Which browser do you use?

[Rennhack]

I've been a Microsoft supporter for almost as long as I've used a "PC".  I started on a commodore 64, which ran "Microsoft Basic v2.0", however I wasn't aware of the fact that "Commodore Basic V2.0" was a Microsoft product.  Back then I used a "300 Baud" modem to run my own "BBS"... those were the pre-internet days...

In 1995 I purchased an IBM Aptiva, which ran windows 95, on a Pentium I.  It did so very badly, because IBM is one of those Microsoft haters, and offered every type of non-Microsoft software they could get on the machine.  The machine kept crashing. -- To make things worse, I was one of those adventuress kids that would download beta software.  -- I learned 2 things: 1: NEVER use beta software for your operating system, or anything tied closely to your operating system. And 2: if you can... run all Microsoft software, and you will have less crashes.

I've been living by that mantra for over 13 years now, and I'm happy to say, every year I have less and less crashes. [knock] [knock] [knock].

Ok, that brings me to today.  I have been having 'speed' issues with IE7 (that's internet explorer version 7).  Nothing I tried helped.  So for fun, I downloaded the latest version of Google's "Chrome" browser today and tried it out AGAIN.  I found two interesting things.  1: The browser DOES render NukeWorker.com a lot faster than IE7, and 2: It has a built in spell check that underlines in red (like MS Word) any word that it thinks is spelled wrong.

So... I just might start using this Chrome browser as my default browser of choice, it really is a lot faster.  Especially with things like our facility info/map software, and when you click preview..

Here are some links to IE's competitors (Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Safari).

[HydroDave63]

ahh, the memories.... slap in the 64K flash memory box on the side of the ol' Commodore 128, typing in the RUN *,8 [or some such line] to run whatever program was in the external tape recorder drive or 5.25" floppy drive (usually either Pirates,Red Storm Rising or NukeWar)......

back on topic... I run IE6 because most sites are still *optimized* for IE, but IE7 is a memory hog and I run old legacy machines until they die twice. I love using Firefox for YouTube downloads, but Firefox simultaneous with IE ends up being bad juju due to excess file handle usage in XP (did I mention that I'll go back to Mac before I would use Windows ChulaVista?

[UncaBuffalo]

I'm using Internet Explorer now, because I have a company-provided laptop & that's what it came with...

When I'm on my own computers, it's Firefox...seems to be more mal-ware resistant.

[psmarz]

Firefox is my preference.

[SloGlo]

mozilla firefox.  werks good on dis dell laptop 'n keeps trubble out of it.

[JustinHEMI05]

Firefox.

Justin

[Rennhack]

Have you firefox fanboys TRIED Chrome?

[Nuclear NASCAR]

I'm giving it a try, wish we could use something besides Internet Exploder at work. 

[withroaj]

I thought Chrome still had some gaping security issues (not that IE doesn't) and was not to be trusted.  Something about google's pursuit of ALL information on the planet allowing a simple search to get a Chrome user's vital data (numbers, passwords and such).

I downloaded Safari and I like it, but I still gravitate back to IE7.

[Rennhack]

I thought Chrome still had some gaping security issues (not that IE doesn't) and was not to be trusted.  Something about google's pursuit of ALL information on the planet allowing a simple search to get a Chrome user's vital data (numbers, passwords and such).

I'm no security expert, all i know is that it's out of beta, and it loads a page in 8 sec, instead of 30 sec with IE.  And it has spell check.  I also like it's smart 'homepage'. And it's small impact on my little screen.

I downloaded Safari and I like it, but I still gravitate back to IE7.

Prior to my getting sick of the slow load times in IE, I would download the other software, and see what NukeWorker looked like in it.  Then I would go back to IE.

Change is hard.

[JustinHEMI05]

Why would I try a new browser when perfection has already been achieved? What does chrome have to offer me that FF modified to my liking does not?

