[Platinum Sun]

I hear a lot of people talking about FireFox here, there, and a couple other places. I've used it once for about 14 hours (straight, plus 7 or 8 in fragments.) while I was LANing at Running Gagg. I still don't really understand what makes it so much better than IE. I know there's quite a few FF proponents out there reading this and going "OMG how could this loser no know how great FireFox is?" So here's your chance Fire Foxes: Dazzle me.

[FlamingDuck]

Firefox=great


If you're a programmer, its open source so you can write additions for it. Its very very very VERY customizable, and the extensions and such are pretty awesome. Tabbed browsing is awesomer than everything else. Its safer than IE, though I don't think it'll be that way for long because those meanie face hackers...So, tis awesome.

[Mars Djinni]

If I use Firefox, I can run trhough all the active topics in a matter of minutes.

[Split Infinity]

How so? *5 word limit*

[Someone Else]

Tabbing is enough reason for me to use FireFox. It should be enough reason for you, too. It's not that different from IE, if that's what you're afraid of. Assuming you're using IE, at least.

Actually, here's Internet Explorer 7, which has tabbed browsing and other stuff. This version is the version that will be shipped with Windows Vista, which is why the skin is completely different.
http://www.microsoft...ie/default.mspx


This is probably the best article that explains why Internet Explorer sucks very much.
http://channels.lockergnome.com/news/archi..._explorer.phtml

So it's not so much WHY FireFox is better, it's more of why IE is such a terrbile browser.

Pay close attention to this quote:

Quote

[The] Standards

This is likely to get me in some hot water with my fellow security enthusiasts, but I find this issue to be of even more concern than that of IE's security. The Internet works for one simple reason - everything at its core has been built on agreements that bind it together. Whether a computer is connected from California or Sri Lanka, it's going to speak the same language and obey the same rules - the rules defined by standards. If this weren't the case there would be no Internet at all. These agreements are forged by a body of people whose goal is nothing short of designing a better and more efficient Internet for everyone. Microsoft, for some odd reason, seems bent on breaking stride with these agreed-upon standards. Case in point: the next time you're in a bookstore, head over to the technology section and pick up a book on XHTML or CSS. These are two major web standards that deal with how web pages are displayed to users, and within any book on the subjects you will find one common theme:

The absolute worst browser when it comes to supporting the standards [or rules that bind the internet together] is Internet Explorer.

Page after page in these books will reveal features supported in other browsers, but not in IE. Ask yourself why a company would choose not to support standards that benefit everyone? The way I see it, it's for precisely one of two reasons — either they are unable to, or they don't want to. Given the fact that they are a multi-billion dollar company (one of the richest on the planet), I can't help but lean toward the second option. Without going into too much detail (See Longhorn), they have their own plans, and those plans involve implementing their own standard and forcing it upon the world. Call me a geek/hippie, but the idea of a multi-billion dollar corporation snubbing its nose at agreed-upon standards is nothing short of infuriating.

If you're a Microsoft fanboy, and still are a Microsoft fanboy after reading this, kindly do us a favor and kick yourself in the ass.

[Mars Djinni]

Split Infinity, on Jun 24 2006, 04:48 PM, said:

How so? *5 word limit*

Do you not realize how many topics I can open in one browser using tabs?

[Split Infinity]

What's the point of having tabs when you can just line up a bunch of windows?

[Mars Djinni]

What's the point of having a bunch of windows when you can have just one? Just one click with teh middle mouse button and you have a fully-loaded page to skim.

[Split Infinity]

The same goes for tabs. :P It just seems like an unnecessary convenience.

And I also have a button on my mouse which switces between windows.

[Eugine]

Maybe because you don't multitask.

When you have so much websites open, each window can have tabs relating to a website specifically. It's easier to manage and looks more tidy.
Plus, some of us use MSN Messenger, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office and much more at the same time.

[Split Infinity]

So, you can use tabs. What else sets Firefox apart from other browsers?

[Mars Djinni]

I'll have you compare.

For checking the source code of a site, which is more efficient? This? Or This?

This is taking note that Firefox has it built-in and IE has to use a separate program.

[Split Infinity]

Um...one of them is coloured? Yay?

[Mars Djinni]

Could you please tell me if IE is as fully customizable as Firefox and can act as a Limewire/KaZaA-esque downloads manager? Right here.

