Misconceptions of using another browser

[HARLEY]

Judging by how heated threads get that dare compare any browser to Internet Explorer,not only on this board but every forum I visit!

I thought we could discuss the pros and cons and why users are so reluctant to change!


1st-Do I have to uninstall IE to use any other browser?
No,you can use as many browsers as you want,even at the same time with no conflict!

Why do I need another browser?
Why not...if only for the purpose of testing a site or having a backup?

I've heard it's hard to get Firefox to work!
No it works right out of the box,just like any other program!

Why are all the extensions and themes needed?
They're not needed...but add personal needs and looks!

Some like these Security extensions (http://forum.worldstart.com/showthread.php?t=85475) are suggested to make Firefox more secure!

What's the difference between these browsers?
Gecko browsers [Firefox,opera,k-meleon] use javascript and IE uses active x and scripting which is inherently more insecure and vulnerable to outside attacks!

Why should I change from IE?
With the amount of unpatched vulnerabilities ,this browser is an easy target for hackers and script kiddies to invade!

There are more zombie machines out there right now than in any previous time in the history of the internet !

Bots,trojans ,hijackers,bhos and spyware can all be downloaded in the background without the user even knowing it!

The whole idea of using a more secure browser is to make the internet a safer and more enjoyable place to visit,without having to worry about what sites do and what is happening in the background!


Anyone with anything to add...feel free..and if any new users have any questions,please ask! :)

[HARLEY]

Bump...:)

[Dizzy313]

Good idea, Harley. I hope this thread works out. I've seen many heated........oh heck, they aren't discussions, they are fights. lol I've found that a lot of people (not all people) take this very personally when it doesn't need to be. You can say "IE has many vulnerabilities" and people take that as a slam rather than fact and get very defensive. I call this "marrying your software" ('cause I'm mental like that).

Recently I've seen posters saying that IE isn't dangerous, it's the user. Personally, I would like to hear from anyone that feels this way and find out why they believe this.

On the other hand, I've also seen FireFox users get downright testy when someone doesn't like that browser or likes another one better. lol :D

[randiroo76073]

Well said Harley!, let the tournement beguin. :) Take for instance the latest vulnerability, no big deal, says Microsoft, we'll get it patched in our own sweet time! 2 third party patches have already hit the net, just about every security co. around the world is saying this is a major vulnerability & has the possibility to wreck major havoc, but what does Microsoft say, it's no big deal! Of course, it's not their computer that they're taking a chance with.

[amb141]

There really isn't much TO add. Nobody is going to call you names if you (for whatever reason) like IE. To some degree, IE's dominance in browser market share is "bad for" the internet in general because IE makes its own rules that web designers are compelled to follow -- but blaming users for this is a little like blaming the victim. And you can make IE more or less secure from most practical threats (although, frankly, that takes more hoop-jumping than tweaking Firefox does.) But most people who have used Firefox and/or Opera find them faster, more intuitive, and easier to configure than IE. And inherently safer out of the box.

Pretty simple really.

alan

[HARLEY]

bump.......... :eek:

[HARLEY]

88 views and 3 comments...:(

that's pretty typical for the members here who never contribute or partake....just lurk!

Hope your enjoying the show..........:mad:

[Elwood]

I just hope everyone will try an alternative browser and attempt to learn how to use it. I think they'll be glad they did if they do.

Please feel free to ask any questions you need help with here.

[stringbean]

What about the favourites in IE are they easy to transfer to Firefox?

[Elwood]

Firefox should import your favorites automatically when you install it unless you have a pre-existing Firefox profile from a prior Firefox installation.

Import bookmarks - MozillaZine Knowledge Base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_bookmarks#From_Internet_Explorer)

If you've ever had a prior version of Firefox installed, you should uninstall it and delete the folder which houses your profile folder before installing the new version of Firefox. There were major changes between the 1.0.x series and 1.5+, so it's best not to use a profile leftover from 1.0.x with 1.5+.

Windows XP: Show Hidden Program or System Files (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/hiddenfiles.mspx)

Locate your profile folder (http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/profile#locate)

Profile Folder - MozillaZine Knowledge Base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder#Firefox)

How to perform a clean installation (http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=341279#clean)

[stringbean]

I feel so stupid! I was getting Internet Explorer mixed up with Outlook Express. One more question about Firefox. I have shortcuts on my desk top (IE) and am wondering what will happen to these if I change. Will I still be able to use them. :o

[Elwood]

If you don't make Firefox default browser, the shortcuts to web sites will open in IE, if you make Firefox default, the shortcuts will open in Firefox (email links too).

You'll be prompted the first time you use Firefox and it will ask if you want to make it default, answer no and put a checkmark in "don't ask again" (or similar) and if and when you get ready to make Firefox default, you can do so through tools menu > options > general or by using XP's "program access and defaults" settings.

