by Kathryn E.
Member since:
January 15, 2006

Mozilla Firefox Anyone? Upside, Downside, or Just Neutral?

June 05, 2006 01:12 AM EDT
views: 128 | comments: 74
Recently, I downloaded Firefox, as part of a larger Google download, which took all night; the Google download included 6 progarms, such as Picasa, Google Desktop, Google Earth and others...

We've switched from IE to Firefox as our default browser, and I have to say - Firefox IS faster. Has anyone noticed any downsides (or upsides)  in switching from IE to Firefox as default browser?

Anything you think I need to watch out for? We've got an HP Media Center PC,  Pentium 4, new this past December, with great specs... IE 7 was quirky and slow and frequently froze.

With Firefox, so far so good, the first 24 hours.
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Comments: 74

Student X Jun 5, 2006, 1:17am EDT
haha, Kathryn, wait it out a bit. I'm just finishing an article about this very subject. lol
Bert B. Jun 5, 2006, 1:20am EDT
I converted to Firefox from IE about a year ago...made it my default browser. Ah'll nevah go back to IE!
Student X Jun 5, 2006, 1:22am EDT
one word, tabbed browsing
Student X Jun 5, 2006, 1:23am EDT
oops that's two words
Jake S. Jun 5, 2006, 1:27am EDT
It's amazing that IE doesn't have tabbed browsing. When I occasionally use IE and the only choice is to open a new window it just seems completely antiquated.

I use Firefox almost exclusively and pretty much everybody I know that claims to know anything about tech does too.

It's definitely faster and, based on what I hear, much more secure than IE.
Jonathon D. C. Jun 5, 2006, 1:29am EDT
Faster, secure, much more extensible/configurable... I use it exclusively for just about everything. :)
Jake S. Jun 5, 2006, 1:32am EDT
For anyone that doesn't know what we're talking about, Firefox is a web browser just like Internet Explorer is a web browser. It's just a home base you use for surfing the web.

It is really easy to download Firefox and switch to it from Internet Explorer. You just download it for free and away you go. You can easily import all of your existing bookmarks from Internet Explorer to Firefox.

I highly recommend switching.

You can download Firefox here for free.
Madame Donna C. Jun 5, 2006, 1:37am EDT
Hey, Jake that link didn't work for me.
Madame Donna C. Jun 5, 2006, 1:38am EDT
Oh and I'm an internet idiot so can you explain what i should do or where I should go to download it?
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:38am EDT
Joshua, be sure to point me to your Firefox article when you're done.
Bert, so glad you have the experience with Firefox. I'll never go back, either.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:41am EDT
Here is a link, everyone that I just found to download Firefox
http://www.downloadfirefox.net/
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:42am EDT
Josh, what is 'tabbed browsing' mean?
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:44am EDT
Jake, I've been hearing that about Firefox and security, too. In truth, I heard about Mozilla first at MIT back about 7 years ago when it was being developed. I've been reading about it for a couple of years, but somehow thought it was more complicated than it really is. People I know have been using it, so, when i saw it was included in this Google package download, I went for it...It like its speed, simplicity...Also its "History" enables me to go back to the recent Gather articles quickly. IE has "History" too, but Firefox is easier.
Stephalicious B. Jun 5, 2006, 1:47am EDT
You really DO NOT want to use IE. IE has a bunch of security holes, and you open yourself up to spyware using IE.

