View Full Version : Your web browser choice
Mouzafphaerre
10-12-2007, 15:56
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Felt like posting a pointless poll and this one is at least not on the first page. ~D
There you go. Which browser(s) are you using/preferring and on what basis? I'm a Mozilla guy (SeaMonkey), for its ease of use, moddability, tabbed-browsing, security (only Nsis Media spyware somehow managed to penetrate it so far :knight:) and more reasons I can't recollect ATM. However, I'm also using its cousin Firefox to ease the load. That one is for...ehm...educational purposes. ~D
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Started using Mozilla about... 4-5 years ago or so? Switched to Firefox when that came out, so I use it and Thunderbird now.
IE wasn't too terrible around version 5 IMO, it was probably one of the better browsers at the time, but that's not saying much. I never liked Opera, though some of my friends swear by it. /shrug
Mikeus Caesar
10-12-2007, 16:12
Opera all the way. It's so unpopular that spyware that causes pop-ups doesn't work with it, plus it looks nice.
Used to use Mozilla, now onto Firefox. Still use Mozilla Composer for general html editing, but I had to move on to Firefox for browsing. AdBlock FTW!
O _ P _ E _ R _ A
though never had used mozilla/firefox . Who voted Gah?? Don't use any?:laugh4:
Opera.
I've got a copy of firefox and one of IE 7 installed as well, but never really use them, I just like the layout, security and possibilities of Opera without the need to install seperate addons for everything.
Mouzafphaerre
10-12-2007, 18:20
Used to use Mozilla, now onto Firefox. Still use Mozilla Composer for general html editing, but I had to move on to Firefox for browsing. AdBlock FTW!
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Adblock, as well as other extensions, works with SeaMonkey perfectly, FWIW. I have it installed on both SM and FF. ~:)
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I use IE because I dont jump on bandwagons. :laugh4:
Pannonian
10-12-2007, 18:50
I use IE because I dont jump on bandwagons. :laugh4:
Isn't IE the biggest browser bandwagon there has ever been?
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/viva_firefox_eats_ie.jpg
Does this mean I'm a shmoo because i use IE? :embarassed:
Everyone seen this (http://whyfirefoxisblocked.com/index1.php)?
Btw, I chose Firefox.
Everyone seen this (http://whyfirefoxisblocked.com/index1.php)?
It blocks IE as well.
Firefox = Da Bestz :beam:
It blocks IE as well.
No, he linked to the site that informs you about a block. If you get redirected to that page from another website, then your browser is probably blocked.
And I have to say they do have a point, most ads don't bother me anyway, only those really invasive ones that obstruct your page view and are hard to get rid of.
Pannonian
10-12-2007, 21:11
I get the Firefox page with Opera as well, plus a big purple block in the top right that blocks most of the text.
No, he linked to the site that informs you about a block. If you get redirected to that page from another website, then your browser is probably blocked.
And I have to say they do have a point, most ads don't bother me anyway, only those really invasive ones that obstruct your page view and are hard to get rid of.
I have to politely disagree Husar, I am strongly convinced that they have no point whatsoever. Firstly there's this:
"Accessing the content while blocking the ads, therefore would be no less than stealing. Millions of hard working people are being robbed of their time and effort by this type of software."
Then this:
"Demographics have shown that not only are FireFox users a somewhat small percentage of the internet, they actually are even smaller in terms of online spending, therefore blocking FireFox seems to have only minimal financial drawbacks"
So, millions of hard workers are being robbed of their efforts, yet demographics show that in terms of online spending firefox users are too small a userbase to matter anyway. So if this is the case, what are they worried about?
Is this a joke? :book2:
Omanes Alexandrapolites
10-12-2007, 21:26
Firefox, AdBlock +, NoScript, IE Tab and Download Status Bar.
