it's actually very natural.

We don't pay for most of the web, not only browsers. Indirect monetization is great because making a consumer open his/her wallet takes a lot, no matter the price.

[paulryanrogers]

Netscape was sold at Babbages in my local mall. Plenty of people bought it. Just like my father bought Telix and Laplink and earlier communication software.

Not knowing anyone who admits to having done something, doesn't mean that thing never happens.