Firefox is *much* better. There's no comparison.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:47am EDT
Jake, I tried your link. It doesn't work.
Donna C., I just posted a link that should work:
http://www.downloadfirefox.net/
Madame Donna C. Jun 5, 2006, 1:49am EDT
Ok, thanks Kathryn.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:50am EDT
Stephanie, you are SO right about the security holes. When I worked at MIT a few years ago, for the W3C (the people who invented the web this is what they told us: Don't use Outlook, Don't use IE, use Netscape (no other choice, back then. MS has Security Holes, they told us. I've always believed that Gates put in the holes deliberately so he could reverse engineer software programs...
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:50am EDT
Donna C., so let me know if it works...
Student X Jun 5, 2006, 1:52am EDT
Okay, you know how if you're surfing the web and you want to open up a new page without opening up an entirely new page. Mozilla has this great option called tabbed browsing that allows you to open them all in the same page. Also, firefox is open source, so a lot of peopel have made a lot of really great plugins. One of the plugins, and this is important if you are a web developer, can even open up IE within the firefox browser. Also, google likes Firefox an awful lot. They do a lot of joint integration type things.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:54am EDT
Josh, thanks for that. I really think open source is the future; the users will determine that to be the case. I've just found something from the Firefox page, I'll paste for people.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 1:56am EDT
Pasted from a Firefox page:

Firefox has been Updated

You are running Firefox with the latest updates for stability and security.
Did you know about...
Firefox Tabs
Tabbed Browsing

Use tabbed browsing to open multiple Web pages in a single browser window, and quickly flip back and forth. Drag and drop open tabs to keep related pages together.
Customize Firefox

Select new button controls for your toolbars, install extensions to add new features, or change the look of your browser with themes - the way Firefox looks and works is under your control. Explore the hundreds of free customizations available at Firefox Add-ons.
Gerald S. Jun 5, 2006, 2:28am EDT
I've been using Firefox since before it was called Firefox (I think it was called Phoenix, then?) and used the Mozilla Suite before that. The Suite was somewhat complicated; as I understand it, one of the goals of the Firefox project was to create a simpler, more streamlined program. I can't imagine going back to IE as my primary browser. Tabbed browsing, extensions, open source... Firefox has IE beat, hands down.

The only caveat I can think of is that I have come across the rare website that uses Active X controls (similar to plugins, which run in your browser) and doesn't fully support Firefox. But this doesn't happen often. Even less often, I come across a site which (usually erroneously) serves up a page saying that my browser isn't supported. This is usually the fault of outdated or poorly written browser-detection scripts, however, and I haven't run into this problem in months.

Those are really minor issues, less relevant every day, and shouldn't deter anyone from using Firefox.

And by the by, Mozilla's email client, Thunderbird, kicks other email clients' collective derrières.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 2:36am EDT
G.S., no wonder I thought Mozilla sounded complicated, back then. It was. I've just discovered what the tabbed browsing feature is. Fantastic. We're definitely NOT going back. Ever. I doubt I'll run across much of the problem you describe occasionally , since you find it only occasionaly, on outdated or poorly written browser-detection scripts? Are you familiar, btw, with the early browers Arena or Opera? I'll have check out Thunderbird. We use Earthlink, which is dialup...We like some of its features and want to keep our email addies...I know Earthlink has its own DSL package; don't know how easy that would be in our particular neighborhood to install...I don't see a box, for example..Our phone wires are practically in the trees...
Kathryn, et. al - I know nothing about programming. Do I need to in order to use Firefox? And are there any advantages/ disadvantages for someone like me swapping from IE to Firefox?