EDIT: fixed up the thumbnail image, you should be able to see it now.

[Split Infinity]

Sorry, I can't even read that.

[EDIT] Whoa dang, that looks complicated.

[Someone Else]

Split Infinity, on Jun 24 2006, 07:38 PM, said:

So, you can use tabs. What else sets Firefox apart from other browsers?

What the heck???? Did you completely skip my post??

READ THIS: http://channels.lockergnome.com/news/archi..._explorer.phtml ALL of it.

If you still won't make a switch after reading that, you're not worth the time of us trying to convert you. You're only hurting yourself by insisting on using the crap that is know as the "IE". We're only trying to help you!

[Split Infinity]

I think I'll just stick with the basics, thank you.

[Someone Else]

Wind Dude, on Jun 24 2006, 08:11 PM, said:

You're only hurting yourself

Thus this will be my last attempt at converting Split.

[MysticWarrior]

He's 13 years old, he doesn't understand any of what you're trying to tell him =P Although I'm not interested in any of those besides spyware protection and the tabs.

EDIT: 14. My statement still stands, though.

[Split Infinity]

I'm 14, damnit! Why can't you people understand that!?

[Wiflewood]

I also like all the different skins and addons you can get. I have this cool shiny black skin at the moment, and of course, Adblock FTW. Just right-click an add and click disable and you'll never see it again.

[Mars Djinni]

Wiflewood, on Jun 25 2006, 02:01 AM, said:

I also like all the different skins and addons you can get. I have this cool shiny black skin at the moment, and of course, Adblock FTW. Just right-click an add and click disable and you'll never see it again.

SWEET Shiny Black! I think I've seen it before. Would look nice on my own scheme, too.

[Platinum Sun]

OK guys. I like to think I'm open-minded. This all sounds like very good stuff. I think I'll head over to Mozilla, grab a copy of FireFox and use it for something other than playing Unreal Tournament 2004 at 2AM to see how it goes. With any luck, I will be among the elite few soon.

[Mars Djinni]

Excellent Choice, Platinum. You won't go wrong.

If you checked my FF comparison screens, you'll see that I've added a small skin that makes the buttons look nicer. Can't do that on IE without making your own, if I can recall...

[Platinum Sun]

Woah, official count:
Switching browsers took me 42 seconds! I've switched a few times before and it's never been this easy. You click the button that says "Import settings from IE" and you're done, all your stuff is there.
This is the first thing I've ever done with FireFox on my computer and I have to say I'm loving it. Firefox acts like it wants to help me browse, not like a robot slave being forced to do my dirty work for me. Stuff is loading a little slower, but that's probably because I haven't given it the couple years it took IE to get accustomed to my browsing habits. It's been a very, very long time since I've been excited about my browser. Thanks guys!

I welcome thee, O brave new world that has such people in it!

[isaac rules]

the shiny black one it called black japan, right? i have that one too, and its perfect, its dark, so it doesn't hurt my eyes, and it makes playing video games look cooler... and its very compact, everything is tiny so you can fit more on the page....and i also downloaded the US Department of Homeland Insecurity Idiocy Level...right now it says the government is scared!

[Nick Presta]

If you want to look at it from a technical and standards standpoint,

http://www.howtocrea...owserSpeed.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of...ser_CSS_support
http://en.wikipedia....of_web_browsers
http://en.wikipedia....Mozilla_Firefox
http://stopie.com/

[Sea of Time]

You can't understand how awesome Firefox is until you try it. I was a doubter before but now I can't use any other browser. It runs web pages smooth and fast, images load faster, and downloads is a hell of a lot easier. Plus it looks cooler.

Oh yeah, and if your parents don't want to switch browsers just tell them two words that will change their mind. Parental control.

Yeah, it sucks but it's still a useful feature.

[Kubjelle]

There are many reasons why to use FireFox over IE. Such as, less usage of system resource, helpful features like; tabbed browsing, popup-blocker, live bookmarks and so on. And lets not forget that FireFox renders pages faster then IE. Altough in my opinion those are minor advantages compared to the fact that IE has many exploits. Just the security reason should be enough reason for you to use FireFox.

