Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?

[XtremeZero]

Ok, I'm not sure this is a topic for the tech Forum, but maybe it belongs here:

I like microsoft alot. I use alot of their products, and I couldn't be more happier. Theres just one problem though. I can't seem to choose between useing Firefox or IE explorer. The only reason I wouldn't want to use firefox, is that I HATE tabbed browsing, and its not a offical microsoft product. Now, for Internet Explorer, I hear that theres alot of bad things about this browser. I've used it since I was 8 (I'm 15 Now, so...7 Years) and I've never had a problem with it, except when My brothers Put spyware on it because theyre so dumb. I have Spybot-Search and Destroy, and a Virus Scanner, and I use them everyday, and I never find anything. Now, Haveing firefox makes it so I don't need these programs. Thing is, I want them. I know I wouldn't download any spyware, or if there was a silent one, I would find and remove it. Alls I'm saying is that I wanna be a Microsoft Fanboy (Not the type that is snobby, careless, and Unwilling to try other stuff). What would you guys say I should do?

[Eriol]

Pros:

Tabbed browsing = optional. Open 50000 windows if you want. No NEED to use tabs unless you want to.

Much less vulnerable to spyware. And add to that the extensions which can block ads (adblock rocks), and you'll be MUCH less disturbed on the internet. Popups, etc are also gone (though all browsers are now fighting with the pop-unders, etc).

Most customizable. Don't like the skin? Find one you do like. Along with just about everything else.

Search box: Not just google, but just about every type of searching out there. There's even a thottbot option for up in the upper-right corner. Great for searching anything without actually having to go to a search page. Sure there's google toolbar, and other stuff like that, but this can integrate stuff from just about anywhere, cleanly in the UI, NOT looking tacked-on.

Cons:

Some pages don't load correctly: You'll almost never hit this with IE, whereas you WILL hit this with firefox. Damned rare, but still happens as IE "understands" non-standard MS stuff that FF doesn't. Only comes up on the VERY odd webpage using non-standard html.

ActiveX = gone: good because a lot of spyware uses that to get in, but bad if it's NEEDED on a site. Just fire up IE for that one site to do that if you REALLY need to go there.


I like FF/Mozilla. But hey, you DO have the choice. All I'd say is to D/L and try it out. If you don't like it, don't use it! But give it an honest (say one week) try, and not just the "this is unfamiliar, so it sucks" 5-minute trial.

[MrDigital]

I'm anxious to try out the new Netscape 8 when they release a public beta. Has built in rendering using both the FF and IE engines. Come across a site that Firefox doesn't like? It can switch gears to the IE engine without opening another browser.

http://browser.netscape.com/nsb/

Edit: I currently only use Firefox on Windows and Safari on Mac. If a site requires IE I usually don't visit unless it's Work Required.

[Klavias]

i only use firefox (unless i'm at work, some comps don't have it yet.).

for me IE is just too unsecure and retards using my computer get the poor thing virtual STD's. i've even removed most of the IE's from the start menues, the desktop and the quicklaunch trey, just so the aping tards don't find it on my computer and download more spyware for me.

and i heart tabbed browsing the most myself :)

[Iconorast]

firefox.

[Chibikhoi]

firefox...

I love firefox, the cons outweigh the pros. Without firefox I could have had aa trojan or two.

[Mutton]

I've been using Mozilla (the same engine driving Firefox and the original engine in Netscrape) for the past 4 years and don't have any complaints. Granted I still need to open I.E. when I want to browse Microsoft's websites, but that's few and far between as my Wintendo is set to auto download updates. So, without a doubt:

Firefox

[Serresrelic]

I use both, at work and at home. I prefer firefox over IE, but I do all my work in flash, and the flash player for firefox has some interesting bugs in it.

[DocBobo]

Just to throw in another candidate: Opera
I use it at work, at home I prefer Firefox.

The less people use IE, the better it is for a uniformed html standard. And a declining customer base gets even MS back to the drawing board. IE7 is announced, and it should reach market in summer. Of course in true Microsoft fashion this means first betas will reach the public in summer and the final product will be ready in winter. But at least the mozilla foundation made Microsft rethink their (lack of) browser strategy.

[EvilIguana966]

I never knew what tabbed browsing was about or why I would want it. When I first got firefox I didn't understand it and didn't really like it. Now I can't live without it. Give it time and you will learn to appreciate it as I have.