05-27-2010, 02:25 AM
Now that Internet Explorer is no longer the default browser on the Windows operating system, it maybe time to have a look at using another browser to surf the internet.
A browser is a program that enables you to view pages on the World Wide Web. You're using a browser now to read this article. And if you didn't know you're using a browser, I expect you're using the Internet Explorer browser! (It's the little 'e' symbol you click when you want to search for something.)
Ok, so why would I want to change my browser?
Well, all browsers have one common purpose and that is to enable you to view web pages. However, they all have pros and cons. The main disadvantage for Internet explorer is speed. It can take forever to open and a long time to open web pages. If this is causing you frustration - it's time to look at installing a new browser.
There are a lot of browsers out there. Below I've selected the main (best?) five and reviewed each. This is my personal opinion and you may find that what works for me, doesn't work for you. Personally, I like things to be simple to use and fast and not ask me stupid questions constantly or interrupt telling me about processes I have no interest in. I'm a pretty irritable person!
The five I have selected are: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera.
Internet Explorer - Still the most popular browser on the net but why?
While IE8 is no doubt a far superior browser to it's predecessors, it's still a very average browser, IMHO. Yes, it has a new navigation bar. Yes, it's better designed. Yes, it has tabbed browsing and so I'm informed it's much better with plug-ins and security. But, I don't care. It's so slow, I've had time for a wash and change by the time it's booted up. For this reason alone, I only use it when I absolutely have to. E.g. to check what a site I have designed looks like for most of the web population.
Firefox - Don't believe the hype
Firefox has been growing in popularity for some time. I have been using it for several years. And I can tell you that it is definitely the best browser for customising your web experience. There are thousands of plug-ins and add-ons allowing you to run split screen browsing, dedicated applications for social networking, language translation and to change the background colours of the browser. And do you know what? I don't care about that either.
Personally, I want to get onto the internet as soon as possible. If I want to check my Facebook page I'll log on. Ditto Twitter. In fact, I have these applications on my iPhone. So, I let them update me on that. My computer - I just want to get on and do some work as quickly as possible.
And here is the main problem with Firefox. While it used to be a pretty cool, fast browser, it's now bloated and slow. From my experience it's no quicker that Internet Explorer. And that's a cardinal sin for a browser.
Chrome - all that and a bag of chips
Now the third most popular browser, Google have been pushing this software pretty hard, advertising it everywhere. It has primarily been designed for speed. I rate it highly. I like the fact that it's basic and uncluttered. I love typing searches straight into the address bar - very cleverly thought out and a great space saver. But most of all, I love its speed. Boots up quickly and finds pages fast. What more do you need from a browser? Nothing, as far as I'm concerned. My number one choice. The Prada of browsers.
Safari - Not bad, but does anyone really care
I always found it difficult to get excited about the Safari browser. Although I have it installed on my computer (PC), I can rarely think of a reason to open it other than for work. (I design a lot of websites). I never use it for surfing. And I'm trying to think why that is.
The speed is average, it's relatively stable, the bookmarking is very good, it renders very well (web pages look nice in it), but the browser itself is pretty ugly.
And that's what I think it is. It does everything OK. But it isn't exceptional in any area as far as I'm concerned. Better than IE, but that's about all I can say about it.
Opera - Very good and not just for bearded weirdos
I've had opera installed on my computer since God was a lad. And much like Safari I never had much cause to play around with it other than work. But just lately, and probably because it's been in the press a lot, I'm getting to like it more and more. I like the functionality and it feels good to use. I really like the preview screen when you hover over a tab.
But mostly I like it because it's fast. Maybe as fast as Chrome - maybe faster. But this comes with a trade off on quality, because it doesn't render the web pages as nicely as other browsers. I suspect that is why it's a great application for the iPhone. The screen is smaller and a mobile device has less power and often connects over the 3G network - which is still rubbish for surfing the net. So, a small, fast browser is key. I'd put Opera as my 2nd choice.
That's my review of the top 5 most common browsers. If you haven't tried Google Chrome, you should. But why not give them all a try and find out for yourself? You'll be surprised how much difference it makes to your surfing experience. They all install quickly and they all uninstall even quicker, so it won't take up too much of your time to experiment....