The combination can't really be beaten, both from the usability and the security point of view. Nowadays I simply can't return to IE and, on occasions when I am forced to use it, I find some of it features rather awkward and/or underdeveloped. I did try SeaMonkey recently, thinking that it may be easier to have e-mail and browsing capabilities in one application, but found it to be a little more unfriendly to the user when compared with Firefox/Thunderbird. Its appearance also was almost a clone of one of the old Netscape browsers - call me eye-candy obsessed, but when compared with the more attractive GUIs nowadays it feels a little ugly.
Before Firefox though, I was an IE 5/IE 6 user, although this mainly was out my ignorance of anything better. Quite a few years back I tried Opera (early thousands) but I disliked the banner ads which displayed at the top of the screen, so quickly returned to IE.
Even earlier (mid to late 90s) I used Netscape. Although I was loyal to the earlier versions (v2, v3 and v4), the early versions of Netscape 6 and their crash prone nature drove me to IE (at the time v5.5).
Mouzafphaerre
10-12-2007, 21:32
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Everyone seen this (http://whyfirefoxisblocked.com/index1.php)?
:gah2: ~:angry: What insolence! ~:mad The :daisy: shamelessly say ad-blocking is theft! ~:pissed: Who the :daisy: are they to implant their ads inside my browser window anyway? :end:
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Omanes Alexandrapolites
10-12-2007, 21:36
Recently, the creator of AdBlock+ responded to the criticism addressed in the "Why Firefox is blocked website". You can find his comments here (http://adblockplus.org/blog/ads-dont-generate-money).
So, millions of hard workers are being robbed of their efforts, yet demographics show that in terms of online spending firefox users are too small a userbase to matter anyway. So if this is the case, what are they worried about?
Is this a joke? :book2:
It's probably a bit like going to an amusement park and telling the guy at the entrance that you'd like to get in for free since you're unlikely to use any of their attractions anyway. ~D
Some ads are paid for on a pay-per-view basis IIRC so if you'll never see it, the webpage owner won't get his money from the advertising company, whether you'd click it or not is irrelevant in that case.
I agree that spyware is bad, but if it just says "hello, buy my product please" somewhere on the right side instead of displaying just a white box, what's so much worse?
Mouzafphaerre
10-12-2007, 21:45
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Btw, AdBlock doesn't, by default, block professionally made decent ads such as those of Google. But you can customize it to remove anything that you're uncontent with from your sight, not necessarily ads.
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Isn't IE the biggest browser bandwagon there has ever been?
No, because 98% of the IE users does not know what a web browser is. :smash:
So, millions of hard workers are being robbed of their efforts, yet demographics show that in terms of online spending firefox users are too small a userbase to matter anyway. So if this is the case, what are they worried about?I got a kick out of that too. :laugh4:
It's probably a bit like going to an amusement park and telling the guy at the entrance that you'd like to get in for free since you're unlikely to use any of their attractions anyway. Interestingly, most amusement parks I've been to recently don't charge admission. You only pay for rides or food, ect.
Regardless, I don't waste time blocking inconspicuous ads- only the obnoxious ads are worth blocking. Also, I say that any site that wants to should be free to block Firefox. If they don't want me viewing their content, I don't want to see it either. :wink:
CountArach
10-13-2007, 06:03
Firefox for just over a month now.
Firefox with the same set up as Omanes, but I also browse from inside SongBird too, which is really convenient.
pevergreen
10-15-2007, 11:25
IE 7 all the way!
Firefox is too slow.
Plus, I have never got a virus from IE and, no pop ups ever, thanks to inbuilt pop-up-blocker.
Omanes Alexandrapolites
10-15-2007, 13:09
Firefox is too slow.Hmm, sorry to disagree pevergreen, but, for me at least, IE 7 is relatively slow compared to Firefox.
Apple recently performed some tests with their own browser, Safari. They tested its performance vs IE 7, Firefox and Opera. You can find the results here (http://www.apple.com/safari/).
Unsurprisingly Safari won overall, while Firefox was, on average second. Opera was third, while IE came marginally last.