Magi
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 5:50am EDT
Firefox is the anwer to your dreams, Magi. Just go here: http://www.downloadfirefox.net/
to download...VERY easy. NO disadvantages. My 15-year-old daughter switched yesterday from IE to Firefox; we will NEVER switch back. It's faster, has easier browsing and is MUCH better... Let me know how you like it...
Jeff M. Jun 5, 2006, 5:58am EDT
I just got a Mac, and it came with Safari as the browser. But some websites (like Yahoo's new design) didn't recognize it. So I downloaded Firefox. That was about a week ago, and I've been happy. Safari seems to be more bare bones. Firefox has some neat bells and whistles. My favorite is the tabbed browsing -- instead of opening a whole new browser, you keep just one open but can have multiple tabs open at the top. That way your screen doesn't get cluttered with browsers.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 6:46am EDT
Yes, Jeff M., I like tabbed browsing, too. Have 10 tabs open, currently. Also, "History" is good and easier than trying to use "History" on IE...With Gather, it is convenient to be able to switch quickly.
Deborah W. Jun 5, 2006, 6:54am EDT
I love Firefox. I don't have problems with it. What I DO have a problem with is: many web sites only work correctly if you're using IE -- I find that bothersome.
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jun 5, 2006, 7:09am EDT
I am glad to see more Gatherites using Firefox. A few months ago, I wrote a detailed article on Firefox, IE and Safari, and identified the essential Firefox extensions (plug-in tools) for Gather users. Unfortunately, there were not enough Firefox users at the time that I wrote it, so I will need to dig it out and republish. I also created the FireFox users group, so feel free to post any questions there that you may have!
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jun 5, 2006, 7:17am EDT
Rick Meyer also wrote an article about Firefox extensions for Gather users (it was published to the Firefox Users group), but is not entirely accurate, and is now outdated, as some of the extensions he refers to have been significantly changed. I will dig out my article and republish it to the group.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 7:18am EDT
Ooh, Deborah W., that doesnt sound pleasant, at all. I wonder if some plugins might help. I see Kevin V. below has written ar article on Firefox extensions.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 7:20am EDT
Kathleen, good to know that Safari works well for you.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 7:21am EDT
Kevin, good to know about your article. I'll get it and post a link in my article.
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jun 5, 2006, 7:32am EDT
I will also republish it to the Tips and Tricks group, as it does detail techniques to make using Gather a little easier as well....
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 8:03am EDT
Sounds good, Kevin.
Edward Nudelman Jun 5, 2006, 8:42am EDT
Kathryn, we've used Mozilla for over a year now and love it. It's great for screening spam, but was better early on that it is now. As is usually the case, once gets better known, then more attention and spammers, etc. But still, we like best. No problems with downtimes or slow speeds.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 8:45am EDT
Ed, great to know it stands the test of time. I'm amazed at its blazing speed. We're on dialup, so speed increments are important; for us, browsing is like cable - lightening quick, which was not true with IE....
Aileen F. Jun 5, 2006, 8:55am EDT
I have used Firfox for a long time! I only use IE under extreme duress. The only problem I have had with Firefox (and with Netscape prior) is memory hogging. I don't know if it is something I can change a setting for, but Firefox doesn't free memory up as it goes along, and after a while it freese up. But, I am extremely hard on browsers, I can have 5 or 6 windows going at a time. Can we say "attention deficit?"
Fletcher Hawkins Jun 5, 2006, 8:58am EDT
I'm proud to say that I have hated IE all its life, and converted to Netscape as soon as it emerged. I believe one of the features I use could be called "tabbed browsing." Is Firefox significantly better than Netscape?
Aileen F. Jun 5, 2006, 9:26am EDT
Fletcher, I swore by Netscape until I met Firefox. Firefox seems faster, although I haven't used Netscape on cable, and I have fewer problems with memory hogging and freezing up.
△△△ Katrina V. Jun 5, 2006, 9:50am EDT
Firefox all the way! There are so many great things you can do with it, that you can't with IE. Plus, does it need to be said, they are not Microsoft.

A really great feature of firefox are the extensions. I just pulled up my list and here are the ones I use:
ColorZilla (helps you pick the exact color value from a web page)
Whois (useful if you want to see who owns a site)
Colorful tabs (mentioned above but I'll repeat; an excellent feature)
Answers (gets you definitions quickly)
Screengarb (takes a shot of the entire web page and saves it as a pic)
LinkedIn Companion (very nice if you used LinkedIn)
Web Developer (helps you see image tags, javascript, etc)

