Internet Browsers

For most new users of the Internet, Internet Explorer is the program used to "surf the web". There are, however, many other browsers.

We'll look at the two most popular after Internet Explorer: Firefox and Opera.

Both of these browsers are generally agreed to be more secure against security breaches than Internet Explorer. That's probably true, but as stated elsewhere, they're not targeted as much as Microsoft's number one.

At various time I use all three, but for reasons peculiar to my needs, Firefox is my default. There're a lot of passionate advocates of different browsers – I believe that for most people Firefox is the best option – but if you're happy with Internet Explorer then that's fine with me.

Tabbed Browsing

This facility allows you to open extra web sites in tabbed pages within a single browser window. It's a great boon. If you are, or if you become, a regular internet user it is commonplace to want to open a link to another page while keeping the first page open. and maybe a few more as well.

If you're researching information this is invaluable. With Internet Explorer 7.0, Microsoft finally caught up with the 21st Century and introduced tabbed browsing, so if you have a high speed internet connection, and if you don't have a specific reason for sticking with IE6, download this upgrade today!.

You should upgrade Internet Explorer 6

If you don't have a high speed connection you may be best to buy a PC magazine with a cover disc - most of them include the latest browsers. Check on the cover to ensure that it includes IE7. If you don't have a DVD drive, make sure that you find a magazine which includes a CD cover disc.

If you have a phobia against buying magazines, try your local library. Whichever way you get your hands on them, computer magazines are an excellent source of learning material for computer novices and power users alike.


Tabbed browsing

With Internet Explorer 6.0 and older versions you must open more instances of the full program if you wish to have more than one page open at a time. This gobbles up RAM and it's a bit of an unnecessary nuisance.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox logo

In the last year or two this excellent browser has been gaining an increasing foothold in the "browser wars".

Firefox Pros

  1. Firefox 3's new address bar is really smart. When you start typing in the wesite address bar firefox checks all the recent sites you've fisited plus your Bookmarks (equivalent of Microsoft's Favorites) and offers suggestions as to where you wish to go.
    It's a virtual mind reader – often I only type 2 or 3 letters and the page I want is there for me to select.
  2. Faster downloading of web pages and faster program start-up because it's a much smaller program.
  3. A huge range of useful Add-on tools ranging from the indispensible Google toolbar to a Bookmarks synchroniser and many specialist tools. The variety of these Add-on's make it invaluable to many.
  4. Fast reloading of recently viewed pages using "intelligent caching".
  5. Nice interface.
  6. Not open to security attack via ActiveX controls.
  7. Handles "favicons" very well. These are the little Favorites icons which many websites provide to distinguish their site on your tabs and in your Favorites or Bookmarks. Despite the fact that Microsoft invented the blessed things, even in IE7 they tend to disappear between browser sessions.

Firefox Cons

  1. You can't move toolbars around. If you end up with a few add-ons, like the Google bar, then you have several rows of toolbars.
  2. Doesn't display some supposedly "web safe" fonts. Wingdings and Webdings.
  3. Doesn't display MS ActiveX content, so sites which include this as active content won't display as intended.

Opera

Opera logo

Until recently Opera wasn't free unless you put up with intrusive ads. Now they've joined the party. It's free and it's good. Small size, fast, and with tabbed browsing.

Unfortunately, there's no Google Toolbar available for Opers yet, so it's off my list.

The Browser War Verdict?

Horses for courses really. I like Internet Explore 7, but because of:

I therefore use Firefox most of the time.

Some people swear by Internet Explorer, and good on them. but a few changes would be necessary to convert me too.

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