Topic: Browser Wars!

[Zeus]

In the past I've used IE because "it worked", but lately due to all the virus activity, I've switched to FireFox.  It blocks pop-ups, it's small, and it's free.  Does unsecure software scare you, or have you become numb to all the holes in MS software?  Just thought I'd start a thread/poll and get some input.  Everybody uses a browser of some sort . . . at least if you read this forum.

PS. You're allowed two votes each, because most people use more than one browser.  Please specify in this thread if you do.

Any/all feedback welcome here.

[LobbDogg]

I pretty much only use Opera now.  The only time I use IE is when I need to use Active X controls on the net such as windows update.  Opera is a phenomenal browser that is skinable, utilizes mouse gestures, and has the extra side toolbar with even more options.  As well it incorporates a built in pop up blocker as well.  Not to mention tabbed browsing.  I've tried Firefox in the past but I found myself still going back to IE, but now I have found Opera to be my favorite.

[Mr. Analyst]

I am sticking with IE 6.0 as we have used it for at least the past few years now. I have tried Netscape but I am not sure about it anymore. And unless you have money to pay for Opera or some of the other browsers, all you get is frustrating advertising. I tried Pegasus Mail as well - that is about as good as some of the other applications for e-mail. But I use Outlook for all my e-mail and I let my wife use Outlook Express.

[Seeker]

I have used IE 6.0 and got tired of the crap with it.. Some ppl told me to try mozilla firefox and thats what i will use from now on..  its easy to use, simple layouts, and i havent had any pop ups ,under or anything that ticks me off yet lol
Im converted now, no looking back

[Mr. Analyst]

What keeps me using IE is that most of the sites I check out from time to time require IE or you risk not being able to see everything properly. We had not had the issues others might have had with IE yet. And I recently was able to get help from Microsoft Support to correct an issue with SP-2 where I was trying to access offline courses and always got a security issue warning because of the Active X files that I was using. I did find a bit of a security issue when I tried downloading a trial for WordPerfect, but since I am getting certified in Office XP, I figure I will stick with Office XP for some itme to come.

[Zeus]

It's too  bad that sites are coded poorly enough that only real broswers can read the contect properly.  The funny thing is that Nicao had to work like a fool to get this site to display properly in IE.  It worked great in Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera, but IE kept displaying items and code that wasn't even there.

IE is a valid choice for a browser, but not a secure choice.

[Mr. Analyst]

That's why I make sure I use a good anti-virus and a firewall. I was using Norton before but switched to McAfee. I just had nothing but problems with Norton ever since we upgraded to Win XP. I realize that not everyone is a big fan of IE, but its the only browser I would use now. I have tried Netscape but it isn't the same. You can have a couple browsers on your OS if you want, but for me my money is on IE. I am still concerned about security but I try not to lose sleep over it. And if someone wants to know our information bad enough, nothing we do will stop them. Even if we are always looking over our shoulder! SO we just do what we need to and don't worry about the specifics. I like to think that we're as well-protected as we need to be but if we aren't we aren't in any position to go overboard on heavy duty protection at this point!

[Zeus]

Interesting that you like security, yet you choose to use a program that is full of security holes.  Such as when you look at a picture on the web - you could be getting hacked.  I guess the choice is pretty clear, Security (with a nice tight browser like FireFox), or a bloated browser (with IE).

[Fujitsu]

firefox isn't perfect either, every browser has its problems

[Zeus]

That's true Fujitsu.  I guess what I'm saying is that people need to be open to alternatives.  Linux, Windows, OfficeXP, OpenOffice, Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera, and Mozilla are all choices.  However, it is unfair to rule out one broswer because you tried it once and didn't like it then.  I still use both IE and FireFox every day.  However, FireFox 1.0 Preview has fixes tonnes of issues, and is a far better choice than FireFox 0.94 ever was.

I'm dumping on IE, not because I don't use it and hate it, but because I use it and see that it is a sponge for virus' and scripts.

[Fujitsu]

definately, there are alot of alternatives in the browser world that if most people tried they would never go back

unfortunately, since IE is pretty much built into windows, 90% of people use it and get so used to it that is hard to switch. Also because majority of people us it, majority of virus' are targeting it

[Seeker]

I think that for the most of us just want to get onto the "www" and need a disk that installs everything in one shot. Some bigger  shots have done this for a reason and winning at it.  I think that these  "others" need a little time to get out in the world and stop this one sided street.  Everything will have bugs and problems thats life, some things are patched up for now, but will get hacked apart thats what humans do. If its not broke see what we can do to break it, then fix it.  Isnt that the way the mircosoft guy did?? Hack into system and find the problems  in exchange for computer time?? Look at him today..   Just think if it wasnt for windoze (lol) where would we be for OS's ??.  I'm using mozilla firefox now and like it till it gets hacked to pieces,  then onto another one......

[Mr. Analyst]

Considering how little time some of us have for trying out browsers, I think IE does the best job we can expect from it. I have tried Netscape and it is really a pain to work with. You end up with more headache than help there. In fact, Netscape reminds me of the small browser that comes for users of MSN or Hotmail. But at least I find it easier to navigate around those programs and as long as I have a good firewall and antivirus program, that's the best we can do. WE don't have millions of dollars to put up a hardware firewall (some cost $6000 US) so we do the best we can with our limitations. I think from my experience, you can find loopholes in any browser if you wanted to. Just like we have loopholes in our tax system that still allow big companies to avoid paying taxes. And the nice thing now is that if there is an issue with IE, you can let Microsoft know, and they listen better than Symantec or some of these other browsers. And unfortuately, we would be using the free versions of browsers like Opera only to get frustrated with junk ads since we would not be able to pay for the paid version. Those paid versions might be nice in the long run, but who can afford to continually pay for it? I am not the only one who does their best with what is out there in IE - I don't see my family jumping to add any other browsers to their computers anytime soon.

[Zeus]

First of all, FireFox is free and has no ads.  Second hardware firewalls for $6000 USD is ludicris, when you can pick up a Wireless "G"  Router with Firewall for $70CDN.

[Mr. Analyst]

FireFox must be new. Is it fairly easy to configure? Who makes FireFox? In terms of script errors, would FireFox be better than IE with that? I will check into it then. I am not a big fan of Netscape or other similar browsers, but if FireFox is as good as you suggest, maybe we should look into it. Having said this no browser is completely flawless, but it helps to know which browsers are out there and which ones are better in terms of safety issues. As far as routers go, we likely don't need anything there right now unless we have a second computer.