Can someone explain FireFox to me?

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Just wondering what FireFox is exactly? I use Internet Explorer but in a brief conversation today someone was talking about FireFox and how they liked it for (I don't even remember) but as I said the conversation was in passing and so I didn't get to ask any questions.

So, is it great? And, if it is, where can I get it?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Galahad]

It is a rival browser. You can get it at www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/. It's a free download. I tried it for a few months and didn't see a lot of advantages, especially since IE now has tabbed browsing - so I switched back to IE.

 

[agotta]

Somehow it magically appeared on my computer when I.T. returned it I like it because it allows for multiple screens to be open in the same window, using tabs. I can keep my email up, with the disboards and whatever else I am working with, with only one tab on my task bar. Does that make any sense? I like it, but other than that, no big differences.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Security wise, it's better for your computer than relying on IE. IE has all sorts of security flaws that allow unknown websites to install software (that could be harmful) on your computer, sometimes without even asking you. Firefox is also a standards-compliant browser, whereas IE adds it's own extensions to the HTML standard. (sadly, people design for IE, which results in some pages looking absolutely great in IE, and horrible on other browsers)

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Thanks for all of your help. I'll be sure to check it out.

Thanks again.

 

[disneyred]

It is a rival browser. You can get it at www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/. It's a free download. I tried it for a few months and didn't see a lot of advantages, especially since IE now has tabbed browsing - so I switched back to IE.

Can you explain how the IE has tabbed browsing... I am using IE but do not
see this feature !!
TIA

 

[ScoJo15]

Security wise, it's better for your computer than relying on IE. IE has all sorts of security flaws that allow unknown websites to install software (that could be harmful) on your computer, sometimes without even asking you. Firefox is also a standards-compliant browser, whereas IE adds it's own extensions to the HTML standard. (sadly, people design for IE, which results in some pages looking absolutely great in IE, and horrible on other browsers)

This is 100% accurate. Firefox is the way to go.

I can't stand it when sites are IE only....just shows you how much control Microsoft has over everything.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I've been using Firefox for about 6 months now. It runs much quicker on my computer and I don't have to clean 2 or 3 viruses a week off. I have a few regular sites that I use IE for, mostly Java apps because I've never gotten them to run as well on Firefox.

But mostly, I can put up with some occassional funky formatting in exchange for the advantages.

 

[Mister Incredible]

FireFox was a really bad Clint Eastwood movie. Although it's bad, I still find myself watching it when it's on. Maybe I should "Think in Russian" not to watch it. I crack myself up!

 

[Galahad]

Can you explain how the IE has tabbed browsing... I am using IE but do not
see this feature !!
TIA

You have to download MSN toolbar (you can disable most of the toolbar functions, but you then get browsing).

Firefox will not remain safe from viruses forever, nor will it ever become the standard. It's a nice little toy, but it doesn't seem demonstrably better, IMO. I don't have virus problems with IE and Firefox will not remove the need to look for spyware and viruses on a regular basis anyway.

 

[thinkerbell]

IE crashes on our computer on a regular basis. Not sure why. We now use Firefox and --voila--no more crashes.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Security wise, it's better for your computer than relying on IE. IE has all sorts of security flaws that allow unknown websites to install software (that could be harmful) on your computer, sometimes without even asking you. Firefox is also a standards-compliant browser, whereas IE adds it's own extensions to the HTML standard. (sadly, people design for IE, which results in some pages looking absolutely great in IE, and horrible on other browsers)

That's the real deal. But, Firefox has TONS of free tools to further improve what it does. They are called extensions, and this, beyond the security issue, is where Firefox REALLY shines! It makes the browser so unique to what you want to do. And all are FREE, to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Galahad]

That's the real deal. But, Firefox has TONS of free tools to further improve what it does. They are called extensions, and this, beyond the security issue, is where Firefox REALLY shines! It makes the browser so unique to what you want to do. And all are FREE, to the best of my knowledge.

I tried a lot of the extentions and they seemed like fun little wiz-bangs but not very useful in the long run - and most of the useful ones you can get that functionality by using google tool bar, or yahoo toolbar, or even msn toolbar.

 

[dmslush]

I LOVE firefox. I finally quit using IE because of a browser highjacker (I guess that is what it is called). I think computer software companies need to realize that not everyone is a techie. I want to get on the internet, I want to work in word, etc.. I don't want to have to put a lot of time and energy in to learning about all of the extentions, patches, etc.. I just want to relax and have a little fun. Firefox lets me do that.

 

[ladycollector]

I love FireFox, I like some of the little features and imo it loads pics faster.

 

[Shutterbug]

They say that Firefox blocks pop ups but I still get them where as the google pop up blocker for IE blocks them..and yes I have run 3 spyware programs and am clear.

 

[N.Bailey]

I prefer Mozilla Firefox because it seems that most of the hackers are trying to hack their way into IE. I also think there are less popups with Firefox than IE. I don't believe this will always be the case, but for now, it's working for me. If things change, I'll be the 1st to try something else. I really don't enjoy browsing with IE at all anymore, but I'm willing to try the new kid on the block should another browser become available that's pretty equivalent to these 2.

 

[Forevryoung]

I loved firefox but discovered Opera (free as well) and that is what i use daily. It took a little getting use to but I have NO more popups. At all, ever. It has the tabbed windows as well. The best part is that if you close the program instead of closing a tab (which I seem to do pretty frequently) you can restart Opera to the "last screen viewed" which will bring up all the tabs/websites you had on your screen. It loads pretty fast and has no issues loading multiple pages simultaneously.

I have come across 2 sites in my travels that are unsupported by Opera but I just use firefox for those.

It's nice that we finally have options for browsing.

 

[oogieboogie]

I have all three on all the computers at home - IE, Firefox, and Opera. Why? Because it's good backup. I've had times when I lost IE to spyware and had to fix it. I would then use F or O to go search for the cure.

Last week I spent 2 hours on O trying to clean out a spyware that was infesting IE and Firefox. Opera didn't get hit with it so it was the one browser I could use to research the cure.

I like Firefox and Opera a lot and those are the ones that I use the most. IE is pretty much just a standby browser now on the computers at home.

 

[jfulcer]

You have to download MSN toolbar (you can disable most of the toolbar functions, but you then get browsing).

Firefox will not remain safe from viruses forever, nor will it ever become the standard. It's a nice little toy, but it doesn't seem demonstrably better, IMO. I don't have virus problems with IE and Firefox will not remove the need to look for spyware and viruses on a regular basis anyway.

lol, a toy? That's funny. I have to admit though - IE makes me a TON of money. I charge people to come and remove the crap they get on their computer because they are browsing with IE. No, I'm not the Best Buy geek squad, I just do it on the side. The funny thing is after I clean someone's machine I install firefox and tell them to use that instead. Of course, that customer never calls me again to un-hijack their computer, but they tell their friends...I clean their IE crap up.... Well you get the picture.

And hey, I know Firefox has it's problems too. I've had to update numerous times, but if a problem is discovered in Firefox the developers have it fixed and released in days while those of you with IE have to wait a month or so. Yeah, it's never going to become mainstream - but I can tell you (as a web developer by trade) it's nicer to program for. Currently all the Web developers I know make their sites Firefox safe - oh and IE too.