A browser is a program that enables you to view pages on the World Wide Web. You're using a browser now to read this article. And if you didn't know you're using a browser, I expect you're using the Internet Explorer browser! (It's the little 'e' symbol you click when you want to search for something.)
Ok, so why would I want to change my browser?
Well, all browsers have one common purpose and that is to enable you to view web pages. However, they all have pros and cons. The main disadvantage for Internet explorer is speed. It can take forever to open and a long time to open web pages. If this is causing you frustration - it's time to look at installing a new browser.
There are a lot of browsers out there. Below I've selected the main (best?) five and reviewed each. This is my personal opinion and you may find that what works for me, doesn't work for you. Personally, I like things to be simple to use and fast and not ask me stupid questions constantly or interrupt telling me about processes I have no interest in. I'm a pretty irritable person!
The five I have selected are: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera.
Internet Explorer - Still the most popular browser on the net but why?
While IE8 is no doubt a far superior browser to it's predecessors, it's still a very average browser, IMHO. Yes, it has a new navigation bar. Yes, it's better designed. Yes, it has tabbed browsing and so I'm informed it's much better with plug-ins and security. But, I don't care. It's so slow, I've had time for a wash and change by the time it's booted up. For this reason alone, I only use it when I absolutely have to. E.g. to check what a site I have designed looks like for most of the web population.
Firefox - Don't believe the hype
Firefox has been growing in popularity for some time. I have been using it for several years. And I can tell you that it is definitely the best browser for customising your web experience. There are thousands of plug-ins and add-ons allowing you to run split screen browsing, dedicated applications for social networking, language translation and to change the background colours of the browser. And do you know what? I don't care about that either.
Personally, I want to get onto the internet as soon as possible. If I want to check my Facebook page I'll log on. Ditto Twitter. In fact, I have these applications on my iPhone. So, I let them update me on that. My computer - I just want to get on and do some work as quickly as possible.
And here is the main problem with Firefox. While it used to be a pretty cool, fast browser, it's now bloated and slow. From my experience it's no quicker that Internet Explorer. And that's a cardinal sin for a browser.
Chrome - all that and a bag of chips
Now the third most popular browser, Google have been pushing this software pretty hard, advertising it everywhere. It has primarily been designed for speed. I rate it highly. I like the fact that it's basic and uncluttered. I love typing searches straight into the address bar - very cleverly thought out and a great space saver. But most of all, I love its speed. Boots up quickly and finds pages fast. What more do you need from a browser? Nothing, as far as I'm concerned. My number one choice. The Prada of browsers.
Safari - Not bad, but does anyone really care
I always found it difficult to get excited about the Safari browser. Although I have it installed on my computer (PC), I can rarely think of a reason to open it other than for work. (I design a lot of websites). I never use it for surfing. And I'm trying to think why that is.
The speed is average, it's relatively stable, the bookmarking is very good, it renders very well (web pages look nice in it), but the browser itself is pretty ugly.
And that's what I think it is. It does everything OK. But it isn't exceptional in any area as far as I'm concerned. Better than IE, but that's about all I can say about it.
Opera - Very good and not just for bearded weirdos
I've had opera installed on my computer since God was a lad. And much like Safari I never had much cause to play around with it other than work. But just lately, and probably because it's been in the press a lot, I'm getting to like it more and more. I like the functionality and it feels good to use. I really like the preview screen when you hover over a tab.
But mostly I like it because it's fast. Maybe as fast as Chrome - maybe faster. But this comes with a trade off on quality, because it doesn't render the web pages as nicely as other browsers. I suspect that is why it's a great application for the iPhone. The screen is smaller and a mobile device has less power and often connects over the 3G network - which is still rubbish for surfing the net. So, a small, fast browser is key. I'd put Opera as my 2nd choice.
That's my review of the top 5 most common browsers. If you haven't tried Google Chrome, you should. But why not give them all a try and find out for yourself? You'll be surprised how much difference it makes to your surfing experience. They all install quickly and they all uninstall even quicker, so it won't take up too much of your time to experiment....