Plus, I have never got a virus from IE...IE, although it never delivered me a virus, always provided me with spyware. This assortment mostly consisted of tracking cookies, although a few key loggers hacked in once or twice.
When I began using Firefox, the number of tracking cookies detected weekly dropped from about thirty to five. After using AdBlock +, this further dropped to one/two. Now, with NoScript installed, no cookies have turned up whatsoever.
Despite this, IE is, undoubtedly, more vulnerable to dodgy ActiveX controls and scripts. Not because it has more security holes, although it may, but because it is the most used browser. As you may expect, malware targets it for this reason. This effect is amplified, since IE gains security updates much less frequently that the majority of other browsers.
...and, no pop ups ever, thanks to inbuilt pop-up-blocker.
Firefox has a pop-up blocker which, to me, seems to be much more effective than IEs - although IE prevents most pop-ups nice and easily, a few manage to navigate around it.
Anybody tried the Safari for Windows? It's pretty fast, but bloody ugly.
TevashSzat
10-16-2007, 02:34
I myself am using an IE atm mainly because I always end up having to reformat/replace my harddrive due to various frustrating circumstances every 6-9months so I have become too lazy to get Firefox.
Banquo's Ghost
10-16-2007, 21:53
Just to provide variety (and to wind Whacker up into a spitting fury :wink:) I'll note that I use Safari (Mac OSX).
I do have Firefox installed for occasional use.
Just to provide variety (and to wind Whacker up into a spitting fury :wink:) I'll note that I use Safari (Mac OSX).
I do have Firefox installed for occasional use.
Bah, Safari is just a Konqueror knock-off. ~;p
Wow. That firefox is blocked thing's legal arguements are fundamentally laughable. That kind of logic would make it illegal to view a web page in any browser other then the one the page writer had it mind - since, lets be blunt here, adblock does not rewrite the page but instead alters the way the browser interprets the page.
Given the very nature of html, it would be an impossible case to win - and the makers of the page obviously know it, since the cited 'reference' is some law student's friggin blog. How very authoritative of them.
Even more amusing, follow a few links in that same board, and you get to....http://courseblog.cs.princeton.edu/spring05/cos491/?p=151. Title? Why A Court Would Never Strike Out At Adblock
Anybody seen a page that actually uses that thing, so I can write a fellow webslinger a very nasty email?
As for the browser, I use firefox. It's more secure then IE and less of a target. Opera is probably even less of a target, but the Firefox to Opera difference isn't even in the same ballpack as the IE - everything else gap. And it's just not worth learning another new browser when I've already got Firefox the way I want it.
Bah, Safari is just a Konqueror knock-off. ~;p
Safari leaves a lot to be desired. Banquo, have you tried Camino (http://caminobrowser.org/)? It's a touch-up of the Mozilla engine to make it a little more OS X native.
Everyone seen this (http://whyfirefoxisblocked.com/index1.php)?
Btw, I chose Firefox.
If they weren't so bloody annoying, I wouldn't mind. The only reason I use AdBlock is because of the annoying ad that was at the bottom of the Org that made buzzing sounds.
Firefox btw
Crazed Rabbit
10-17-2007, 07:01
Firefox normally, but IE 7 for when I want to view video and not unblock all the scripts and other hassles on a news site or something. Opera for covert browsing with various applications.
CR
Banquo's Ghost
10-17-2007, 07:39
Safari leaves a lot to be desired. Banquo, have you tried Camino (http://caminobrowser.org/)? It's a touch-up of the Mozilla engine to make it a little more OS X native.
I don't doubt that it wouldn't satisfy the demands of a power user. However, for me it does the job and doesn't have all those coloured buttons that other browsers seem to to have. In other words, it looks good. :beam:
I've had a look at Camino, but unless you're going to tell me Safari has major security flaws, I don't really see the advantages of changing. What does it lack?