And the most useful of all for anyone with more than one computer-
FOXMARKS BOOKMARK SYNCHRONIZER
This awesome tool allows you to synch your bookmarks between computers. No more emailing yourself a link to look at later.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 9:51am EDT
I think the memory problem could have something to do with how much virtual memory you have; i think we have 1 GB, which was a far cry from 128 (a 1998 computer) prior to December. I've had 12 windows open on the tab with this one, and still blazing fast.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 9:53am EDT
Fletcher, don't know how Netscape is THESE days, but Firefox is probably better than ANYTHING on the market. Open source may eventually just trump all proprietary programs...Wouldn't that be a shame for Bill Gates?
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 9:55am EDT
Wow, thanks, Katrina for the list of extensions you use. They do sound fantastic !!!
martin weiss Jun 5, 2006, 11:02am EDT
I am using firefox right now. No probs. But I still use IE for some things, like utilities I set up when I first bought this HP PC. I use Yahoo browser for email, because its simpler to go to my mail, but firefox and google are my current browser and homepage.
computer semi-literate,
marty
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 11:17am EDT
We have an HP, too. I really hate how the HP Update Agent keeps running. If things get bogged, it's the first thing I check...I'll have to check out the utilities question. Thanks, Martin.
Stephalicious B. Jun 5, 2006, 12:43pm EDT
For those few sites that force people to use IE still...I'd like to reward them by leaving the website and going to one that's better designed. Only if I absolutely MUST to use an IE site will I bother with it.

For the most part, it is not an issue.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 12:54pm EDT
Thanks, Stephanie. I will keep that in mind.
Gerald S. Jun 5, 2006, 1:54pm EDT
Kathryn - I have to admit I've not heard of the Arena browser. I used Opera for a while before becoming a bonafide Firefox convert; it was (and I assume still is) an excellent browser. I probably would have gone with Opera back then if it hadn't been free only in an ad-supported version.

Those browser detection scripts (which result in being taken to a page saying something like, "We're sorry, but this site requires Internet Explorer," rather than the actual content) are almost entirely a thing of the past. Sites requiring Active X are more common, but still rare. And you can always switch to IE if you absolutely have to use such a site. So, no, I doubt they'll be much of a problem.
Gerald S. Jun 5, 2006, 1:58pm EDT
By the by, Opera had the much-vaunted tabbed-browsing feature before it was introduced in Mozilla, if memory serves. I think Mozilla's various broswer projects incorporated quite a few of Opera's innovations.
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 5:13pm EDT
G.S., Dave Raggett, the architect of HTML, was the main architect for Arena, back in the 90s, before or during his time at the W3C. Hakon Lie was the architect of the Opera browser. I'm not sure but perhaps Arena might have even been a precursor to Opera, which was, as you say, a partial precursor to Mozilla Firefox. Here is a link I got off Google when searching for "Dave Raggett" "W3C" "Arena" "Opera." (I worked with Dave Raggett at MIT and also copyedited his book, "Raggett on HTML 4.0".
Link: www.bilkent.edu.tr/pub/WWW/People/W3Cpeople.html
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 5:17pm EDT
Mozy, I find Firefox to be much faster than IE 7...Gmail is very popular, I use it sometimes, but mostly I use Earthlink, which is compatible with Firefox. Am very glad for everyone's input here - another way in which input from all helps to inform everybody...
Will Outlook Express and gmail also work with Firefox or aren't these affected at all by the platform you use to browse the net? Will Google also operate on Firefox?

Magi
Kathryn E. Jun 5, 2006, 9:07pm EDT
Magi, gmail definitely works with Firefox. Google, too. You can get Firefox from Google, as part of a larger download..Outlook Express is likely bundled directly with XP; not sure of your answer. You can try and see. Does anyone know if Outlook Express work with Firefox?
Jose Wolfster M. Jun 6, 2006, 2:05am EDT
excellent firefox, one word,,,FAST...yep I have had it for along long, long time over a year:) welcome to the future:)
Kathryn E. Jun 6, 2006, 3:05am EDT
Jose, yes, Firefox seems VERY FAST...Agreed, it seems to be the future !!!
Robert Leaverton Jun 6, 2006, 5:44pm EDT
I use Mozilla Firefox because it is not a Microsoft product. I am pleased with this search engine.

