I use IE8 on my Windows 7 evaluation copy computer - simply because it is an evaluation freebie. I have no big issue with IE8

Firefox is on my main machine, currently 3.0.6 and quite like it. Been using it about 3 years I suppose. The only extras are a Canadian dictionary and adblocker.

Opera is installed but rarely used other than testing web pages. The layout is so different, not necessarily better or worse just different so I cannot be bothered to get fully acquainted with it. Tried Chrome for 2 days but as I do not fully trust Google I removed it.

Right now I am having to use Firefox, but when I get my new computer , I will install Seamonkey Suite. Seamonkey is a Mozilla product and I have used it for for several years. I never had a problem of fonts changing like I have with Firefox is today. I do not use IE if I don't have to. But it stays on my computer for sites that only work with IE.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seamonkey download website

Firefox has been my favorite for some time now. I got it because of a couple of ad-ons. stick with it because of inertia.

It does seem to me that each iteration has some new feature that is a bit of a bother - but isn't that the main problem with IE too?

firefox is my main browser on all my computers linux and windows alike. I only keep IE to do windows updates. I also have Konquerer on my linux boxes since it comes with Mepis but don't use it much.

I absolutely love firefox and have lots of add ons which make my life much easier and of course safer.

the best thing is if you get one of the new updates or versions and it has problems with your pc then just go back to the old version till things get squared away, the great thing about the Mozilla team is they are very quick at fixing things unlike some others.

At the moment, for its speed, I'm using and liking SRWare's Iron (its privacy conscious adaptation of Chrome). Next I like Opera (and I'm looking forward to its version 10 coming out of beta). Only when one of these two won't work properly at a web site will I use FF. I only use IE for Windows updating.

Here is a link that might be useful: Iron Browser

I have been using Opera as my main browser for several years. I find it simple to use and it's fast. I also have Firefox and Chrome but don't use them as much. I use IE8 only for MS updates. I still use Outlook Express for mail server.

I prefer Firefox over all others. I use Opera occasionally and IE as a last resort. I find Firefox to have fewer problems and many more capabilities, and I love all the Add-ons Firefox offers.

I used Firefox predominantly on my PC. When I switched to a Mac Safari was the browser of choice, but for most applications I still prefer Firefox.

I've used Opera 8.53 since it came out and have tried others except firefox. The only reason I have't is that Opera makes me happy for 1 big reason.

I'm only 12 hour's / day . I do research or write.

Opera 8.53 is the only browser among IE and Netscape (aol) .. I've not tried Firefox that works so very well using only the keyboard.

I'm a research scientist and time is important to me. Although I like to relax too. When at the end of the day I felt so frazzled I began to cut back on my work. Then I realized that I was enjoying using the keyboard functions that Opera 8.53 offered. I can't spend the time now but if you are intersted I'll elaborate later.

Anyway I found out that at the end of 12 hours I felt fresh while if I had to reach for the mouse every 30 seconds I did not feel as refreshed. I did some research on 'keyboard only' browsers. The results are nil. Some say it's faster others say it's not. I say.. it's easier on me. My brain is more relaxed. I do some brain chemsitry and waveform scanning . no hard data yet. But I suspect I'd find that not having to reach for the mouse keeps one part of the brain more relaxed. Whether it's because you're not having to change up to accomodate the new thinking patter of reaching .. and using the moving dot. I don't know.

Anyway I like Opera 8.53. IE does not , at all, allow me to do any kind of keyboard work. It's awful in that regard. (Plus it's hacker bait .. read Kevin Mitnick on google.

try this search.

kevin mitnick "internet explorer" hacker bait

As for Firefox.. well I've heard a lot of good things. But
I'm happy with my keyboard experience with opera 8.53.
As for 'the new internet' .. that part of the 'I' that you can't
access unles you have all of the bells and things loaded to run . I wish we had 2 internets. One for us who just want the data and those who want the entertainment.

I see a distinct split with MSoft going the way of entertainment while most open source people focus of the work aspect. It's a Mad Max scenario playing out.

But that's long after I'm gone.

I'll check back if you want some more help with the keyboard part of Opera. Just make a note and I'll pick up on it.

Andre

Firefox for PC; Safari for Mac.

Andre I found your post very interesting. The Kevin Mitnick link however brings up pages from way back. Perhaps only 3 years for some but in the computer world that can be half a lifetime. The first 20 links on the search were all ancient stuff from 2001 to 2006. The IE aka MS bashing is not new but with perhaps 90% of the population using their programs they are the obvious target for hackers. Why would a hacker waste time with all the other minor players until such time they have sufficient penetration to be worth the effort?

We now have an anti virus program for the Mac suggesting they now are owned in numbers large enough to attack. Firefox has a reputed 10% market share so one has to wonder when it too will be a target.

I think you may be talking about keyboard shortcuts? if so most all browsers have keyboard shortcuts.
just google keyboard shortcuts to find tons of info.

firefox has so many awesome add ons that are time savers for me and make doing so many things much easier, I am regularly reviewing new add ons looking for neat new ones I can use. I find if I have an issue with something if I do a little quick research I can find an add on that handles the issue nicely.

