A comparison of FireFox, Opera and IE.

[KKnD]

For those wanting a brief look into the differences, pro's & con's of the different major players in the browser market, here's a good guide to check out if you're interested.

Personally I've found FireFox to be fast, efficient and a good alternative to Internet Explorer (hopefully you'll join the club

http://blaze.ausgamers.com/u2/softwa...lnews.php?id=2

[doctorgonzo]

It's a pretty big oversight to give Firefox only one star for features and not mention any of the available extensions that can do pretty much whatever you want.

[KKnD]

doctorgonzo, if you're willing to provide some insight and some brief written statements about the available extensions of FireFox i'd be more than happy to include them and give credit to the author. As I mentioned, it's just a brief overview for beginners, I'm open to improvement on any level

[Statica]

Hi KKnD:

There are a NUMBER of features that you've missed in the article, which might perhaps account for the low rating on features. Here are some of them, it is not meant as an explanation of features or to expound the virtues of features not already present in extensions, but as a start-up to firefox' features... mind, you just talking about the features takes up a lot of space; talking security is an entirely different matter..

Here's some of my observations on FireFox's features list:

While FireFox is first and foremost designed for the ultimate in no-frills browsing (heck FireFox can even be configured to run as a text only browser by disabling images of any kind - this is an asset as we shall come to), what makes it extremely powerful is also something that makes it nimble - IT IS MODULAR. The traditional browser (in the year 2004 it happens to be Internet Explorer) relies on top heavy code to control everything from navigation, to mouse options to the UI. Like most everything open source FireFox relies on giving you the basic interface and options to start you on the internet, allowing you to "add on" features that you want.
The basic interface's options consists of pure utilitarian features - cookie control, standard download manager control, cache, history, password management. Java, Image and file type handling is also included. However, Firefox's features seem more attuned to helping the common surfer deal with annoyances. Take the ADVANCED settings on JavaScript for example: It allows you to actually go to websites without having your window size irritatingly changed, being able to see the URL link by disabling that annoying status bar message or your menu's disappear and much more. Even image handling is designed to help the user maximize the internet viewing pleasure. Not only can you prevent ALL images from loading, but you can be selective about which sites to block images from, or prevent other sites from feeding images. (HINT: Remember that most ad images are loaded from a site that isnt the one you started off with; for example, while you may have visitted www.news_site.com the ads on that page might be loading from www.adverts_inc.com).
It's the little things that make it what it is, go to a site that feeds you annoying image animations, and right click on any image; you can now block all images from that site...
The download manager is another great feature, allowing you to be nagged as much or as little as you want when downloading files; you can either pre-set a download folder or ask your browser to nag you with a question.While other browser relied on 3rd party software for accomplishing download manager tasks, Firefox is capable of providing the user with a basic one.
So we've heard of the JAVA console on other browser, but try using the JS console, it gives you an idea of the half baked code that is fed into your browser. Also giving you an idea of what exactly went wrong. Messages are precise yet verbose enough to make sense of the error. (Forget the "missing ) in line 42 errors).
There is a feature for everything imaginable; take a look at FireFox's keyboard and mouse shortcuts; it helps the user spend less time talking to the browser and more time having the browser talk to the net. http://texturizer.net/firefox/keyboard.html for keyboard shortcuts http://texturizer.net/firefox/mouse.html for mouse.
There are more tips and tricks documented by firefox than you can shake a stick at: http://texturizer.net/firefox/tips.html

Remember when I tried to explain the modular nature of FireFox; well here's where the fun begins. FireFox actually borne of a community that spends time using a browser, has provided features that you can use as you like it. For example, the UI itself is completely configurable with 2 clicks of the mouse. Unlike previous browsers that required 3rd party software and often code hacking to change the interface, Firefox features themes that can be downloaded and installed. Check out: http://update.mozilla.org/themes/?application=firefox
For users who want more features than the average person does, FireFox has introduced a feature known as Extensions. Rather than shoving the new behavior across the board to every user out there, it allows personalization of the browser's features .. everything from Image Zoom (yeah we've heard of browsers shrinking images to fit on screen, how about Zoom?) to installing a full blown interface with external download managers; from an IRC client to Developer tools can be downloaded and installed from http://update.mozilla.org/extensions...cation=firefox

[KKnD]

Nice stuff man, is that written by you? Do you mind if it is used on the site with credit given to yourself? A sort of "alternate view" for the consumer?

If so, please let me know and I'll add it, or you can edit and submit it to me at jmat0316@bigpond.net.au

While I didn't write that article on the site (but wrote others) i can add your comments and obersvations without a worry.

Let me know

[Hi Ho]

Why didn't they include MIE2? I'd say it's much better than the others. It also must be doing something different than IE because I don't even get cookies in Spybot and Adaware anymore. I don't see why it is so unpopular.