choosing web browsers

[gizmo]

I need to update my browser, currently IE5.x.

Can anyone please give me advice, suggestions about choosing between a newer version of IE, compared to Firefox or Safari?

This is for an older laptop, well past useby date, so a browser that is economical of memory and other system resources, and faster to load pages over a slow connection, would be what I am looking for.

Thanks

Chris.

 

[qsd-dan]

I have never used Safari, but Firefox is a thousand times better than IE. I used to use Netscape, but it has really gone down hill after the 8.0 version came out.

 

[j2400]

For speed, the best choice is probably Opera.

Opera has a long history of running on hardware that's past it's sell-by date. I believe Opera still runs on Windows 95! Opera is often chosen when making a limited resources Linux distribution.

They are also one of the only choices when it comes to allowing easy photo/image management. You can block images, then click a button to have the images for a given page load. (I used this feature a lot when I only had a modem connection!)

There are some intelligent touches that you can't get elsewhere, or can only get by adding some sort of "add on."

Opera also has good security--apparently, they claim zero security holes.

The one problem with Opera is site compatibility. Opera can't handle all sites. Most are OK...but there's enough of a problem where I couldn't get by with Opera as my one and only browser.

But in a situation faced with speed issues, Opera would be very attractive as the day-in, day out browser, with something else to handle the occasional "problem" site.

Bottom line: I've seen faster browsers. But Opera has the best balance between speed, features real people need, features that are nice to have, and ability to decently render a page.

Opera Web Browser | Faster, Safer, Smarter | Opera

Faster, safer and smarter than default browsers. Fully-featured for privacy, security, and so much more. Get the faster, better Opera browser for free.

www.opera.com

 

[panthera]

If you

require compatibility to all sites, Firefox or IE are the only option.
Opera is very good with older software and slower processors.
Safari for Windows has proven to be less than reliable. This is unfortunate for two reasons. First, Apple software for Windows is usually the best there is. Second, on a Mac platform Safari is one of the easiest to use and best browsers.

Personally, I use Firefox with Windows. The latest version is considerably less memory and power hungry than previous versions and you may find it works quite well on less well endowed equipment.

Speaking of which, as long as you are running a Pentium III, 1g or higher, any slowness is a factor of memory or graphics processing, not the CPU.

By all means do take a look at your security settings. Browsers are a pretty weak first line of defense without solid firewalls, phishing, spoofing and anti-viral protection. That also goes for Macs...

 

[j2400]

Some Words About Mozilla, Firefox, Netscape, And More, Sure

Firefox is based off of Mozilla code. Mozilla has its roots in Netscape. I think it's ironic that Firefox is hurting IE, given that IE killed Netscape.

I use Firefox a lot. Usually, these days, it's my first choice. It's often a default choice in Linux (what I use for the Internet.) What's nice about Firefox is that it seems to render just about everything. There are, it's claimed, pesky pages that won't work--but they are rare. I don't think I've ever seen one.

Problem with Firefox--it's typically one of the slower choices.

The code for Firefox is used in some other browsers. Some Mozilla (Seamonkey, an heir to the full Mozilla/Netscape "suite"), some not. The alternatives can, I've heard, be faster. In my own limited experience, I've felt that Seamonkey, at times, does seem a little faster.

As for Netscape, it's probably best to avoid it--it's no longer developed, or supported.

 

[j2400]

Let's take a safari to Safari Land

I've seen Safari a lot on Apple OS X. There, it's fast, and has some nice features. It may be the best choice for OS X.

I've seen in under Windows one time. As far as I could tell, it worked. I've heard it has decent enough speed. But then, many things work just fine One Time.

The experience is definitely different. It's like part of OS X got ripped out, and plopped down in the middle of Windows Mediocrity. Many people who have never used OS X will hate it. People who have a Mac, but are forced to use Windows might love it.

Here's a link from a Mac-friendly site, talking about Safari, making some comparisons, and concluding it won't be the big hit Apple would like:

Safari for Windows not a Slam Dunk Success

Safari for Windows not a Slam Dunk Success, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.06.19. Not only does Safari 3.0 beta for Windows exhibit some serious teething problems, but it doesn't look or act like a Windows app either.

lowendmac.com

 

[panthera]

Firefox

Has improved its load time and plugged the memory leak in the latest version, I am using it on an ancient Pentium III, 1g with only 512Mb Ram and it sails.
But yes, compared to Opera, it is not the fastest.
Funny, I never liked the Mozilla suites yet Firefox and Thunderbird are two of my very favorite programs.
The only website which seems to have a problem with Firefox (that I know of) is the www.nytimes.com. When you click on the scroll down tab, the dictionary opens. A minor bug, truly.
Gizmo, would a switch to a Linux distro specifically designed for older computers make your life easier?

 

[j2400]

Internet Explorer

Internet Exploder, er, Explorer has probably the best site compatibility, at least up through IE6. I've heard that IE7, which tries for standards compliance--real standards, not what Microsoft wants--has apparently caused a number of problems.

IE also has the best compatibility for viruses, spy ware, etc. Thus, many tech writers strongly suggest moving to something else, just for security.

You should be able to move up to at least IE 6--it works on Windows 98/NT and later. If you're using Windows (I imagine you are--IE stopped for the Mac at 5.x), IE 6 might be worth having. But given the security issue, I'd use something else as much as possible.