But really, Opera is the best web-browser. It is the fastes browser on any platform.(check out Nicks first link) It has better security then FireFox and has many additional features that are worth mentioning, but since I am lazy. I will just give a link.

http://www.opera.com...gs/windows/900/

The new Opera 9. I have been to lazy to test it out, but the features seems promising, especially content-blocker and BitTorrent support. :]

[NuMou Sniper]

Not only does FF have tabs and is extremely customizable, but the extensions for FF go on forever. Does IE have an extension where you can play your music from your borwser? (Foxytunes), What about an extension that shows you the weather in the statusbar, not only current but days ahead if you wish. (Forecastfox) What about an extension where you click an eyedropper (on the borwser) and when you go over an item it shows you what color it is (mainly for people who use photoshop)? (Colorzilla) There are so many thigns. And the amount of skins you can choose form is enormous. And believe me, it is not all that confusing at all. Very easy and managable. Even the options menu where you can clear you history, save your passwords, everything, is very simple to understand. I shall provide screenshots if you wish.

My extensions list so far (that prove FF > IE):

Colorzilla (shows you what color an item in your browser is)
Forecastfox (current local weather and future forecasts)
Foxytunes (browser music player where you can control your music player without minimizing your browser. Links to most media players)
Reload Every (i don't know if IE has it but its an autoreloader that helps quite a bit on forums. For me at least)

And there are many more which I didn't list because I only use what I need. But if you were to look at the full list you'd be amazed at the functionality of Firefox's extensions and everything.

[Platinum Sun]

Wow. Thus far I've been using Firefox just as I would IE and I'm impressed. Maybe if I get some free time soon I'll personalize it. Pimp my browzer playah!

[pHantOm]

Spyware targets IE, since businesses use it in thier offices.

[Platinum Sun]

So that's where all this junk came from! I have truly epic amounts of spyware on my computer, but this is a more school/recreation-oriented computer. So there's no secret data for them to steal. They just burn up a lot of RAM because they're idling all the time.

[Lemontime]

I started using FireFox a week or so ago and I really love it.. I don't really have use for alot of extensions because I've got a multimedia keyboard, but the theme I use is really awesome.. Geek 0.2 for anyone that wants it.
The tabbed browsing is a real leap forward from using firefox and I love the very simple interface and google search in the toolbar.. It works great with my keyboard and I don't know why I didn't switch earlier.
For those who haven't yet, swap to firefox!

[Nick Presta]

pHantOm, on Jul 3 2006, 12:22 PM, said:

Spyware targets IE, since businesses use it in thier offices.

That is true but Spyware also targets the common idiot.

Platinum Sun, on Jul 3 2006, 01:04 PM, said:

So that's where all this junk came from! I have truly epic amounts of spyware on my computer, but this is a more school/recreation-oriented computer. So there's no secret data for them to steal. They just burn up a lot of RAM because they're idling all the time.

Again, Spyware isn't on your computer because you use IE. Spyware is on your computer because your browsing habits combined with the emails you open and recieve are poor. I ran IE for a couple years before I started using Firefox and I rarely had Spyware and when I did, I knew exactly why (Going to Warez sites).

If you browse safely and use common sense on the internet, you are safe regardless although IE does make it easier for common people to download Spyware...

[Kubjelle]

What Nick said is not entirly correct. There are cases that the reason you get malware is because of the use of Internet Explorer. If you had used another web browser you could have prevented this. Actually the probablity to prevent it is rather high. When I search trough my computer for malware. I see that almost everything I have gotten, is trough IE.

To prove my point about exploits.

http://secunia.com/product/4227/
Reported here in Secunia there is 4 exploits that hasn't been fixed and 1 that has been partial fixed.

http://secunia.com/product/11/
Internet Explorer on the other hand has 21(if I have counted correctly) exploits that hasn't been fixed and 10 exploits that has been partial fixed.

And as I said earlier, this should be enough reason to use FireFox(Opera) over Internet Explorer!

[Nick Presta]

Yes, you're correct about that but my point was that you don't automatically get hit with spyware for using IE. You can use IE and visit sites like Yahoo.com (and the associated pages) all you want and never get hit with malware. You can get spyware in Firefox by visiting bad sites too.

[Elliott]

Firefox > Internet Explorer

Not a whole lot more needs to be said on the matter.