It is indeed unfortunate that you have concerns with FF, but I do find it interesting viewed in the spirit of the posters who freely use FF. For years users have been lauding it as the messiah in browsers.

Your report justs shows that no matter how good of an application you publish it will not work for everyone as systems are different, users are different, installed applications are different , and the always possible corrupt download/installation is there. Further, as Owbist alludes to as FF's market share increases so does its vulnerability. As I type this two FF security updates that have been published come to mind.

For what it is worth, I am a FF-IE8-Opera user inthat order of preference. And truthfully I am becoming more and more accustomed to and liking IE8.

Good luck in your browser endeavor.

DA

I'm glad my post got a thought going.

I didn't doubt the links were old and I did not even check them as I've heard Kevin bash MS for a very long time.
I think, however, you hit upon the magic formula. Don't be a target. Avoid using the browser everyone has on the OS and you can avoid trouble.

I have not used a firewall ever. I've been onlin since 1984 when my Tandy Model 100 was the 300 baud / second speed demon in use.

I've had one virus in that period and it was my fault.

I've stuck to using only online mail systems. but if I
used a local mail system I'd use Netscape 3.04. It's HTML 2 or HTML3 standard is plenty enough to get the message.

Personally I think the Internet has split 2 ways. Entertainment and work. Those who don't reaize this will be subject to being 'used' .

Those who are here to read and learn aren't a target because we are only taking or giving information similar to what I am pushing out right here.

As long as online purchases are safe I see the Internet to be an intereresting machine that will probably create a true Mad Max scenario in 30 years.

Being 56 and retiring, as a degreed scientist at 46 I've
become more of a sociologist than a hard science person. My degrees are in electronics, chemistry and materials analysis. So I'm really really interested in technology and
the internet. But I can't but help see what's happening.

Having 24 hours a day to watch it and people , at my leisure, is pretty valuable.

PS. I am going back to work someday. And I've been working. But for free. It's been the best 10 years of my life.

Good luck .

BTW the 'shortcuts' are no different than , for example, using ctl-c.

when Imentioned I could select a word, sentence, or paragraph by simply pressing 'D' ..or 'E' in Opera 8.53 I don't have to set that up. It's already setup.
There is a sad part. It's gone in Version 9.

I agree that I've heard that Firefox's addons can't be beat. If you like addons that's great. I've always preferred to use separate programs that I can monitor
their behavior. Why? I'm still using some programs
that I've had since 1989 because they're tiny, play
well with others, and clean up after themselves.

Again I admire that FF is doing something right. If I didn't have the good results from Opera 8 I'd jump to FF.

Good luck.

Play nice and enjoy life. be good to yourself.

Opera!! When my next to newest computer got the first MS auto update ie7 promptly stopped working and problem could not be resolved by phone. I downloaded Opera, Safari and Firefox. Later GeekSquad remote finally got it working. Since then I have added a SmartTouch HP tablet and I have ie8 on everything - but there are few times that I need it (pogo games). I was already sold on Opera/SpeedDial and use it 99% of the time.

My husband and I have used Firefox on our computers for years and are completely satisfied with it. There was a brief period when one version, I forget which, was very slow to come up after I rebooted my computer, but that problem fixed itself with the next version. I have set FF to shift me to IE whenever I want to view CNN, as CNN videos work better there, but that's all.

Is it just me, or has anybody else noticed problems with Firefox lately? I'm using 3.5.x now. On more than one computer (with decent memory) it's starting to crash a bit too much for my liking. And sometimes I have to go into task manager to close it even if I have no windows open. Maybe Firefox is no longer as streamlined as it once was. Not sure, though.

some of you may be interested in trying out Lunascape browser.
Lunascape

the latest windows secret newsletter had an article by Gizmo about this browser.
I tried to copy and paste that info here but for some reason it kept blocking my post.

IE seems to be crashing on me all the time and I'm not at fan of Firefox. Downloaded Chrome earlier this week and I like it alot so far.

if you are having firefox problems it may be due to one of the recent MS windows updates, this link can provide info on that.
Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 violates FireFox

Raven I cannot see the connection. The article you link to was posted January 30th so I doubt that is relevant to today's issues with the various posters. Not suggesting that Net Framework is pure but that particular update was too long ago.

actually it was re-installed again with the new updates I have been following this issue over on BBR here is that link The discussion on the re install of the firefox add on starts on page 2 of the post.
so it can be a new occurrence.

Here is a link that might be useful: bbr post

Firefox and had a little problem with it opening pages at first, but not anymore. No pop ups or ads and nice desktop themes. Love the bookmark tool bar at the top.

For some reason, I just cannot fall in love with Firefox, even though I have had it on my computers through various versions including 3.5. And IE is absolutely so slow, even v.8 that I use it only when I have to. I keep going back to Opera since I have never had the problems that others have had with GW. I do use Chrome to view a few websites, just because I like to keep it up to date. It's nice and fast and both it and Opera are not loaded down with a bunch of add-ons---just not necessary.