Which internet browser should I use?

[MMcCarthy]

I have been using IE for some years and am currently using IE7.

Due to recent threads regarding security issues and a number of scripting bugs I thought I should ask the question.

Which browser should I be using?

Mary

[Ganon11]

Well, I use Firefox2. Firefox used to be the most secure browser due to obscurity (i.e. no one knew about it, so no one could hack it). This has not been the case for a while, however, since more and more people have become aware of Firefox's existence. I continue to use it, though, because I am comfortable with it and do not see a better alternative.

For comfortability, I'd suggest Firefox, but I can't suggest anything on the basis of security.

[AricC]

I have IE 6 and Opera they seem to render pages the fastest.

[Banfa]

I use Firefox, for some reason I appear to be using 1.0.7 but I think that is just that I haven't got round to updating to the latest version recently.

I started using Firefox for the convience of Tabbed browsing. Also I believe it is more secure than IE, not for the reason that Ganon11 gives but because the Mozila Foundation who produce it have a better attitude towards security than MS. That is they are more dilligent in attempting to make he browser secure and when issues are found are speedier at plugging the holes.

A also believe it has a smaller foot-print on the computer than IE (although I have not checked this recently), i.e. uses less resources for the same job.

At various times I have tried Netscape (versions 4.x and 6.x), Opera (versions 6 and 7) Firefox, Lynx (although only ever in the interests of checking web site sin text browsers), IE (versions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) and Mozlia.

Because I develop some websites I find the DOM browser facility of Firefox extremely useful and IMO an web author who develops without using this facility of Firefox is giving themselves a severe handicap. Opera also has some extremely use development features.

The reason I settle on Firefox for browsing is a lot to do with tabbed browsing, supported by Opera, Netscape and Firefox when I made the choice and then finally due to the look and feel. Firefox used the least amount of screen space for menus and tool bars at the time and lets face it when you are browsing you want maximum space for the page you are viewing.


My computer computer has just downloaded IE 7 and I did run it briefly, it has tabbed browsing and has reduced the amount of screen space used by the menus and tool bars. Perhaps if IE had this 2 - 3 years ago I would still be using it but for me it is too little too late.

[MMcCarthy]

Thanks Guys

I think I'll try out Firefox for a while.

Mary

[drhowarddrfine]

Firefox is good, especially for the web developer because of the tools available. Extensions also 'extend' the use of the browser in a multitude of ways. Opera, too, is a good browser so one should just decide which they like better but the extensions for FF are a real winner.

IE of any version is old, buggy and non-standard. IE7 is nine years behind web standards. Because it is part of the OS, it is a security nightmare giving virus writers direct access to your files. Other browser are standalone apps which won't let this happen.

Within two weeks of release, 3 serious vulnerabilities for IE7 already developed. While other browsers are developing CSS3 support, IE struggles to do CSS1. It does not handle DOM standards from 1998. IT can't do SVG. IE6 can't do png image transperency.

Microsoft has not mentioned any method or schedule for updating IE. Firefox and Opera are updated on a continual basis. Firefox and Opera are very up to date with web standards.

[MMcCarthy]

Thanks doc

I've just downloaded Firefox and so far so good.

I appreciate all the advice and will let you all know how I get on.

Mary

[nico5038]

I use IE7, Netscape and Firefox.
As I have multiple email accounts, I've set the startpage of these browsers differently and thus the browser steers the mail I see :-)

Nic;o)

[missinglinq]

I've used Netscape since the early 90's. Every so often I'll try the "hottest" thing, for about 24 hours, and then go old faithful. In all that time, the only virusus I've ever picked up involved house guests going online without asking and using IE for extended periods! The only reason I keep it on my machine is that once in a blue moon I'll need to go to a site that only works under IE.

[sashi]

I have IE 6 and Opera they seem to render pages the fastest.

I agree with Aric, i am currently using IE 6 at the moment and i feel page rendering is faster compared to Netscape. Good luck & Take care.

[NeoPa]

Hello Mary,

I use IE6 and I'm pretty happy with it.
When I tried to use Firefox a year or so back I found that my main web site (for my gaming clan) didn't work properly, so I switched back to IE.
I don't see the fact that there are more hacks for IE than any other as indicating it is less well protected. I know that most of the effort is targeted at IE because it's MS and has by far the largest user base. The ratio's changing as the marketplace becomes more mature, but there are more poor web designers who build pages that only work under IE than there are poor web designers who build pages that only work under other browsers.
I would not recommend IE (nor recommend against it), that's just the reason I use it.

-Ade.

[PEB]

In my work i'm using FireFox. it is faster... some Internet applications work better on it /the Javascript is better adapted/ But there is also applications that need only IE. For exemple aspages. They can't be open by Mozzilla.

So if u use asp u need IE

If u don't need IE for something special you will surf easily and better on FireFox.. There is also more facilities.. /or exemple multi tabs with different pages on them till IE should be open multi time/

Better to heve both.. By default FireFox and if need appears IE!

[MMcCarthy]

Better to heve both.. By default FireFox and if need appears IE!

I think that will work for me. I won't be getting rid of IE but I think Firefox may be the better default application for general browsing. I only loaded it this after noon and I've noticed an improvement on overall preformance. The scipting bugs that were irritating me are gone.

Mary

[drhowarddrfine]

Paul Thurott says "IE is a cancer on the web"
PC Magazine gives Firefox browser of the year award.
CNET magazine recommends "Do not use IE7 for every day browsing"
Kevin Mitnick says "Avoid IE at all costs"
Microsoft says "We apologize that IE7 does not meet current standards"

The last two I am paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to get the links.

I know that most of the effort is targeted at IE because it's MS and has by far the largest user base.

Not necessarily true. IE is easier to attack because it is part of the OS, thus making access to files and programs easier. No other browser has direct access, thus making attacks more difficult to come by.

[MMcCarthy]

Paul Thurott says "IE is a cancer on the web"
PC Magazine gives Firefox browser of the year award.
CNET magazine recommends "Do not use IE7 for every day browsing"
Kevin Mitnick says "Avoid IE at all costs"
Microsoft says "We apologize that IE7 does not meet current standards"

The last two I am paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to get the links.
Not necessarily true. IE is easier to attack because it is part of the OS, thus making access to files and programs easier. No other browser has direct access, thus making attacks more difficult to come by.

All I know is I was already having scripting problems with IE6 and they got worse with IE7. I'm sure they were being created by my firewall but I wasn't going to decrease my firewall settings because I cannot afford any secutity breaches.

Mary