Internet Explorer? Mozilla? Firefox? Whatever?

06/26/2004 04:59:10 PM · #1

I use Internet Explorer right now at home. However, I'm all but fed up with never-ending security issues. Seems like every time I turn around, I see patches from Microsoft that say something like "Terrorists are using your computer right now to take over the free world. Install this patch."

I only use I.E. for browsing. I use Outlook Express for email, and AIM for instant messaging, and I'm not likely to change either of those. But, I'm seeking an alternative for browsing the web. OK, truth be told, it will mostly be used for hanging out at DPC and in the DPC Fanatics chat room. Anyway, do any of you use Mozilla, or Mozilla Firefox? What are the distinct advantages? Can I transfer my I.E. settings (favorites, etc) directly to either of these?

Just looking for some recommendations here. I'm nearing the end of my rope. Thanks!

Edit: Oh yeah, what about my cookies? Will I have to re-enter all my passwords at every site I visit if I switch?

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:00:10.

06/26/2004 05:01:41 PM · #2

If you want something product-based that you don't mind paying for, try Opera.

06/26/2004 05:07:43 PM · #3

I use Firefox on all of my PCs. Main advantage (amongst many) is tabbed browsing. The Mozilla Setup should import all of your IE settings without any problems, though I suspect you'll need to re-enter passwords.

I'd suggest trying it out - you can always un-install it (unlike IE... )

//www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:08:38.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/26/2004 05:12:19 PM · #4

Gordon: Are you using the newest version, Firefox 0.9? What about plug-ins (flash, shockwave, etc)? Will I need to download all of them again?

Sounds like it doesn't hurt to try it out, anyway, since it uninstalls pretty cleanly if I don't like it, right?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

06/26/2004 05:13:43 PM · #5

Used IE got hijacked, couldn't get rid of it. Downloaded Mozilla as a browser then finally able to download ad-aware and spybot. Got rid of all irratating software and switched by to IE.

Mozilla is ok but since I'm so used to IE I switched back. You can always try the other browsers and get rid of it if you don't like it.

darix

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/26/2004 05:13:45 PM · #6

My favorite browser is definitely MyIE2 (www.myie2.com)

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:14:33.

06/26/2004 05:15:19 PM · #7

i use FIREFOX and it seemed to do a pretty good job of importing settings...but even if it didnt, you'd just have to enter them one final time (you won't be going back ;)

sadly, there are pages that you will find that are coded explicitly for IE (and NOT according to the W3C standards. for this i installed an extension called "IE View". it adds an option to (oddly enough) "view the current page in IE" in your context menu (right click anywhere on a webpage)

other extensions that i have found useful (there are millions of them out there) are:
Tabbrowser Extensions
Dictionary Search
AND OTHERS :)

not to mention the various THEMES
(of which Lure is my favorite)

06/26/2004 05:16:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by StevePax:

I haven't got around to upgrading to 0.9 (using 0.8 quite happily). You will need to re-install plug-ins as well (they tend to install themselves into the browser directories) As a browser, it doesn't integrate tightly in to the OS as much as IE, so it can be uninstalled without problems.

06/26/2004 05:19:15 PM · #9

A final question before I load it up - I'm on Windows XP, and my wife and I have different accounts. If I load it up on mine, she can use it on her account, right? Can we have different preferences, etc, (like our bookmarks)? Or will I have to load the whole Firefox twice - once for me and once for her?

06/26/2004 05:20:20 PM · #10

Originally posted by StevePax:

Some apps ask you if you want to install it for everyone on the computer. Choose that if asked. If you're not asked, it will be installed for everyone.

It should save options on a per-user basis.

06/26/2004 05:23:37 PM · #11

Originally posted by the-O-ster:

not to mention the various THEMES
(of which Lure is my favorite)

That page renders incorrectly in IE. Is that irony? :-)

06/26/2004 05:24:09 PM · #12

oh, and while i'm doing shameless promotions... :)

Trillian - consolidates all major IM networks under one application (and you can add all sorts of plug-ins as well such as weather, rss feeds, etc...)

06/26/2004 05:25:45 PM · #13

OK, now for this tabbed-browsing I've heard so much about. I have to ctrl+click for that? Or can I set it as a default to open links in a new tab?

06/26/2004 05:26:23 PM · #14

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by the-O-ster:
not to mention the various THEMES
(of which Lure is my favorite)

That page renders incorrectly in IE. Is that irony? :-)

ironic or sad? oh well.

06/26/2004 05:27:14 PM · #15

Originally posted by StevePax:

OK, now for this tabbed-browsing I've heard so much about. I have to ctrl+click for that? Or can I set it as a default to open links in a new tab?

I middle click on links to open them in new tabs - I think that's a default (or it can be configured that way) With a two button mouse you can ctrl+click or right click - select 'open in new tab'

Tabbed browsing is _very_ configurable, so if you don't like the way it does something, odds are strong that you can just change it to suit the way you'd like it.

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:27:49.

06/26/2004 05:27:35 PM · #16

Originally posted by StevePax:

OK, now for this tabbed-browsing I've heard so much about. I have to ctrl+click for that? Or can I set it as a default to open links in a new tab?

I tend to right-click.

Whoops - sorry Gordon, I was too slow. :-)

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:28:16.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/26/2004 05:29:31 PM · #17

Originally posted by StevePax:

OK, now for this tabbed-browsing I've heard so much about. I have to ctrl+click for that? Or can I set it as a default to open links in a new tab?

i actually prefer the Tabbrowser Extensions plug in for more customizability (is that even a word???)

this will let you specify whether you want EVERY link to open in a new tab, or just links that refer to other domains in a new tab (among many other options - if you have any questions, feel free to ask :)

Message edited by author 2004-06-26 17:31:52.

Phileine

Pentax K100D Super

06/26/2004 05:54:05 PM · #18

Since I stumbled upon the free internet browser Avant, I have never wished for anything else. It's tabbed in itself, so no more overloaded taskbars, it remembers the pages you had open when you shut down your browser, there is an very good pop-up blocker and search-bar (you can choose google if you want), and you can customise it a lot, but also just make it look like explorer. There are a lot of other niceties (forward en backward with combinations of your mousebuttons, open in a new page with middle button or wheel, etc etc). It's based on the explorer-source, so no compatibility-issues with windows.

really, try it. Everyone I showed it has switched and never wants anything else anymore.

06/26/2004 05:57:19 PM · #19

speaking of stumbling upon things...is anyone here a "stumbler"?
Stumble Upon

i havent been able to get it to work in firefox 0.9 though :( otherwise, its fantastic.

bod

06/26/2004 06:00:20 PM · #20

Using IE at this moment in time is a really bad idea:
//www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/25/virus_hits_websites/
//www.theinquirer.net/?article=16845

06/26/2004 06:09:50 PM · #21

Well, I made the switch. I downloaded Firefox 0.9 and set it as my default browser. The good thing is, if my wife and I decide not to use any of the fancy features like tabbed browsing, we really can just go on with browsing like normal, and it all functions just the same as IE. Except now we have that little Google box at the top we didn't have before - that's my wife's favorite part. Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

Also, I didn't download any extensions at all. None seemed really necessary when I looked at them. Maybe a quick survey - for you Firefox users, what extensions do you have that you find to be really useful, and why?