The Best Browser Alternative

For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/Vista & Mac Tip #0008


We all use a Web browser to navigate the Internet. Most of us end up using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE). The current release is Internet Explorer version 7 (IE7.0). For the most part, it is a good web browser with many useful features. Like everything Microsoft though, it does have its drawbacks. So what are the alternatives? Let’s start with a definition and look at the alternatives.
A Web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network. Text and images on a Web page can contain hyperlinks to other Web pages at the same or different website. Web browsers allow a user to quickly and easily access information provided on many Web pages at many websites by traversing these links. Web browsers format HTML information for display, so the appearance of a Web page may differ between browsers.
Other than the Internet Explorer, the most commonly used browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Netscape. Apple machines come with Apple’s Safari browser, which has recently been released in a Windows format.
Why would you want to use a different browser? Well, there are a number of criterions I look for in any software programme. As you know dear Bulldog readers, I am partial to free software. But there are other important considerations. Does this product do the job I want it to do efficiently and does it have useful features? Is it intuitive and easy to use? Another important aspect for me is speed. Does this software do the same job as others and does it load in less time? An additional important feature is security.
Most internet hacks in the past year or two have been aimed at web browsers, especially Microsoft. The reason Microsoft products are the number one target is quite simple, they are used by 95% of all the machines connected to the web. It is the numbers. If Apple had 95% share of the market, they would be the most hacked.
I have tested and used all of the browsers listed above on a regular basis. Each has benefits. Some have liabilities but they all do a good job in the primary function of a web browser, i.e., surfing the web. I recommend you try Firefox.
Firefox is an “Open Source” product. Here is a simple definition of “Open Source”:
Open source is a set of principles and practices that promote access to the design and production of goods and knowledge. The term is most commonly applied to the source code of software that is available to the general public with relaxed or non-existent intellectual property restrictions. This allows users to create software content through incremental individual effort or through collaboration.
In plain English this means that software developers are able to modify, update and make changes to the software to make it function better. Think of it as having a dedicated group of people who are constantly trying to improve the software, making it easier to use, run faster or with innovations that make in this case, web browsing easier, faster and more secure. Security problems are often ‘fixed’ in hours.
This is a significant benefit as far as I am concerned. If a browser ‘exploit’ (a means for malicious hackers and other bad folks to mess with your machine and/or software) is uncovered a ‘fix’ is usually posted in a matter of hours or days. Contrast this with Microsoft. Microsoft updates their software on average once a month. So, there are periods when everyone knows there is a problem and almost a month can go by before it is ‘fixed’. This can be especially unnerving when an ‘exploit’ poses a risk to your computer’s overall security.
I get used to using a certain product and once I have learned all the tricks and tweaks, I don’t want to switch and use another product for the most part. With my web browser, I have my favourites and other settings that I am comfortable with, familiar with and know how to use. So what to do? Should I give up Internet Explorer completely? Will I loose certain features or have complicated new settings to learn?
The answer is no. The solution is simple. I recommend you download Firefox browser and install it. You can have as many browsers as you would like. I currently have 8 browsers available to me on my machines. I test out different features and settings on a regular basis. For most people though this is too much. And too much work. Web browsing is essential and useful but it need not be overly complicated. But having a choice is always a good idea. Having two browsers is a very good idea these days.
I recommend Mozilla’s Firefox as the best browser alternative. It is faster than Internet Explorer (versions 6 and 7). The page you are trying to look at loads displays faster. This can be a boon especially if you are using dial up. It has the same features you are familiar with in Internet Explorer. In fact IE 7.0 has incorporated a number of features from Firefox most notably ‘tabbed browsing’ – a terrific feature. It allows you to open a number of pages in the same browser. You can switch between them with ease without opening new pages. You can also add Google’s tool bar, Yahoo’s tool bar with ease. Transferring your “Favorites” list is also easy.
One final benefit of the Mozilla Browser is a companion eMail programme called Thunderbird. It is a terrific eMail client and can function as a good replacement for Microsoft’s Outlook. And it is free!
So Bulldog readers, I recommend you download Firefox and try it out. I recommend you keep your Internet Explorer (especially if you use a Microsoft Operating System). Microsoft update does not work well with any other browser and getting monthly updates for Word etcetera can be difficult and confusing. For all other aspects of your web browsing surfing and regular on-line chores, Firefox is a delight.
Here is the link to download and install Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
You will also find on that same page a download link for Thunderbird, if you are looking for an eMail client. And of course, it is also free.
Let me know your experiences and how you like using Firefox. As always, Bulldog readers, if you have any questions or problems please let me know.