Is Firefox For Everyone? - Comments Page 6

What I like about FireFox is that it makes me feel more secure. For example, I have Webroots spyware installed on my computer. When I used IE I had lots of spyware to clean up and delete. With FireFox, I get a congratulations you have NO spyware!! That is a good thing!!

My only complaint about FF is that FF2.0 is alot slower than the 1.5 versions and that it tends to freeze and alot, plus web pages take a little longer to load. As for IE7, well, really really really slow and stops responding most of the time. I have used FF since it was first launched and prefer it to IE, BUT please speed it up guys.

I have been using Firefox since beta. I still use Firefox because I have Windows 98 SE. IE7 is not available to users of this version of Windows or Windows ME. And, with no more updates for IE6, the level of security is probably a toss-up between the two browsers. I also like the toys that come with Firefox. You probably wanted to hear comments from XP users, but I just thought I would put in my two cents worth.

I use both but prefer FF since it's the same on both Linux and Windows. I use the IE-Tab extension in FF for those pages that insist on IE so I still keep only one window open. I also prefer the way FF encrypts my passwords and protects with a "Master Password" so unlike IE I can't simply download a utility to reveal saved passwords.

However there are memory leaks in FF so it gradually consumes more and more memory (at least on XP). Also some other programs I use integrate better into Microsoft offerings. Neither of these are show stoppers though.

Using Firefox with the IE tab extension in a Sandbox (www.sandboxie.com) is the way to go. But I also use other browsers from time to time (mainly AM Browser, because it is the browser that I am most familiar with). Sometimes I have 3-4 browsers open, but all forced into the sandbox. What, me worry? I surf in a sandbox!!

One great thing about Firefox is the cached browsing. For instance make your way to any picture site that has lots of thumbnails. Say its your own family picture site. The first time your there it may take a few minutes to load all the thumbnails. Compare Firefox and IE.... Exit the browser and go back to the site. Firefox already loaded this once before, no need to do it again. IE does another re-load. This can be a pain if your going from month to month re-visiting old pictures.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not sure what you mean... IE has always had caching, for the very reason you mention. Maybe the IE cache is too small, you can adjust it.

MAXTHON: I use Maxthon and have been using it for the last few years. And it's free as well.

It's base is IE, but has had tab browsing and the best pop-up stopper, ad stopper (KEEPS ADS from appearing on Web pages) there is I believe since I started using it. And it has so much more -- such as mouse gestures to manage the tabs, etc., etc. I tried Firefox a couple of years ago and found it doesn't compare to Maxthon, so I'm not sure what all the "love-fest" is about with Firefox.

Here's the _main_ reason to not bother to learn IE in any version: When we kick the Windows habit (now made feasible by Ubuntu Linux Desktop versions 6 and later), we won't care about IE, partly because updates are so easy (as in automatic, hands-off if desired) without it (and without WGA etc.). Oh, and it's FREE. And Fast. And printers and scanners work really well, better than in Windows in many cases. And ... well, you get the idea. Jim

I've benn using Firefox for a couple of years exclusively. Just started using the new IE7. It looks like I'm gonna keep using IE7, seems faster & so far has most of the features I liked about Firefox. As to security, I think either can be a safe experience if your machine is set up with a wise defense.

First if it wasn't for FF IE probably still wouldn't have tabs or the improvements in IE7, and if it did it would have only been available in VISTA. Second I like that FF is not so intertwined with the OS and other programs, so if their is a crash only FF goes down not my entire system. Third security holes may be in both but the majority of the holes actually attacked are overwhelmingly IE and Active X is a big part of it.

Also if IE was not so embedded in the OS maybe we wouldn't have lazy programming from Intuit which requires IE to install, and now that IE7 is out QuickBooks 2005 or older is not supported with IE7. I can install FF without breaking other programs!

http://www.quickbooks.com/Helpcenter/DoSearch.aspx?kbID=1000769