What does it lack?
As silly as this sounds, "love". It seems urban, bare and cold in comparison to the homely Firefox.
As silly as this sounds, "love". It seems urban, bare and cold in comparison to the homely Firefox.
That's how Firefox looks in comparison to Opera IMO. Somehow Opera looks erm, smoother to me. :shrug:
I've had a look at Camino, but unless you're going to tell me Safari has major security flaws, I don't really see the advantages of changing. What does it lack?
I'm not aware of Safari having any major security holes at the moment. But when I use it, I miss my Mozilla environment. I find web pages render a little more predictably with Firefox/Camino/Mozilla than with any other browser. Also, I have an unreasonable and undying love for anything that's cross-platform. I like being able to import my preferences and bookmarks and whatnot from X to WinXP and back again.
Internet Explorer is a non-starter for me. Check out the chief architect's reasoning as to why it's so bloated (http://apcmag.com/7282/can_ies_architect_explain_why_its_so_bloated).
That highlights one of the inevitable dilemmas in IE development: tight integration with Windows which means that troubleshooting can relate to almost anything but the browser itself.
"There's benefits and there's costs to it," Wilson concedes, but he doesn't see much merit in trying to separate IE from its Windows underpinnings. "To ship an operating system that didn't have a browser in it wouldn't be sensible. It's a system service. The interesting part for us is we get to rely on the Windows system to provide capabilities for us."
And yet, despite relying on Windows to provide many capabilities, a standard download for IE7 weighs in at 15MB, compared to Firefox's comparatively slimline 6MB. What's that about?
"The big challenge for us is we don't run on just one version of Windows. We can't rely on things that are just in Windows Vista." Relying on anything in Vista might be dangerous, I want to suggest, but that might just induce my PC to crash again out of spite.
Wilson is still talking as I fume. "A lot of the things that make IE larger are really that it's delivered as a set of system services that are essentially atoms for Windows. You can use just parts of the browser. It's componentised very specifically so you can do that."
In other words, IE has to be huge and difficult to debug because it relies on system services for practically everything. If there's a quirk in the service, there will be a quirk in IE. Sounds like a horrible idea to this lemur. Gimme sandbox programming that doesn't hook into the system at the deepest possible level, please.
In other words, IE has to be huge and difficult to debug because it relies on system services for practically everything. If there's a quirk in the service, there will be a quirk in IE. Sounds like a horrible idea to this lemur. Gimme sandbox programming that doesn't hook into the system at the deepest possible level, please.
Sounded like a bunch of double-talk to me. Supposedly, being an integrated part of Windows is what makes it so great- yet the Windows integration causes it to become unwieldy and somehow even more bloated than a browser that isn't integrated? :dizzy2:
I think the real reason that it's so deeply rooted in the OS is legal rather than practical. :yes:
I use Firefox, although I can't stand it's inability to reload the tabs I had opened the last time the browser was on, as I frequently work with a lot of tabs. Grrr... bad Firefox, bad! :wall:
I love that same feature in Opera (which has proven to be one of the most important ones for me, because it's so time and nerve saving overtime), I also much appreciate it's acrobat reader-like ability to zoom in the net pages.
This has proven to be a lifesaver time and again because I'm so freaking shortsighted. I'd recommend people with large dyoptryes around here to check Opera, if only for this particular feature... the definition of user-friendliness and care for the customer!
Yet, one of the newer versions of Opera that I'm using for some reason can't open Hotmail (a mail service which I'm very accustomed to and kind of fond of because all the mails which I've exchanged with my girlfriend whom I met at the start of '07 are there, lol...), and that's why I'm stuck with Firefox. :thumbsdown:
Reading through the thread, I've noticed the Safari browser for the pc and have a question - is it able to remember which tabs you had open the last time and re-open them automatically the next time you start it up?