 

[panthera]

IE anything

I a security disaster.
I'm not a naive Macfan, working with Macs at the university has left me with a distaste for the mentality of that company and many of its hysterical defenders. But one thing Apple got right:
Security is the most important aspect of a browser.
Period.
When Safari was first released to Windows, a vast number of problems were identified within a few hours.
Apple got the 18 most serious fixed and a patch to fix them out within days.
Microsoft is still keeping the IE family's worst problems under lock and key hoping nobody will find them.
One thing worth considering, many IE plugins are very resource hungry. Acrobat Reader, for example is a nightmare on anything less than a 4ghz, quad-core running 8g Ram per core.
Foxit reader does the same thing, but works happily on Pentium IIIs with 256Mb ram. Same applies for Media Player Classic versus that monstrosity from Real (gods, I hate those people at Real, truly hate, loath and dispise them). Ditto for many plug-ins.
And don't get me started on IE and Norton. In all seriousness now, I have seen a 3.8g dual-core with 2g Ram/core slow down to 386 levels with that combo.

 

[panthera]

"is" not "I"

Tho' there are Macfans out there who'd take it as written...

 

[gizmo]

Thanks all.

Opera and/or Firefox sound good. Is there any reason I shouldn't install both and see which I prefer?

The computer concerned is our old laptop. Usually I use our newer one but at times the partner hogs the 'puter and I pull out the old one for net access. The older one runs winME, celeron processor, 192 Mb ram.

As ME is no longer supported I will consider changing to a Linux system eventually. So far the only hassle I have is that the printer (which is quite a new HP inkjet) won't work with ME. > I use the newer computer for printing. I am pretty comfortable with disembowelling washing machines but fiddling with computer software terrifies me, so I will stick with what works for a while longer...

thanks

Chris.

 

[j2400]

You can install more than one browser. There shouldn't be a problem. In fact, trying different software is a good idea--how else can one see what "fits"?

Moving past Windows ME would be a good idea--as you know, it's no longer supported. Plus, it's pretty much hated by everyone--until Vista came along, it was considered the worst Windows ever. Vista may be stealing that title, however.

If you want to stick with Windows, Windows 2000 might be a good move, if you can find a copy. It's still supported, and should be faster and more secure than Windows ME. XP has more choices, but is probably not as fast as 2000.

My preference is for Linux these days. Linux can be a hassle on laptops, sometimes, but that's gotten a lot better.

You can get a "live" CD distribution. Pop the CD into the CD drive, start the computer up, and you have Linux without doing a formal installation or changing anything on the hard drive. Some live CDs are painfully slow--I wouldn't seriously consider using an Ubuntu live CD, particularly on a Windows ME era computer. But some, like Puppy Linux, are fast, and could probably run happily on a Windows ME era computer.

http://www.puppylinux.com/

 

[whirlcool]

I find that Firefox 3.0 seems to run slightly slower on my machine than version 2.0 did. I'm running a Pentium D Dual Core with 2GB ram, XP Home.
I also noted additional security options built in to it, such as website blocking to websites which may have a virus.

 

[j2400]

One thought that came to me after my last post is that Windows ME will have limitations with what will run. Both Safari and Firefox 3 require XP or later.

Firefox 2 and Opera should be OK on Windows ME.

 

[nurdlinger]

Multiple Browsers

I'm a big advocate of different browsers for different purposes. I still have an ancient copy of Netscape (4.something) that I use for Myspace and/or Xanga, because it can't get overwhelmed by the display excesses on those pages. I keep Internet Explorer for pages which will not display correctly except on IE. I used Opera for years as the "daily driver" because it was small and fast compared to the others. I started using Firefox for that purpose in 2005 because of the ability via plugins to stomp out advertising and unwanted pop-up windows. I upgraded to Firefox 3 for about a day then dropped back to 2 over some trivial things which would be of no consequence to others.

 

[autowasherfreak]

FireFox

I have been using FireFox for about the past 4 years or so. I have never been a huge fan of IE, and I don't care much for Windows Vista either. The one thing that I really like about FireFox are the add-ons. The one I really like the most, and I can't remember the name will allow me to download videos from Youtube. FireFox doesn't seem to crash as much as IE does either.

 

[powerfin64]

my choice...

is Safari. My partner showed me how much better and more responsive Sarfari, and Im a true believer. I won't go back to IE6. Theres no comparisen . I haven't had any problems at all since he downloaded it.
I'd give ita try..

Rich

 

[jonv112]

I use Firefox on all of my computers, Mac or PC. I only occasionally use Safari on my Mac if I visit a site that seems to be having a problem with Firefox so I try to view it using Safari. I think while Safari may be faster, I find that Firefox is better for opening and managing tabs during tabbed browsing. The Google search bar suggests as you type, and you can add other search engines as well. Add-ons are a big plus too (Facebook toolbar is my favourite). But stay away from IE at all costs.

 

[gizmo]

THANKS

many thanks, especially to j2400.

I am now using Opera on this old computer.

I am amazed how fast and easy it was to install. Not one single hassle. Loaded and self-installed in under 10 minutes.
No crashes, no anxious searching for help files, no smoke coming from computer (yet).

I chose Opera because Firefox 3 appears not to be compatible with Windows ME (is that correct for sure?) and firefox 2 is only supported till December 08. Choosing Opera means I won't have to update operating system for a while and that sounds really scary.

It even carried across all my favourites from IE to its bookmarks list. I had thought I'd have to start again.

Thanks again I am really grateful.

Chris.