[doldgeek]

I keep a badseball bat handy to use on anyone who comes in and starts surffing the web using IE.
In my opion using IE Is like sleeping with a dog that has flees - You are bound to get a few.

And an nudder ting the way MS has the "peminate OS on PC' set up now if your PC goes down 'Bill de Billionire' can sell you a new copy of XP so why fix it/ patch IE?

[Bazcaz]

So, what`s wrong with a good scratch now and then. :rolleyes:

[stringbean]

[QUOTE=doldgeek]I keep a badseball bat handy to use on anyone who comes in and starts surffing the web using IE.
In my opion using IE Is like sleeping with a dog that has flees - You are bound to get a few.

:) :)

[bassethoundplace]

Is there a way to use Outlook Express with Firefox? I'm trying to use Outlook Express with my gmail account while still keepihg Incredimail as my default email for Hotmail. I refuse to let Outlook Express become the default since all it does is have errors and errors and more errors. I can't send or receive anything from outlook at all!! Can someone please tell me if I'm attempting the impossible.
Billy Greene

My most recemt C drive wipe was due to using Web Shots in IE 7 beta. My laptop was taking 20 minutes to start Windows XP. I'm getting good at starting over. My recovery CD from Toshiba installs Windows 98 and then XP SP1. Borrowed a CD of SP2 from a friend and made copy for the next C wipe. I'm ready to do it again after I print out my addresses..

[Elwood]

Integrating Firefox and Outlook Express - MozillaZine Knowledge Base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Integrating_Firefox_and_Outlook_Express)

[PinkAngel_701]

Dang HARLEY I don't know how I missed this thread back from March, but I did... Very good and from a Member I can say I trust too :D
Was a good idea, indeed :)


In my opion using IE Is like sleeping with a dog that has flees - You are bound to get a few. LMAO ! Dang DoldGeek that is just to well put (and funny as HECK :D )

Rgds and Tks bud's for always sharing your Expertise
Sincerely,
Sherri

[hoteladman]

Now if a person doesn't like Internet explorer why would they use outlook.

I personally try not to use any microsoft programs just as a matter of principle.

I suppose we all have different reasons for using different browsers.

Anyone know much about AVANT Ive heard good things currently i use firefox

[Early May Buggs]

Avant is another "front-end" for IE, which means that (unless the developers of these front-ends have made the decision to disable the most troublesome aspects of IE -- and some have) it is as vulnerable as Internet Explorer without users taking pro-active measures to beef up security, And Avant seems to introduce a vulnerability of its own (http://secunia.com/advisories/12717/)

If you use and like Firefox -- and enjoy playing around with web browsers -- you should give Opera (which has a lot of nice features built in right "out of the box") and particularly K-Meleon (which feels "incomplete -- a lot of settings are "off the menu" -- but which is fast as Dizzy's striped ***** ape) a try.

[pompsteev]

I tried OPERA 9 for the first time yesterday and i`m quite impressed.I`m still in the process of tweaking it to my liking.
This browser is fast and has many more user friendly options than IE.

I was a dedicated FIREFOX user for over a year until i upgraded and all hell broke loose----basically too many crashes after the upgrade.I really tried every way possible to make firefox work with the help of some real helpers on this site,but it still crashed often so i got rid of it completely---even went into the registry and deleted everything related to "mozilla" and "firefox".

People who use these various browsers really should not need the knowledge of the inner workings of them for them to function properly,even though many people actually enjoy the challenge of making them work.Personally, i prefer easy upgrades from one version to the next.

I`m really amazed i spent the several hours of my life trying to make firefox work.Never again for sure.Life`s too short.
At least i`ve got OPERA and also am trying AVANT--basically IE with better options,and they both are running and not crashing at all,so i`m a happy camper for now.

It`s good to know people with computer problems can come here to worldstart and really get some intelligent advice from very knowledgeable helping souls.

[Elwood]

People who use these various browsers really should not need the knowledge of the inner workings of them for them to function properly,even though many people actually enjoy the challenge of making them work.
I don't have to "make" Firefox work, it works just fine all by itself, but I like the fact that I can fix just about anything that goes wrong with Firefox simply by creating a new profile (takes about 5 seconds). Did you try that?

I haven't had to create a new profile since initially installing Firefox 1.5 and creating three profiles (configured and extended differently).

I don't know everything about Firefox, but MozillaZine has a great Firefox support forum with many helpful people. You don't need to register there to post, so you will probably run across a few trolls and troublemakers there.

Here's the Mozillazine Knowledge base article covering Firefox crashes (I should have posted this for you before):

Firefox crashes - MozillaZine Knowledge Base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_crashes)

If you use a computer, you're probably going to run into a few problems along the way, you shouldn't give up on something completely if you know it's a good program and that 99+% of people run it without many/any crashes. There's bound to be a good reason for what happened to Firefox on your system.