I use Firefox, although I can't stand it's inability to reload the tabs I had opened the last time the browser was on, as I frequently work with a lot of tabs. Grrr... bad Firefox, bad! :wall:
Go to Tools->Options and click the 'Main' tab. Under "When Firefox starts" click the drop down and select "Show my windows and tabs from last time".
I assume that's what you were looking for? It can do it, it's just not on by default.
I assume that's what you were looking for? It can do it, it's just not on by default.
Yes, that was it, thank you xiahou... I've tried looking for that in the options, but have missed it every time! Gah, indeed! :thumbsdown:
I've installed Safari and all I can say is that it most obviously runs waaay slower on my machine then either firefox or opera! But I do have an old comp, a p3-1000 with 512megs and xp. People with slow pc's should avoid this and stick with their firefox/opera/IE!
Pannonian
10-22-2007, 09:35
I love that same feature in Opera (which has proven to be one of the most important ones for me, because it's so time and nerve saving overtime), I also much appreciate it's acrobat reader-like ability to zoom in the net pages.
This has proven to be a lifesaver time and again because I'm so freaking shortsighted. I'd recommend people with large dyoptryes around here to check Opera, if only for this particular feature... the definition of user-friendliness and care for the customer!
On Firefox:
Ctrl++ Increase text size
Ctrl+- Decrease text size
Ctrl+0 Normal text size
For images, try one of the many image-zooming add-ons. I use Image Zoom. In fact, I don't think there's a single feature I want from Opera and Internet Explorer that I haven't been able to replicate on Firefox with the use of add-ons and native features, except for Opera's sheer speed. However, it's my choice to forgo that in exchange for Firefox's unrivalled versatility and customisability.
Whoa I just changed to Opera since I could get the Norwegian (nynorsk) language package (and it is NOT the firefox band wagon ~D ). However I noticed that some of the Org interface (like quotes) changed with it; now that is spooky.
On Firefox:
Ctrl++ Increase text size
Ctrl+- Decrease text size
Ctrl+0 Normal text size
I just did that with my Opera, and now I can't seem to get it back to normal. ~D
Opera doesn't have the same functionality. Instead Opera zooms the whole page using + and - and ctrl++ and ctrl+-
Blodrast
12-15-2007, 01:01
lynx ftw! ~D
woad&fangs
12-16-2007, 03:38
I was using IE but I'm going to give Opera a whirl. My impression so far is that Opera is the Mustang to IE's :turtle: . WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! So Fast!!!!!!!
Evil_Maniac From Mars
12-16-2007, 07:19
I use IE, have Firefox downloaded, and prefer Opera. :laugh4:
Mouzafphaerre
12-16-2007, 08:58
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I browse God with Seamonkey, women with Firefox and my horse with IE. :crown:
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DukeofSerbia
12-18-2007, 17:34
Every several months we have the same poll. :clown:
What I use ~;p :
Generated: Tue Dec 18 2007 17:31:33 GMT+0100 (Central Europe Standard Time)
User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.6
Build ID: 2007112718
Enabled Extensions: [66]
* Active Stop Button 1.2
* Adblock Plus 0.7.5.3
* All-in-One Sidebar 0.7.2
* Bookmark Duplicate Detector 0.6.3
* Bookmarks LinkChecker 0.6.8.4
* Button Pack 0.8.5.5
* Calculator 1.1.10
* Clone Window 0.2.8
* Closy 1.4.0
* ColorfulTabs 2.0.8
* Converter 0.7.0
* Cookie Button in the status bar 0.8.9
* Copy All Urls 0.7.1
* Ctrl Tab Preview 0.2.1
* CuteMenus - Crystal SVG 1.9.1
