Browser Annoyances

Today I went to Google Update (which I start from the Google Pack so I can select/deselect options) on one of my machines to ensure I had the latest versions of some toolbars quickly. While doing this, I made the mistake of allowing Firefox to update as well.

Now I like Firefox (although I use Google's Chrome as my default browser). It has a wide range of add-ins, some of which I use often.

I re-discovered two annoyances that countered the "quick" intent in this process.

Firefox does not check for plug-in/add-in updates on everything immediately. I had to restart several times, run the add-in wizard, and uninstall several before the process was complete. While accessing this wizard is easy (it pops up automatically if something does not work, unlike having to find the wizard in IE8), I wish Firefox would restart without add-ins and give the option of enabling compatible elements rather than having to disable and remove incompatible ones.
Firefox set itself as my default browser. I have several on my machine and don't want Firefox as default. This forced me to enter the default browser and re-set its status. This may sound nit-picking ... but Gather loads much faster in Chrome on my machine.

Every application has its glitches, and these are relatively small.

Just a rant ....

Comments: 28

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 21, 2009, 1:27pm UTC

At least your computer didn't crash. That's what happened to me the first time I tried to install IE8. I had to do a lot of stuff to the computer before I could get IE8 to work properly. I'll have to check out Chrome or Firefox.

Debra C. Jul 22, 2009, 12:14am UTC

I only have IE8 on non-production machines ... it still doesn't seem to be ready for prime time (I've had to fix it on enough clients to be cautious).

reply to this comment

William Dotani Jul 21, 2009, 2:15pm UTC

I rarely do anything but write. I wouldn't know a glitch if I had one.

Debra C. Jul 22, 2009, 12:14am UTC

I bet you could rhyme "glitch" well, though.

William Dotani Jul 22, 2009, 1:26am UTC

If a glitch in a stitch would cause
A fight with Michael Vick's bitch
Nice doggie. Do I look like a treat?
Of which, I'm just a piece of meat*

(I know this would never be said by the male species or My Favorite Martian?)

Debra C. Jul 22, 2009, 10:10pm UTC

Michael Vick is out now, right? Let's hope he is distributing treats now instead of betting slips.

William Dotani Jul 23, 2009, 1:45am UTC

Maybe he can have a roadkill barbecue and make friends with his neighbors.

William Dotani Aug 4, 2009, 3:11am UTC

I somewhat feel sorry for Michael Vick. He has a lot on his plate and will be under the public microscope. I guess we'll see if he can multi-task. He needs to get over his bitterness and make a daily effort to improve his life until he can forgive all in his past. This is very tough and it will establish him or cause failure. It's his choice. I wish him well.

Debra C. Aug 4, 2009, 9:11am UTC

His debt is paid. Yes, let's wish him well.

reply to this comment

Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jul 22, 2009, 9:07am UTC

Debra,

You can set up Firefox to work the way that you want it to. You can also launch Firefox without activating the add-ons. These options are often not very obvious though, which is one of Firefox's weaknesses.

Debra C. Jul 22, 2009, 1:13pm UTC

Good that you mentioned this, Kevin.

One of my annoyances with this update was that it reset my configurations to default (meaning all of these tried to load).

A client's machine, he uses Firefox as default browser, set his "web printer" to his fax machine --- I had to go into the config itself (for those who want to check this out, type about:config in the address line). The windows config was not, of course, touched.

Maybe the foundation's tester is on vacation.

William Dotani Jul 23, 2009, 1:52am UTC

I'm really out of touch because I haven't a clue what you are talking about and I'm fairly certain you are speaking the Queen's English. Maybe a cup of The Evil Addiction as you sort out all these specialized terms. What, you MENSA members? Personaly, I just want to write things totally original. Yes, I know it's like a daily birthday party. I'm now well past 365 years old! Would you believe it?

Debra C. Jul 23, 2009, 2:35am UTC

365 years William? No ... not if that is truly a picture of you.

reply to this comment

Leah A. Jul 22, 2009, 8:53pm UTC

I normally use Firefox, but it isn't my default browser. I really dislike when programs try to set themselves as the default when you update them. I also really dislike when then reset your homepage. I know it's an easy fix, but I just don't want to have to go through the hassle.

Thank you for submitting this to my group Computers and More.

Debra C. Jul 22, 2009, 10:11pm UTC

Yea -- I agree about the "hassle factor".

reply to this comment

Effervescent Mystique Jul 24, 2009, 9:36pm UTC

Thanks for the info, I'll have to look into it. Both my brother in laws are computer guys so if anything happens to my comp, my sis's bring their hubbys over and we have a night of it, full of good food, wine, jeopardy, and him fixing my computer.

reply to this comment

Margy Rydzynski Jul 27, 2009, 12:33am UTC

Firefox is a pretty stable and fast browser. The add-ons aren't always updated, since they're created by third parties who may or may not upgrade their software to remain compatible. There are preferences you can set in the browser that will tell Firefox not to automatically upgrade. However, most of the upgrades are security-related (which is why Firefox is more secure than IE, or so I think), so having them installed is a good idea. The product is always improving, getting faster, getting safer. Try going to Tools - options on the menu. There should be dialogue boxes for tweaking the browser to your liking.

Debra C. Jul 27, 2009, 3:23am UTC

The problems I mentioned here could not be fixed from the Menu, Margy ... had to drill down in the config. I do like Firefox overall most of the time. This was more of a rant about them forgetting to do some reasonable testing on this release.

Debra C. Jul 27, 2009, 3:24am UTC

I find if something happens on 5% or more of the machines I interact with (clients or my own), it is sometimes worth dropping hints on the problems and where to fix them.

Margy Rydzynski Jul 27, 2009, 11:00am UTC

Yes, so true. Sometimes I wish the testing phase would go on longer. Something in the config sounds like more than the average tweak.

Debra C. Jul 27, 2009, 11:07am UTC

Yes, those are geek tweaks.

Margy Rydzynski Jul 27, 2009, 11:18am UTC

Yes, sounds like it. I use Chrome too, from time to time, but Firefox is my main browser. Chrome's nice and fast, I'll admit, but everything I need is on FF

reply to this comment

Christine Zibas Jul 31, 2009, 2:33pm UTC

I like Firefox, but it shouldn't take over like that.

Debra C. Jul 31, 2009, 6:33pm UTC

Of course IE has "taken over" for years, so there is precident.

reply to this comment

Nurse Nancy S. Aug 1, 2009, 4:20pm UTC

I wasnot pleased with FireFox

reply to this comment

Debra C. Aug 1, 2009, 4:48pm UTC

For those considering whether to use Firefox or not from this post, I have another hint.

Using Google Update or another "updater" service will have a greater tendency to install certain defaults. If you download Firefox (currently 3.5.1) from the Mozilla page, there is a little box on the lower left-hand corner of one of the setup screens that lets you not set Firefox as the default browser (you don't see this windows when an updater installs for you).

reply to this comment

Marsha C. Jan 19, 2010, 12:04pm UTC

with all the trouble I am having with firefox, sounds like I need to give Chrome a try!

Debra C. Jan 19, 2010, 1:41pm UTC

If you haven't updated to the latest Firefox version (and updated all of your add-ins) I would do that first -- but I am getting more and more customers on Chrome that are very happy with it.

reply to this comment

Browser Annoyances

Comments: 28

Join the Conversation