Justin

[Rennhack]

Well, I've used chrome for about a week now.  Here are my observations:

They rushed it out of beta, there are still some bugs.  It works great with NukeWorker.com, it loads the site twice as fast as Firefox, and 5 or 6 times as fast as internet explorer.

However, Other sites don't always operate correctly, like the logo tournament site doesn't work with chrome, but it does with Firefox and IE.

[Rennhack]

I have to tell you, after using IE for so long, the speed of Firefox and chrome are a little astounding.  I'm going to try Firefox now for a while.  It is very fast as well, and also tells me when I have a typo.  Plus it works on some sites that chrome (rushed out of beta) doesn't.

[Rennhack]

I've found (no surprise) that chrome works instantly with Google maps (like the one in our facility info section), while Firefox is a much slower load of new map data.

However, the page load times of 'normal' pages looks a little faster in FF.

[HousePuke]

Firefox.  Our oldest does IT for a living and he put it on our machine several years ago.  As others have said, it runs good and seems to shield against bad stuff better than IE.  In fact he just updated our Firefox over Christmas and it's better than ever.

[Phurst]

Browser? IE at work and Firefox at home. I would use IE at home but it's a 64 bit platform not supported by Adobe Flash so I downloaded Firefox to use untill Adobe can come up with Flash 11. Chrome you say? Never heard of it but I certainly will try it. Mac? Isn't that the guy that works with Bub down at the garage?

[atomicarcheologist]

When the site lets me come in from the cold and use their computer, I find that it's always IE.  I have Firefox at home and use it exclusively.  My company sent out a warning about Chrome when it first was released.  The warning was basically a never use on their equipment and was based on the beta version.  So I never installed it, not wanting to crash my own equipment and most sites won't let me alter theirs.

[Rennhack]

When the site lets me come in from the cold and use their computer, I find that it's always IE.  I have Firefox at home and use it exclusively.  My company sent out a warning about Chrome when it first was released.  The warning was basically a never use on their equipment and was based on the beta version.  So I never installed it, not wanting to crash my own equipment and most sites won't let me alter theirs.

From my experiments, Chrome isn't ready for prime time yet.  It was rushed out of beta before it really should have been.  It doesn't even have back and forward history.

So far, FF looks to be the fastest that has all the bells. (But Chrome IS faster with Google maps, and other things like that).

There is just no reason for IE to be so slow.

[RNN]

I use Fire Fox and IE7 both I have been looking at new browsers and I came across one called Avant that I'm going to try.

Has anyone used it yet and if so is it a good one?

IE is slow and I don't really like FF but it is faster.

[Fermi2]

Firefox and Opera.
Back in the day the Oakland Raiders had a browser which I used to love to use regardless of the browser speed!

Mike

[Rennhack]

I have been looking at new browsers and I came across one called Avant that I'm going to try.

Avant actually uses the IE rendering engine, and just wraps their own user interface around it.  The creator also has a project that uses the FF rendering engine.

The original goal of Avant was to give IE some of the opera functions.

[withroaj]

Thirty seconds with Firefox and I'm a believer.  Guess I'll delete Chrome until google gets all of the kinks worked out.

[Smart People]

Great thread!

Many years ago i had a ton of security problems with IE. I found out about Firefox and checked it out. It was loaded with features that IE incorporated much later, like tabs and plug ins. Security IMO was much better and due to its open source status, fixes came quickly. I've never turned back.

I use IE at work but at home I'm totally a Firefox fan.

[retired nuke]

Great thread!

I use IE at work but at home I'm totally a Firefox fan.

Ditto - thanks to you guys, I am now a firefox user....lots quicker, no popups, adware stuff seems not to be present...

Now to get rid of IE....

[Rennhack]

I just downloaded the Release candidate for Internet Explorer 8.  It is a LOT faster than 7 was.

However, it has a compatiability feature that seems more anoying than helpful.  We'll test it and see.