* Deutsches Wörterbuch 1.0.1
* dotCOMplete 1.4.2
* Download Manager Tweak 0.7.2
* Download Sort 2.5.7
* Download Statusbar 0.9.5.2
* Duplicate Tab 0.9.1
* Enhanced Bookmark Search 0.1.4.04.1
* Enhanced History Manager 0.5.8.05.1
* Exch 1.3.0
* Fasterfox 2.0.0
* FEBE 5.1.1
* FireFTP 0.97.1
* FlashGot 0.7
* Forecastfox 0.9.6
* Google Icon 1.4
* Grab and Drag 2.5.0.3
* Greasemonkey 0.7.20070607.0
* Greek Translator 0.7.1
* IDM CC 4.0
* IE Tab 1.3.3.20070528
* Image Zoom 0.3
* infoRSS 1.1.2
* Java Console 6.0
* Java Console 6.0.02
* Java Console 6.0.03
* Megaupload SX.3.2 3.2
* Menu Editor 1.2.3.3
* MinimizeToTray 0.0.1.2006102615+
* Mouse Gestures 1.5.2
* MR Tech Local Install 5.3.2.6
* PDF Download 0.9.3.2
* Platypus 0.66
* QuickNote 0.6.0.3
* RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin 1.0
* Right Encoding 0.2.2
* Screen grab! 0.93
* Session Manager 0.6.1.6
* Show Image 0.4.2
* ShowIP 0.8.05
* Super DragAndGo 0.2.6
* SwiftTabs 0.3.4
* Tab Clicking Options 0.6.8
* Tab X 2.0
* Tabbrowser Preferences 1.3.1.1
* TabScroller 0.6.3
* Talkback 2.0.0.11
* Torrent Finder Toolbar 1.2.3
* Undo Closed Tabs Button 2.0
* Unicode converter 2.098
* United States English Dictionary 2.0.0.6
* Web Developer 1.1.4
Disabled Extensions: [2]
* English 's Proverbs 1.4.1
* Firefox Universal Uploader (fireuploader) 0.3.2
Total Extensions: 68
Installed Themes: [3]
* Firefox (default)
* macfoxII 2.1.4
* Metal Lion - Vista 1.7.8
Installed Plugins: (16)
* 2007 Microsoft Office system
* Adobe Acrobat
* AOL Media Playback Plugin
* IE Tab Plug-in
* Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U3
* Microsoft Office 2003
* Microsoft® DRM
* Mozilla Default Plug-in
* QuickTime Plug-in 7.1.3
* RealJukebox NS Plugin
* RealNetworks Rhapsody Player Engine
* RealPlayer Version Plugin
* RealPlayer(tm) G2 LiveConnect-Enabled Plug-In (32-bit)
* Shockwave Flash
* Shockwave for Director
* Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library
Opera.
I've got a copy of firefox and one of IE 7 installed as well, but never really use them, I just like the layout, security and possibilities of Opera without the need to install seperate addons for everything.
Why I am not suprised. ~D
Evil_Maniac From Mars
12-21-2007, 00:34
I just installed Opera, and it has officially become my browser of choice over Firefox and IE.
Makanyane
12-21-2007, 09:27
Firefox, but might have a look at Opera too now. Gave up on IE entirely, windows kindly thought it should be upgraded can't remember which version too, but after upgrade it took twice as long to load pages and froze on about every 6th one.... might be have been something fixable but can't be bothered when Firefox is better anyway.
Kralizec
12-24-2007, 23:19
I used Firefox - until I clicked on Xiahou's link, that is. Incidentally I've also vowed never to change TV channels during commercial breaks again. I feel so terrible for having stolen precious time and effort from millions of people :embarassed:
Mouzafphaerre
12-25-2007, 10:00
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:laugh4:
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Alexander the Pretty Good
01-01-2008, 22:34
Loved the quote, Mouza. :2thumbsup:
I use Firefox with NoScript and it seems to kill just about any ad that adblock would (I would assume). I put up with IE if a page absolutely won't load in FF (which is just about never) or if I'm installing Microsoft updates and The Man needs to see I'm using the Approved Browser.
Mouzafphaerre
01-02-2008, 01:38
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Long time no see Alex! :medievalcheers:
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