[Platinum Sun]

Yeah, I'm starting to notice a trend that IE is probably the worst browser in the history of terrible browsers and that a switch to anything would be a step up.

[Bexie]

I actually hate Firefox. I've been using IE since I started going on the net nine years ago, and I don't plan to change it. I'm using FireFox at the moment since I'm on my dad's PC, and I hate it.
But I hate Opera even more. >.<

But yeah, I'm a IE person. And as for the Spyware thing, I run Spybot every night before I go to bed. Easy as crap.

[My Best Wishes]

^No it's really not.

Recently I had a malware SurfSideKick3 on my computer. No anti-spyware or virius scanner could delete it. Hell, it completey destroyed my copy of Ad-aware. System restore did nothing. I had to go through all these registry files. The time to took my to detect it, try to delete it and delete it was, no joke, 13 hours over 3 days. One day I was on the computer from 5pm to 1am trying to fix it.

IE has so many trojans and stuff, oh, and all the pop ups SSK3 generated, they ALL came through IE even though I use firefox!

[Someone Else]

Bexie, on Jul 25 2006, 01:48 PM, said:

I actually hate Firefox. I've been using IE since I started going on the net nine years ago, and I don't plan to change it. I'm using FireFox at the moment since I'm on my dad's PC, and I hate it.

Well, what do you hate about it? Do you hate how it's different? Because it really doesn't work any different than IE. I've being using FF like I've always used IE (but with Tabs and such) and it's the same experience... just faster and more convenient and ****.

[Toasty]

The only thing I don't like about it is that one time I was using it on a comp. at church just surfing the net, and none of the sites would come up. Half said that they didn't exist, but I knew they did. But that was a looong time ago. Like last year or before. Mabey it was a bad version, mabey the net was just quiting on me for the day like it does on my home comp. sometimes. Either way, it's not really relivent now.

[pHantOm]

Some HTML codes crash my Firefox, such as a few of my friends myspaces.

[Elliott]

You can judge a person's intellect on their browser choice.
People who use Internet Explorer are stupid because either they don't realise that their browser sucks and causes them problems, they realise that but are too lazy to get something new, or they know there is something better but decide to stick with the crap browser.
Anyone with half a brain will tell you Firefox / Opera are better browsers, so why sit there with a hopeless excuse for a browser, when there are 2 much better ones only a few clicks away?

[Bexie]

Wind Dude, on Jul 26 2006, 03:08 AM, said:

Well, what do you hate about it? Do you hate how it's different? Because it really doesn't work any different than IE. I've being using FF like I've always used IE (but with Tabs and such) and it's the same experience... just faster and more convenient and ****.

I just... HATE it. Mainly since FireFox hates any and all HTML that I write and horribly mutates it. And no, I'm not going to figure out how to make it work for FireFox. I spent ages teaching myself HTML in the first place and I can't be arsed to see what needs to be changed. Besides, I've never had any problems at all with IE, and like I said, been using it for all the nine years I've been on the net. Nothing bad's ever happened. I've never had a virus on my PC of any kind, never any horrible Spyware. So honestly, when you lot are saying "Oh IE brings in bad spyware and shiz and killed my comp", I have no idea what you're on about.

[Kubjelle]

Getting malware is not only about what web browser and spyware cleaner you use. Your internet habits plays a matter. For example, if you are visiting bad websites. Porn, scamsites and unseriouse sites, you are practically begging for malware. I must admit, Nick is right about this. Spyware also targets the common idiot. So, it is possible to use internet explorer without getting large amounts of malware.

The effects of spyware can vary. And some are hard to detect. And you may not be aware that it is spyware that causes that effect. One typical example of this is that spyware often causes high CPU activity, more disk usage and uses your network. People then think this are hardware related issues. And they buy new computers, because the old one "has become to slow".

And I'd rather be safe then sorry. Therfor I use a browser that is not that "exploitable".
Regarding (x)html, you should learn the new standards. It is really not much difference ^^

[Toasty]

It took me about a week to learn the basics, and to learn the more advanced stuff, I've spent about a weeks time now and gotten most of the advanced stuff. But that doesn't include DHTML and CSS. I know quite a bit of CSS, but there's still more to learn.

We've only had one virus on our comp. that made it quit for a while, at least until we could get a new part to replace the contaminated one. And come to think of it, our computer has significantly slowed down since we first got it in 2000, or 2002. Can't quite remember when we got it.

