Just wondering if anybody was using firefox for their IE instead of Microsoft. Is it anygood. If I don't like it can I do a system restore to use my old microsoft IE. Thanks
Richard

You can actually run them side by side - I do. Microsoft doesn't allow you to completely remove Internet Explorer (it's a core application and can't be deleted) but you can install any number of web browsers.

Thanks so much InlandAZ.
Richard

I mostly use firefox and like it

I use only Firefox unless I need to do something at the Microsoft website that requires me to use IE.

In my opinion you should always have backup browsers in case something goes very bad with your browser and it has happened to me before, especially IE that is the one I only use for emergencies. I have PC and Vista Home Premium and no problems.

Don't laugh but I believe better be safe than sorry so here are all the browsers I have installed, Firefox is my main one though. If anyone has another for me to try let me know.

I like switching the browsers they have different advantages. Opera is faster for me than firefox. Apple Safari has cool way of saving best websites.

Firefox
IE seldom used just don't trust it.
Opera
Apple Safari
Google Chrome
Orca Browser
Avant

As long as we are mentioning alternative browsers, don't forget about SeaMonkey.
http://www.seamonkey-project.org/

This browser is descendant from Netscape and Mozilla. It uses the same core as Firefox but is a suite that includes a browser, email & newsgroup access, web site error checking, an html editor, and more. It can also use add-ons one of which simulates Microsoft's IE for sites that don't adhere to W3C standards.

kjos -

We always use Firefox in lieu of IE. Firefox is much more customizable in the way you can change it appearance and drag site link onto a nav bar. There are so many useful pluggins for it that we just don't have the room for here.

Firefox is based on JAVA not ActiveX like Microsoft. Its the Active X controls that hackers and spyware site like to exploit.

There are photo uploaders for flickr, picasa etc etc that integrate with FF. All kinds of tools for IT types (which is my prof).

It's FREE!! It is supported !! It has a great following !! Just make sure "Flash" is up to date. Yea there are pluggins for it.

Also - take a look at Opera - also a very good - fast browser - FREE too!!

I will check out Sea monkey next. I agree though I love FF I have colored labels for each website and can design the browser with skins, it still is my favorite.

After reading this thread, and a few others, I decided to install FF and Opera. Whoa, what a difference.

What I noticed right off the bat was an increase in loading speed. Not only did FF and Opera load quicker but so did web pages. I toyed with both after installation and already see I've a lot to learn. Right now, I'm here on Opera. Boy...it ain't IE.

Opera is my favorite browser for a number of reasons, including its speed and the safety measures built in, and I love Speed Dial. Once you've used it...and probably most of the others mentioned here...you'll use IE only when you absolutely have to.

Gil.

Yes, Speed Dial is quite something. It's really handy to have your favorite sites selectable with a simple click of the mouse. Still, after using IE for so long Opera will take getting used to.

I only use IE when I have to-- and that is very rarely-- can't remember when actually. I like FF and after reading these posts I played around with colored tabs..lol what fun now my GameBoomers is Red.. my mail is pink facebook is Blue...etc... thanks for the tip.

Is Mozilla Firefox and Firefox the same browser?

yes

Homer6 and folks - If you really want to see some stuff you can do with Firefox - go "Tools" on the top bar then Add-ons and in the window that opens, check out the Themes tab and the add-ons. Check out all the Themes you can install.

Themes can change the way FF looks - and in the Add-ons - there's a ton of stuff available. Way too much stuff to cover in here.

If security is an issue, then got to that same "Tools" menu and select "Clear History" you will be able to cover all your tracks - no one will be able to see where you have been or run any exploits on saved filled in f web forms etc.

You can get a good idea of the most popular add-ons from the number of downloads. Also, you can see user reviews of the add-ons.

"Themes can change the way FF looks - and in the Add-ons - there's a ton of stuff available. Way too much stuff to cover in here."

Well, you can do the same with Opera. Skins and add-ons and, soon, stacked tabs when Opera 11 comes out of beta, even faster than it is now.

It's a shame that Explorer plods along behind the really good, alternative browsers out there, why I have no idea.

Gil.

Without a doubt - we use Opera and Firefox almost exclusively. The only time I need to fire up I.E is to get MS Updates.

I have been a Microsoft Pro since the 80's - I have always been a supporter of them. But within the past decade I have embraced the "Open-Source" world like Linux - FF, T-Bird, Opera, Open-Office the list goes on.

I have a feeling that MS - although still ranks # 1 in the desktop world - is keeping its fortune in the Gaming worls with XBox and in the Mobile device world. Just my thought.

You know what gets me, sureshot, is that my bank will not allow me access with Opera. It's "old" and "not secure". What I can use is...get this...Firefox, Explorer or Netscape Navigator!

Guess when I use Explorer. <g>

Of course, this is the same bunch that won't allow anything but letters and numbers in passwords. It makes you wonder who is making these brilliant decisions.

Gil.

Hi Traveler.

You can thank AOL for Firefox. Way back when - AOL used Netscape Navigator as their native browser. Around the late 1990's the GNU Project guys (Open-Source) were coming into play. AOL turned the development of Netscape over to them but they were working on a new browser called Mozilla. They kinda merged the 2 into what we have now - Firefox. Since the 2 have the same "parents" they are regarded in the same light.

Opera is a stand alone Browser, meaning it was developed by a Norwegian Telecommunications company back in the late 1990's also. It had a hard road up to get to where they are now.

Prior to version 8 or 9 of the Opera Browser, they didn't use any data protection layer that FF or even IE did. They did use SSL/TLS and 128 bit encryption though and were still based on Java and Java Script which doesn't have the security holes that IE ActiveX Controls has.

The new versions, Opera 10 - 11, is very secure - as secure as FF - but some of the old school guys may still not feel comfy with it yet. Could be why the bank isn't sold on it yet.

Opera is a great browser as you know. It is fast because it uses only one process to run and safe because it uses the same encryption schemes and data protection devices FF does.

I can't answer why they like just letters and numbers for passwords. Maybe they feel too many people will use dictionary words and names of their dogs etc - stuff that can be guessed. But if they set a minimum password length of no less than 10 characters - they shouldn't have a problem.

Oh well. I'm IT - we do work for major companies and the Gov. We like Opera and Firefox. We feel as secure as we could feel. Nothing is 100%