When browsing, I actually use both behaviors in different cases. C-<tab> and C-S-<tab> to cycle linearly, and then I use vimium shortcuts for more advanced navigation. So I survey tabs by tabbing through them, but when I'm going back and forth between two or three (citing things, for example) I use LRU-type features. Forcing people to use one or the other, regardless of which, is going to make them angry.