[Kubjelle]

It is recommended to reformat your hard disk every fourth year. ;]
So if I were you I'd take backup on all your important things, and then reformat your computer.

[Toasty]

....And you reformat how?

Sorry, I know a good deal of computers, but to most of you guys, my knowledge is mediocre. But I do know how to back up all my files. :P

[Kubjelle]

There are several ways to reformat a hard disk, but the easiest way is to use the installation program in windows XP.(I am assuming you use XP) Just insert the installation CD. When you reformat you will delete ALL DATA EXISTING on your hard disk. So be sure to make backup files, and get all your drivers and your programs ready.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348 <-- guide in how to format your hard disk. I recommend you reading this if you are going to reformate your hard disk. ;]

[Toasty]

Okay, thanks. Although if anyone did that to our computer, it would be my dad. If I did it without him knowing, he'd kill me. :P

[Sea of Time]

I have a question. How can I convince a person who knows very little about Firefox to download it? My Dad has been using Internet Explorer for 7 years, and I have no good arguments for him to get Firefox other than tabbed windows. What other arguments can I use that he will understand? (He's not a technical genius)

[Toasty]

Easy to use addons, safer browsing, easier to manage bookmarks, etc.

[Sea of Time]

Well we got it, but I am having issues viewing Windows Media Player videos in Firefox. When I try to get the plugin, it says that there are no available plugins.

Any solutions?

[FlamingDuck]

Well, my best bet would be for you to just go to their website and download it. This seems to be happening to me a o, but honestly, my computer is so messed up I can't tell if its Firefox or me...

[Max]

At this point, if the person is using Windows XP, just make sure that they upgrade to IE 7.0, which is alot more secure and includes many features of Firefox that are touted as FF's advantages.

[Nyktos]

Agatio, on Jul 26 2006, 05:15 AM, said:

You can judge a person's intellect on their browser choice.
People who use Internet Explorer are stupid because either they don't realise that their browser sucks and causes them problems, they realise that but are too lazy to get something new, or they know there is something better but decide to stick with the crap browser.
Anyone with half a brain will tell you Firefox / Opera are better browsers, so why sit there with a hopeless excuse for a browser, when there are 2 much better ones only a few clicks away?

Just one thing: these days teenagers (and young adults) seem to generally be more technically minded than adults, so maybe these arguments don't work for parents. For example, I know a guy whose dad thinks he's a genius for finding MyIE2 (basically IE with tabs) so the tabs argument doesn't work and he claims he's "too smart to get security problems". Yup, real smart he is. His son wants to use FF, but he has a Limited account so he can't install programs.

Bexie, on Jul 27 2006, 05:24 PM, said:

I just... HATE it. Mainly since FireFox hates any and all HTML that I write and horribly mutates it. And no, I'm not going to figure out how to make it work for FireFox. I spent ages teaching myself HTML in the first place and I can't be arsed to see what needs to be changed. Besides, I've never had any problems at all with IE, and like I said, been using it for all the nine years I've been on the net. Nothing bad's ever happened. I've never had a virus on my PC of any kind, never any horrible Spyware. So honestly, when you lot are saying "Oh IE brings in bad spyware and shiz and killed my comp", I have no idea what you're on about.

I'm sorry, but if your "HTML" works in IE but not FF, you don't know HTML. You know MSIL (Microsoft Stupid Internet Language).

[Sea of Time]

I agree with Max, I have Internet Explorer 7.0 and it's equally as good as Firefox.

[Nyktos]

Sea_of_Time, on Nov 23 2006, 06:32 PM, said:

I agree with Max, I have Internet Explorer 7.0 and it's equally as good as Firefox.

Yup. Just as good. Except for, you know, all the stuff that's worse. Have you actually tried Firefox? If you have, I respect your opinion, but everyone I know who's tried Firefox immediately realized it's much metter.

[Sea of Time]

If you look in the "Internet Explorer 7.0 vs. Firefox 2" topic, I actually do like Firefox better. After giving both of them a closer look, I do give the slight edge to Firefox only because of the spell check.

The one thing that's annoying about Firefox is how difficult they (still) make it to open Flash and WMP videos in web pages.

~4500~