What Web Browser Are You Using

April 24, 2008

If you are on a Mac, chances are you use Safari or Firefox.  So this really isn’t for you.  However if you are on Windows, then this is for you.  Internet Explorer is terrible.  Don’t use it. Simple as that.  OK, it has gotten better, but it still has security flaws (ever wonder how that spyware and junk gets installed on your system?  IE makes it very easy).  Its also a bit clunky to use.  Oh, and it doesn’t follow the rules on how to display webpages, so it drives web developers nuts.

Firefox from Mozilla is the best by far.  Not only is it safer to use, but it allows for all kinds of modifications.  These include (click on the link to be taken to the site where you can get more information and download:

• AdBlock Plus:  It removes ads and banners.  Not only do you have less clutter to look at, it also is one more way to avoid seeing any images that you don’t want to.  Even mainstream websites have some ads that you just rather not see.  This will make them go away.  If anything does slip through the cracks its very east to make that go *poof* too.
• FoxFilter and ProCon Latte:  These are content filters that work within the browser.  Note:  these will only filter content used on that browser.  So if you install it and then use Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera or any other browser it will NOT filter content.  However with most operating systems these days (Windows and Mac OS X) its possible to create user accounts and limit what applications each user can access.
• FireBug:  OK, this is amazing if you are a web designer.  You can view the code and CSS of any website.  Want to play around with their site?  It even has an editor that lets you make changes and see how it effects the site.  Great way to learn and experiment.
• Themes:  Make FireFox look just the way you like it.  Hundreds of themes and UI tweaks.

OK, thats all for now.