What browser?
 

Simple question.....what browser is best, Firefox or Internet Explorer? I've always used IE but am currently here in the States and using my lady's Firefox which seems marginally quicker and has a choice of seach engines. So what are the pros and cons of each one? If Firefox is better, which seems the case at first glance, why aint everyone using it?

Re: What browser?
 

Oh Dear.....

Here we go again.....

:afire:

Re: What browser?
 

You just know this is going to get nasty ;)

I think this is a subject, if you do a search through the forum, will be influenced by people's attitude towards Microsoft (on the most part).

Me? I like firefox, but that's just my preference.

Re: What browser?
 

TBH, there's a million and one threads about this (not that I've ever been one to discuss active discussion around a topic), you might be better having a look through the search listings and seeing what you can find.

This thread's gonna deteriorate fast (and probably sound a lot like the other threads on the subject to boot!!).

Re: What browser?
 

Before everybody else adds the 2p worth I thought I would get in!

It is probably an intertia thing - IE is bundled with Windows and the vast majority of users cannot be bothered to download anything else.

It is also a preference thing - some people complain that Firefox is not like other Microsoft programmes so they prefer IE. Others prefer Firefox for the same reason!

Personally, I use Mozilla Suite which is a full package version of Firefox with email, newgroups and HTML composer because I prefer that.

Re: What browser?
 

I use firefox and IE.

The choice - as they say - is up to you :)

Re: What browser?
 

I use IE. Does the job and what I need of being able to browse the web with it, so why bother fixing something that ain't broke? ;)

The whole thing about spyware etc is over-egged IMO - only click happy users, people who install everything under the sun (e.g. smiley central *spits*) and people who don't tie down their IE settings get such problems.

Far as I'm concerned, each to their own and all that.

Re: What browser?
 

yip I am a firefox convert, but as everyone else says there is too many threads here in this forum about the same question you asked, I thnk you should search and test on your own to see which one you like best, as it will be what YOU like.

ik

Re: What browser?
 

I prefer FireFox... It has more features, and performs better against spyware and popups... It also has much better CSS support.

I use it, and when it trips up I use IE as a last resort.

Re: What browser?
 

Get nasty? Have I touched on a nerve here or said something I shouldn't? I just wanted an opinion really. I'm getting to grips with computing now, whilst far from being an expert. I had no idea this had been discussed elsewhere, then again, no sarcasm whatsoever intended here, others may have the time and inclination to browse the forum to find previous threads on this, I don't.

So if its old ground, please could you redirect me to the threads where I can get more info, after all, if you really have run through all this before, you're right, there's little point in discussing it all again.

It was more the pros and cons I was after, especially the security aspect. The Firefox main start page seems to imply IE has security issues, then again, it's in their commercial interests to say that possibly. I have no idea if its true or not, like I said, I'm getting to grips with computing but am far from an expert.

Re: What browser?
 

Neither they're both crap lol, go for opera... much better than both comnined...

Re: What browser?
 

This is the sort of comment that usually kicks off the argument in these types of threads, I find ...

*ducks*

*cue flamewar of browser X is crap change to browser Z*

Re: What browser?
 

Not heard of that one to be honest...am looking more closely at Firefox and it seems I have to install Quicktime, Real Player etc, Flash player, even if I already have them on IE...is this the case? Other than that, Firefox looks pretty much the biz at first glance.

Re: What browser?
 

AlanYork, try both. If you like Firefox, use it. It's a matter of personal choice really. Pretty much any browser you can think of will have some advantage over IE (more secure, faster, better standards support), but you will still need IE for some sites.

Try firefox. If you like it, you can use it. If you don't, what have you lost? A little bit of time.

I personally prefer Opera..

Re: What browser?
 

Sorry, I wasn't having a pop at you, I just meant that the I.E. v Firefox threads tend to turn nasty between the two warring parties. :)

Do a search microsoft fanboys*, ;) as I'm sure that phrase was used in a couple of threads. ;)

* I'm not having a pop, just that phrase could lead him to the nasty threads. :)

Re: What browser?
 

Yes I'm sure I did a few times. :D

Re: What browser?
 

Sorry Alan, didn't mean to be flippant about it :(

The thing is that there are some fairly strong opinions here and these sorts of threads rapidly turn from a "pro's and con's" debate into slanging matches :D

The advice given above regarding trying both and then making your decision is fairly sound.

IE can be a safe browser if (as already mentioned) you take the appropriate precautions, and are a little careful about what you download and what sites you visit.

I only made my mind up for certain after I had trialled Firefox for a while.

My IE was nicely secured and I never had any problems with it so that wasn't a contributing factor. In the end though I went for Firefox because I liked the interface, I like the tabbed browsing feature, and I like the whole look and feel of the product.

Sorry about my earlier comments, hopefully this is more useful to you?

Re: What browser?
 

Gets out swords and nuclear wepons.
Fires them at Internet Explorer.

www.getfirefox.com


I think Firefox is the one for me.

Re: What browser?
 

Deja-vu :D

Re: What browser?
 

LOL, if only Bifta hadn't left! I can imagine his reaction to another browser thread

Re: What browser?
 

Alan York:
why don't you download firefox and keep IE, cause you may need it for some site.
Opera is is a good browser too, and you can make it kid on it is IE for some sites that only let IE in.

but I would suggest doing a search for browsers, and give yourself a month playing with them, you will then have a better understanding yourself of which browser you like, try as many as you can.
http://webtips.dan.info/brand-x/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_I..._Web/Browsers/
http://browsers.evolt.org/
http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/de...sers_list.php3

I love Firefox, and I installed it on my linux partition as well.

I love it cause I can have as many or little themes and/or extensions as I like, and it is fully configurable, e.g. you have control over the code to change certain things if you like.

but IE7 is coming out soon, and it should be a bit more like firefox, I heard they may have tabbed browsing, and that they may render the way other browsers do, i.e. the w3c way.

good luck in your choice.

ik

Re: What browser?
 

IE7 looks like it'll be a pile of crap:
http://slashdot.org/articles/05/03/1...tid=95&tid=113
:( :( :upyours:

Re: What browser?
 

oh well i knew it would be too good to be true.

ik

Re: What browser?
 

Bah, screw 'em all... why not use Lynx? :D

Just kidding, FF is good (I'm a big advocate of open source) so give it a try and see if it suits you.

Re: What browser?
 

I switched to FF when I had problems with drag & drop in IE. Very happy with it :)

You need to keep IE updated for:

• Sites that won't work with FF (eg MSN GameZone)
• Windows Update

If IE7 has tabbed browsing and live bookmarks then I might switch back though. I've no particular complaint with IE or FF; I think both browsers are great and since I need to keep IE anyway ...

Re: What browser?
 

I use Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer, that's not because I am greedy but there are bits I like on each one of the browsers. I like Firefox because it is quick and nifty and shows you where the downloads actually go. I like Opera becasue it has a real download tab and its useful to pause them and restart, etc., I like IE although I find it cumbersome to drive around the net at times.

Try one see how you go they are all as good except Firefox seems to have its finger on the pulse when it comes to security as does opera. Downside to opera, you have to pay for it now.

Sian