RKL
Kathryn E. Jun 7, 2006, 12:50am EDT
RKL - An excellent reason, to be sure !!! Here, in my family, we all love it !!!
Digital Dogs Jun 8, 2006, 5:47am EDT
Firefox is faster than Exploder, but it's slower for downloads on a fast connection. You must have a dial-up if it took you so long to download the whole FF suite. Because of it's more powerful pop-up blocker I have to sue Exploder when downloading images/large files and when paying my bills.
Kathryn E. Jun 8, 2006, 6:53am EDT
Yes, Digital, we have dial-up; the whole wuite was 6 products; it was worth it. Just let it run all night...Thanks for the tip about paing bills; I'd not thought of that.
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jun 8, 2006, 11:57pm EDT
I have been away (mostly) from Gather for the past few days, gathering elsewhere. Hopefully you are still enamored with Firefox. I will dig up and republish that Firefox/IE article as soon as I can. I'm off now to wade through the pages of spam in my Gather inbox!
Kathryn E. Jun 9, 2006, 4:45am EDT
Good luck with the Spam (or Spather) on Gather, Kevin. Must be a lot !! Yes, I'm still enamored of Firefox. Republishing that article would be a great service for Gatherers, Gatherites and Gatheristas.
Heather Dichter Jun 10, 2006, 5:32am EDT
Firefox is totally the best.... and with the themes and extensions, it's really great. Have you seen forecastfox? It uses accuweather and shows you the forecast (and updates the current weather and the next two days) without ever having to go to the actual webpage! The bonus part is that it even lets you use non-US places, too!

But tabbed browsing is really great, especially when doing lots of ressearch online and checking sites against one another (you know, for who has the better deal on the book or dvd you want to buy....)

Glad to hear you made the switch, Kathryn!
Kathryn E. Jun 10, 2006, 9:43am EDT
Heather, did not know about forecastfox...that sounds good...I'll look into it. Yes, tabbed browsing is the best...Someteimes, I've got a dozen tabs running, switching between them....
Kathryn E. Jun 10, 2006, 9:50am EDT
Gretel, that is veyr good information for Mac users: runs well on your Mac, plus the extension, ADBLOCK PLUS. Thank you...I'm actually looking for more information on extensions. I think Kevin V. has the information I'm looking for.
Sean Paul Kelley Jun 10, 2006, 4:39pm EDT
IE sucks. Firefox rox!
Kathryn E. Jun 11, 2006, 12:12am EDT
Sean-Paul, Firefox rox fer sure !!!
Cynthia B. Jun 17, 2006, 1:13pm EDT
Only one complaint about Firefox, but it has to do with Apple's latest version of QuickTime and how it will not work on most sites if I use Firefox. I have a Mac running Panther (v 10.3.9) and I would like to know how I can make QT work on Firefox...though it seems to work just fine on Gather, it doesn't work on other sites.

Help!!!!
Kathryn E. Jun 18, 2006, 12:24am EDT
Cynthia, have you contacted Kevin V.? He has an article about Firefox, I think, that he is working on or has published...Maybe he has some good advice for QuickTime...
Summer Foovay Jun 18, 2006, 3:06am EDT
Switched to Firefox a few months ago. Had it for awhile on the old computer, which I use to check websites in different browsers and screen sizes to make sure they look good in all of them. Since I put Firefox in, my daily run of Adaware picks up substantially fewer problems, and the SpyBot just keeps tellin' me - the computer is clean, clean, clean. Give me Firefox any day. I plug it on all my websites now, too.
Kathryn E. Jun 18, 2006, 6:10am EDT
Summer, good to know that Firefox is helpful. Thanks.

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