Wish I could know the most popular web browser here.
I am tired of using IE7, but I can't switch for an alternative.
How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista
Whats your vista web browser except IE7
(20 posts)
I use opera. It's small, and complete. Only 5 mb download, and that's include a decent email client. compared with firefox/thunderbird combo which is nearly 20mb download.
Also, with opera, you have the option to individually show pictures in a web page. So, you can skip those advertising pics
I think opera can render page better than firefox. I encountered some pages with cascading menus (most of them with .aspx extension) that displayed well with ie, but garbled with firefox. opera can render the page better than firefox in most cases. Well, at least this is my personal experience
My recommendation would be Firefox + NoScript. The original idea behind Firefox was to keep the browser small and light but let folks use add-ons to modify or increase functionality. The great thing about Firefox today is the sheer number of add-ons -- extensions, themes, and plug-ins -- allowing you to customize the browser to your taste. Some people, in my opinion, go a little nuts with the add-ons and create there own big, bloated Firefox. Well, that's their choice.
One of the best add-ons around is NoScript which disables scripting for all websites until you whitelist them. This cuts down on spyware, browser hijacks, and worse which is good because browsers are now one of the worst security threats on your system. Also, NoScript kills ads many of which use flash or javascript. Still got ads? Try AdBlocker. Got active server pages (.asp) that don't render right? Add IEtab and use IE's rendering engine but Firefox's interface.
I've never used Opera, so I can't comment on it.
ScottW, you should give Opera a try - just for fun. It's really neat and fast. I have used Firefox for a while but found it more troublesome than IE - only AOL beat it. And yes, the add-ons give you flexibility and function. But they also make it messy unless you spend a lot of time studying them to make your own sorting. Lack of function sometimes has it's advantages too - at least for a plain soul like me.
tan2x,
Just out of curiosity, which sites can you not view in Firefox?
The FF Download Statusbar extension offers dozens of tweaks not available in any other browser, one of which is resuming stopped/paused downloads. It even resumes after the browser has been closed. It's one of the more popular extensions.
Threads on browsers are always tricky, as each individual has their own needs and preferences. I use four different ones, mostly to break the monotony. You may want to try Firefox 3 when it becomes final next month. Just my .02c
I am glad you like Opera. Just a few additional points.
1. Make sure you set up the "Speed Dial" - it's real neat
2. There is a 9.5 Beta Version available which works real well and is even faster
3. The current Version has one little glitch - if you have viewed a topic on e.g. the HTG Forum, it does not automatically turn the topic from blue to black after you have exited it. But if you click the little red refresh arrows in the address bar, it will turn them black. This works better with V 9.5 - but not perfect either.
I myself like the speed and the intuitive user interface - I hate to study things for weeks to make them work.
PS. Expect to be overwhelmed by the Firefox fans - it's a big community. But I did not budge after I had used it for 6 months I found it to be too messy - and slow as you said.
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