Major frustration with Mac web browsing

While I love the Mac for its overall ease of use, I have to say I get very frustrated with web browsing. There are just so many interactive sites that don't respond to clicks of the mighty mouse (e.g., interactive education games for my kids). The interactive features on many sites work fine with MS IE on a Windows PC, but are often nonresponsive with Safari and Firefox on the Mac. Am I missing a plug-in, or is this just life with a Mac (i.e., are we supposed resolve ourselves to approaching each web site crossing our fingers that maybe, just maybe, Safari or Firefox will work this time)???

 

I've only come across a few flash heavy sites that safari had trouble working with (dead links and what not). I really don't care for firefox, so I can't speak for it. Some people don't like safari but its one of the better browsers I've used, maybe even the best imho.

Safari 3.1 is on the horizon. Maybe that will fix some of the problems people are having.

 

Hope you get some answers, 'cause I'm in the same boat. Some web sites, with Firefox or Safari are so sloooooow, it's worse than dial-up. Good Lord, today I was trying to set my 4-yr-old daughter up to explore the "my e pets" interactive world on the Mac; let's just say my daughter got tired of looking at black screens as things never loaded and that's a feature she won't be using with her new stuffed dog. "Where's his house, daddy?" "Hell if I know sweetie. Let's try the burger joint...nope, that doesn't work either. Let's go back to the market...nope, the register's STILL processing your purchase from five minutes go."

I'd go nuts if I used the Mac regularly; I don't know how my wife does it.

 

Try the latest build of Safari at webkit.org. It is faster than the currently shipping version from Apple. Seems a bit more compatible with some websites.

 

Link to those sites please. I have had no problems with any Flash content using Safari, Firefox or Opera.

 

I've never had any flash problems either, nor script issues. If something isn't loading for me, it's only because I use noscript in firefox (It's useful alot, but it's annoying for most end users... )

You can always try running Firefox with the plug-in that will emulate IE. If that does the trick, it's not a Mac problem, it's a "programmer that isn't worth anything problem" that works for the site. Some people think that if you optimise the site for IE, you'll be doing the world a favour, while the truth is if you follow the standards, it'll work even better in every browser (IE included).

 

I wouldn't put it that way that's it's just life with a Mac because it's not really a Mac problem although it's the Mac Users problem because their web browser won't comprehend with certain websites.
I have never had any Flash issues with Safari so interactive sites have always worked for me but what I would recommend is to install Codeweavers Crossover Mac. It will allow you to run Windows software without installing Windows.
You can just use it for Internet Explorer. I.E's icon remains in the dock and just click it like any other app and use it when you need it.
Don't get too upset with the Mac experience as there are trade offs using both Mac and Windows. You know what the trade-offs are in Windows (more maintenance and virus protection software, Registry issues and what not) but with Windows your surfing experience will be better because I.E. is used a lot to program websites.

Again, there are many more people running Windows so you'll have to expect more websites to be I.E. friendlier so while its not a problem with "Macs" it's a problem for Mac users.
Here's the link for Codeweavers. http://www.codeweavers.com/

 

While I generally avoid flash-based sites like the plague, I've never come across anything like what you're talking about either. I'd also be interested in seeing the sites you're referring to.

 

That plug-in only works on Windows since it needs the actual IE core to emulate IE in Firefox.

 

I suppose I was looking at the 10.2 CDs I've got... which came with IE... Though I suppose most people also don't have those.

 

Try Opera. Thats what I use and I love it.

 

I certainly have issues with Safari on some websites, i just switch to Camino when im having problems. Try some different browsers to see if the issue resolves itself.