Firefox vs. IE

[Karthik1019]

I just downloaded Firefox 1.0. I don't really understand all the hype about firefox. What makes it so much better than IE. I personally think I'll be sticking with IE? Sure, firefox looks kind of nice, but I think I like IE's layout better. I think it's mainly because the address bar is too close to the top of the Window. I must admit, the tabbed browsing and the full screen mode are better. But, Microsoft is probably going to put in tabs in their next version anyway. (It'd be pretty stupid of them if they didn't.) People say Firefox is faster, but as far as I can see, it really isn't. Sure, you get images on your screen faster, but not usable ones. They move around and shift position. The IE window just displays everything when its ready to be used. By the time firefox is done, the IE window is ready too. Also, something I'm just realizing now while typing this in firefox is that the cursor is very thick and covers up the llast letter. It's also flickering. This isn't happening in the IE window. So what is it that makes Firefox so far superior to IE? What are it's safety issues that I hear so much about?

[Doobie]

I like firefox because of the tabs and built in popup blocker and it is faster for me then IE.... and no activeX support.... I dont see myself going back to IE unless some option that blows my mind is added.

but i must admit i like opera better then firefox but dont use it becuase it cant seem to remember my settings... and I hate to configure it the way i like it just to find out next time i use it all reverts to default options.

[digitalfreedom64]

Only differences that I can see between IE and firefox is the tabbed browsing and it not supporting activex. Isn't any faster to me.If you like the tabbed browsing but don't wanna give up IE try this

It's an IE based browser. The only problem I have with IE is that some of the more graphic filled pages don't like to load "Page Cannot Be Displayed". Doesn't matter if i've just cleaned out my temp internet files. well anyway, when IE won't open those pages firefox will.

[Karthik1019]

if firefox doesn't support activeX controllers, how does it do stuff?

[Hi Ho]

ActiveX isn't required for most things. It was intended to be used mainly for Windows update. Like Crash, I recommend Maxthon if you like tabbed browsing. I use it an won't use anything else. It has countless features that are really useful and included with the browser. No need to download tons of plugins either. Though there are a lot of plugins available.

[shadowbreaker513]

For me firefox is 2x-3x faster than IE in loading web pages. That coupled with themes, extensions (love foxytunes), faster downloading, popupblocker, and tabs make firefox a given for me. You may want to check out the tweaks thread I posted in the tips section.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

I just like Firefox because it is less used... One of the few times I care about being in a minority, or striving to be different then the average computer user. As long as I am like that I avoid the bulk of spyware and virii and any security flaws that are found and exploited for the more popular browsers. Tabbed browsing and plugins like AdBlock are awesome as well. I really don't care what browser I use as long as it is simple and boasts what matters to me, which Firefox does. Sadly as it gains popularity, so will the number of people who make spyware and popup workarounds for firefox and not only IE, so I will probably have to make another migration. Oh well. By then I will probably have my Mac for college and can be even more care free.

[glc]

If you want something REALLY less used, try Opera. That's been my primary browser for a couple years now. Nobody cares enough about it to exploit it.

By the way, these Firefox vs. IE, ATI vs. Nvidia, and AMD vs. Intel threads are getting old, folks. SEARCH the forums before starting new ones, there are more than enough to go around already.

[digitalfreedom64]

I tried opera once, don't know what it was but I really didn't like it too much. Myself, i hardly ever migrate from browser to browser. Usually try to one that runs on the IE engine that has more bells and whistles. It's practically useless to migrate just to avoid security flaws.

[spyder003]

Yeah, give Opera a try. After seeing glc mention it for the umpteenth time, I gave it a try. I've been using it for about a month now and I like it much better than Firewhateveritscalled The only reason I used FF in the first place was the tabbed browsing. Well, that and the cutdown on malware. Opera offers tabbed browsing and I haven't been getting any spyware. Not to mention it feels much more personal and configurable. There ARE other alternatives out there.

[ghost2003]

I like the fact of how customizable it is. I dont like the default layout either but you can change almost any way you want. And they have extensions for everything. There are also speed tweaks you can make, it makes a big difference. You havent tried firefox untill you've customized it the way you want it.

[Karthik1019]

Originally Posted by glc By the way, these Firefox vs. IE, ATI vs. Nvidia, and AMD vs. Intel threads are getting old, folks. SEARCH the forums before starting new ones, there are more than enough to go around already.

Sorry, I did, but didn't find anything. I guess I just typed in the wrong stuff.... But I don't see what the big deal is with IE being so unsafe. I've only really had one problem with it (MarketScore). And that might not even have been because of IE. Oh well, I guess I'm just a safe user !

