Internet Browser advice

Im not trying to start another big discussion over every one"s favorite browser, I am looking for advice.

First and foremost, I love firefox, its simple and neat. This is what I am currently using but am becoming less and less happy with it. It crashes and recovers quite frequently, even on my freshly installed OS and especially now on 64bit it seems...
Although, I use very few add-ons.
Im not opposed to any particular browser but Im not to keen on supported the Microsoft monopoly but I havent used IE in a very long time. but I will listen to your advice. Cheers

 

I use FF myself but I suggest you try out the new IE 8, Google Chrome and Opera, to name only the most popular.

 

opera would be your best bet. google chrome hates x64(as of right now). have you tried Minefield builds of FF(X64 version) it is fast. http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=75

 

I've tried IE 8 and, while a decent browser, I couldn't get over the laggy UI. Just like 7, try to open a new tab and it works....eventually. There's a small, yet irritating, delay where it'll just say "processing...". Firefox, Opera, Chrome? The tabs open instantly, and I can get to typing in addresses right away. I do like the built in ad-blocking feature though, and the IE Web Slices are a nice feature as well (The CDC just created a Swine Flu one...)

I would be more interested in using it if only it was more speedy in terms of tab opening. I also, admittedly, would miss the add-ons I have in Firefox.

I've used Opera as well, I like the idea of being able to combine E-Mail and RSS reading right into one product. Browsing was pretty speedy, but I did have trouble on some pages that i didn't in FF or IE. It might make some add-ons you'd use in FF obsolete just because the browser's chock full of features, but I still miss add-ons like SiteAdvisor and Web Of Trust-both of which can't be installed into Opera.

Chrome and Safari are good, but there's one thing that kept me crawling back to Firefox-The Add-On's.

 

FF and Chrome are my 1,2 as of now. Chrome works fine on x64 regarding the post above saying chrome hates x64.

 

-If you have a dualcore or quadcore or even hyperthreaded processor, Opera, Chrome and IE8 is the way to go since it can be 150%-400%+ faster than firefox and other non-multithreaded browsers in some situations.
-If you like simplicity and you don't feel like downloading addons to modify the browser, get Google Chrome
-If you use a lot of microsoft services (live mail..etc) and is an experienced with the windows GUI, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 will be the best since it's one of the fastest and it integrates with the OS. Also, IE8 is more compatible with websites and services.
-I can't think of any extraordinary thing about Opera. It's a good browser. Try it, if you don't like it, uninstall it. Some people like it and some doesn't
-Firefox is for people who like to make addon, download addons and mod their browsers. Compared to other browsers, firefox is the easiest to customize. If you do a lot of customization it's for you.

Browser to avoid:
1) If you want performance and have a high performance computer
-avoid Firefox, Safari, or any other browser that doesn't support multi-threading.
2) If you use a lot of services and go to a lot of website with special plugins (e.g. Microsoft Live Mesh), avoid all other browsers and use Internet Explorer 8.

In terms of memory ussage, all browsers are about the same. There are rare circumstances of memory leak from all browsers, but most users won't have to worry about it.

Uniqueness about each browser
IE8 - web slice, accelerator, multithreaded
Opera - lots of features enabled by default and fully integrated, multithreaded
Chrome - multithreaded, simple
FF - good fo modding to suit your taste and needs

 

Opera.

 

I would suggest that you don't restrict yourself to a single browser. Use at least 2 for different things. Thus, for example, I use IE8 and Opera. I have always been partial to opera because I can make it minimalistic, its fast and lightweight (though recently I have notice a spike in RAM usage). I use IE8 because (1) it is a massive improvement on IE7, which I did not like (2) there is a certain sense of universality using IE8. This last point is important for me because I am experimenting with 'cloud services' and in this sphere, Opera often fails (though not because it is a faulty browser but because of other reasons, which are well documented elsewhere on this site).

I don't use FF (though I have it on my machine and I keep it updated etc) simply because I don't like its interface - despite skinning it.

