Is Firefox really better?

[KathleenMN]

The thirty day challenge recommends that we use Firefox as a browser. I have always used Explorer. I am very comfortable with this browser and am hesitant to switch browsers, unless there is some real benefit in doing so. Can anyone provide a review on Firefox, and let me know if it's worth switching to?

Kathleen

[cindybidar]

Better? Probably not. All browsers let you view web pages, so from that point of view they're all equal. I like FF because of the AddOns, which are like plugins for WordPress. Pieces of code that extend the functionality of the software. X-marks is the one that I use the most. It keeps my bookmarks synced between all my computers. There are thousands of others as well.

I think Ed Dale recommends FF (didn't he used to recommend Flock?) because he uses some of these add ons in the program.

[NicoleDean]

I can't provide any "real" reviews, but I can say that Firefox hates me. ((sigh))

I use it on my laptop, but it just doesn't like me on my PC. Firefox just won't recognize cookies for me, so I log into sites like Gmail and will click on something and it makes me log in again, no matter how many years I mess with the settings. Go figure.

Honestly, I like IE just fine. They're quite comparable.

[deniseoberry]

I switch back and forth depending on what I'm doing. Often one or the other doesn't behave well with certain websites so I go to the alternative. I think it's a good idea to have both on your computer so you have choices. But that's my personal preference.

[cindybidar]

I think it's a good idea to have both on your computer so you have choices.

If you have websites or blogs, it's probably a good idea to check them out in different browsers as well. Though it can be disheartening to see that oh-so-lovely page in FireFox get shifted all out of whack in IE. From time to time I also check my sites in Chrome, Flock, and Safari.

[Danielle]

I love Firefox. I have had IE crash on me soo many times and I have lost work and websites because of it. My favorite thing about FF is that I can open multiple tabs and when I am done at the end of the day I close it up and FF saves all my tabs. This saves me hours of time. I have had FF crash on me about 3 times in the last nine months! I will never go back to IE willingly!

[StephenT]

As you can see, it is subjective. I love FF. I think it is faster and I like the plug-ins. Go with what works best for you.

[wade_watson]

Firefox has some annoying bugs that get on my nerves now and then, but I use it for a couple of reasons, mostly because it can be set up as the safest browser for PC users. I learned this for computer security expert Steve Gibson, of twit.tv's Security Now podcast. Internet Explorer is the primary focus of culprits who create hostile scripts and I know from personal experience what can happen. Several years ago, my computer was infected with a virus from simply bringing up a seemingly innocent website. I had Norton AV going, but it couldn't prevent some damage, so I had to reformat. IE has Microsoft's ActiveX capability enabled by default. It can give web programmers way too much control over your computer and is not really safe to have enabled at all. Firefox doesn't run or, apparently, miss it.

Firefox's great strength are the many "addons" (plugins) available for it. If you install one called "NoScript" the browser will not run a script unless you give it permission. You can set ups safe sites to always run them if you want. There's also an add on that blocks ads, AdBlockPlus, which I run (some marketers may not like that idea).

There a number of addons that can be useful for Internet marketing and web programmers. "DoNotFollow" will give color-coded link highlights. This is handy for finding blogs offering good backlinks. "Firebug" will show you a page's stylesheet, which is useful in studying a site's design. There are many more.

Wade Watson

[amibr]

I love FF. I think it is more user friendly, love the add ons, there are millions to pick from depending on what you need. IE has some annoying bugs when displaying web pages sometimes. But like said above it is good to have a few to compare.

I was scared of switching when I first heard about FF. But I downloaded it and gave it a try and have never looked back. Wish I had done it earlier. I suggest you download it, give it a try for a few days and see what you think.

[KathleenMN]

Thanks for all the great replies!! You all have convinced me to give it a go. I think the only thing holding me back was changing from what was familiar and comfortable. Since getting out of my comfort zone is what this challenge is about for me, I gotta do it!!