EDIT:
Oh, I just realized why nothing turned up for my search! I only searched in Internet and WWW instead of everything. Sorry.....

[digitalfreedom64]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 For me firefox is 2x-3x faster than IE in loading web pages. That coupled with themes, extensions (love foxytunes), faster downloading, popupblocker, and tabs make firefox a given for me. You may want to check out the tweaks thread I posted in the tips section.

I checked that out and did it. WOW, this is definately something worth checking out.

[Statica]

Another person with a thread on Firefox vs. IE without having used both options thoroughly. Its a matter of preference, there really isnt any need to try to go door-to-door trying to convert people either way.

[Karthik1019]

Sorry. It wasn't that so much as I just couldn't really see what the difference was and was just curious.

[digitalfreedom64]

shadowd breakers thread with that speed tweak has converted me. Apllied the tweak and did a side by side comparison. FF smoked IE loading web pages.

[HAL9000]

I still like running my AdSubtract... it was brought up in another thread that it was $30... not if you're smart about it... run the trial for a month and they keep offering you a better deal... I finally bought it for $12.95. Sure FireFox may be free, but IMHO, I have way more control with AdSubtract and pages load just as fast as FF then.

[Hi Ho]

AdHunter, which is free, comes with Maxthon and it gives you lots of control I get zero ads. No banners, no floating ads, no pop-ups, no green links, no flash ads, no nothing. It does all that without blocking things that aren't supposed to be.

[digitalfreedom64]

IE is alright and all I just like having other options.

[Nuclear Krusader]

IE works right out of the box. FlawedFox requires a bit of tweaking to get it working the way you like it and it's not really as super-secure as some believe. I use it only to visit sites that display lots of pop-ups, as it comes with its own blocker, but IE is my main browser. Been using IE since version 3.0 and never had a reason to drop it. Easy to use and fast enough.

[glc]

Heh - I *stopped* using IE after version 3.0 - not that I used 3.0 much either, I was a long time Netscape user till 4.7x became obsolete. Netscape 1.0 was my first browser.

[digitalfreedom64]

Firefox works fine on install and to me faster than InternetExploit. Only time i use IE is for windows updates. Have too much trouble with IE, half the time it way "Page Cannot be display" ddoes't matter if my temp internet files are fresh cleaned out or not. Besides I don't go by the claims that FF is "super-secure". There's no such thing as a super secure browser, they all eventually become plagued with problems. I don't use IE because for me it's totally useless.

[Propain]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader IE works right out of the box. FlawedFox requires a bit of tweaking to get it working the way you like it and it's not really as super-secure as some believe. I use it only to visit sites that display lots of pop-ups, as it comes with its own blocker, but IE is my main browser. Been using IE since version 3.0 and never had a reason to drop it. Easy to use and fast enough.

FlawedFox? in what way?

[jeffr]

I prefer Firefox over IE. I've used Maxthon, BUT, for some reason I still favor Firefox. Firefox to me is just a smooth, easy to use browser.

[ric449]

Interesting link for you guys:

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/20...0211029114.htm

[digitalfreedom64]

I kida think like the ones that thinks that firefox will have to get a bit more popular before we see any major exploits. Virus and spyware writers usually aren't happy unless they're making a lot of people's lives misserable. Lets face it 10% isn't enough to get that thrill. I think all virus and spyware writers should be thron in jail, they're a menace.

[glc]

I kida think like the ones that thinks that firefox will have to get a bit more popular before we see any major exploits.

Nope. Exploits have started, there have been some news items on this recently.

[digitalfreedom64]

Looks like i need to leave the predictions to the pros. Got one question, wouldn't an exploit of firefox work on just about any mozilla base browser? Well anyway just goes to show what i said about any browser being exploitable. All of these people yelling FF will eventually get exploited ( not to be rude) but i'm thinking DUUUUH, It all eventually gets exploited. Sometimes I think a lot of people are afraid of change.

[Karthik1019]

So, I've been using mainly firefox when AOL isn't open for about a day now. I made the suggested "tweaks" to it and customized it to do stuff/look the way I want. It's still somewhat disheartening that all sites don't turn out the way they should. (Even PCMech, scroll up and look at the menu next to the logo...) But there is something that i don't really like that I can't find a way to change. If they give me tabbed browsing, I want to use it, but whenever I click a link to a completely different site (like that one to the article above), the browser opens it in a new window. I want it in a tab without having to right click and choose it... How do I set this up?

[digitalfreedom64]

As far as I know the only way is to right click, i'm still learning though, someone else may know. But as far as I know you can't find a tabbed browser that doesn't require rightclicking. Really haven't noticed the menu thing til you mentioned it.