I avoid Chrome because of the various 'calling home' features that it has. Admittedly, it is fast, but that is not quite enough for me to make it a dedicated browser.

So, you see, when I want a fast browsing experience, I tend to use Opera. When I want to use various 'cloud' features, I opt for IE8. I should also mention that nowadays, I find myself partial to IE8 - seem to use it all the time - of course it has its quirks - like I wish the password manager was better implemented etc.

In conclusion, I'd say that in today's terms most browsers display approximately the same capabilities. At that point, it just comes down to your personal preferences. The only constant factor is the consideration of security and in that I think IE8 and Opera work well.

Cheers!

 

I'm still with FF, now that I've weaned myself off of IE...been pondering checking out Opera!


Cin

 

Tried Opera for a bit, didn't like it much. Chrome was okay, but as much as I love Google I don't like to provide them with my surfing habits. Haven't tried IE8 yet, might be worth checking out sometime. Firefox is great, using it to this day. Another alternative to IE is Maxthon, uses the same architecture.

 

Good advice lads, thanks!
Im not overly fond of opera to be honest, i dont dislike it but i fail to make a real attachment or fondness toward it...
out of curiosity, if i use chrome or ie: do the browsers provide info to the providers (microsoft and google) about my where abouts and such? Im just getting paranoid but still

 

they say about google keeping a track of where ever you have visited on chrome.. i give a damn about untill unless google leaks it to my girlfriend hehehe..

like Chrome, not so die-hard fan of extensions..but if you like playing around with extensions..then nothing come closer to FF.. oh.. IE8 looks decent..but then it should be a choice between FF n Chrome..

 

Thanks for all the advice lads. I have been using IE8 for the last day or so and although it feels strange, alien and typically microsoft... it doesnt feel bad and not overly so from firefox.

I miss firefox but I am longer getting those pauses when the browser crashes.

I havent properly used Chrome yet because IE8 is integrated but I have downloaded the portable version of chrome and will fiddle with it some time but so far. IE8 seems like a decent alternative to Firefox.

decent for me at least. it does have some add on functionailty but not nearly as much as firefox but for a novice user like me, I dont notice a difference.

 

FF Minefield 64bit works pretty well but I switched back to 32bit Firefox because Adobe Flash player does not support 64bit.

 

IE8 has the same problem... Any works arounds for this yet on any of the main steam browsers? other than switching back to a 32 bit browser?

 

The problem is because Adobe flash does not support 64bit browsers thus causing all 64bit browser not work for flash.

What's the reason why you don't want to switch to a 32bit browser?

 

You do realize that you can have more than one browser installed? And that you can even use them simultaneously? At this time, I have Firefox V3.0.*, IE8, and Opera installed. Sometimes the best way to determine if a problem is in an application (like a browser) or a symptom of a more systemic problem (like an operating system or security suite) is to have more than one application available to compare and contrast results.

 

It's actually pretty funny reading the Adobe Flash site, it says:

"Solution: Use 32bit browser"

Yeah, nice solution Adobe!

My best advise about browsers is to try them all. Give each of them enough time to actually become familiar with them so you can explore their strengths and weaknesses. The best browser will be the one you are most comfortable with. Or use different browsers at different times depending on the tasks at hand. Just be sure the browser you use the most is set as the default browser.

 

What part of flash doesnt integrate with 64bit OS's?
Is it that much different from 32bit?

 

All parts of flash doesn't integrate with any 64bit browser. Yes.. 64bit browser are different from 32bit browse.

 

Anyone know in the new IE8, is there a place where all my usernames and passwords are stored like in firefox?

 

Ok... I have tried and tried and tried... IE8 just doesnt feel natural...
Im trying out Chrome now, its nice, quick, shiny, simple and intuitive.

 

I use SRWare Iron. As far as I know, it's Google Chrome without the nosey Google

 

Passwords are stored in the "cookies" or "temporary internet file" just like firefox does.