Alternative Browser to IE?

SouxSoux United Kingdom
edited November 2004 in Science & Tech
Have been reading other posts regarding Firefox and Opera etc. Hear it solves alot of problems with spyware/adware/ popups etc. Should I change from IE and if I do can I try Firefox and leave IE operational on my machine incase I want to revert back to it?

Help much appreciated - I'm no computer techi!

Comments

  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    Yes, you don't have to remove IE to start using Firefox. Just download and install Firefox, without doing anything to MSIE, and you'll be fine if you ever want to go back to it. The chances of that happening though, IMHO, are vanishingly small. ;)
  • ArmoArmo Mr. Nice Guy Is Dead,Only Aqua Remains Member
    edited November 2004
    absolutly switch, leave IE on because windows updater and some secure sites like banks wont let you use firefox

    when u open firefix it asks you to import your cookies, favorites, history and a few other things from IE to FF, its great, and firefox 1.0's bookmark managements is fantanstic
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited November 2004
    Most bank sites work with Firefox just as well as IE. I have only run into a couple of sites that don't work with FF, and those use a lot of ACTIVE X.

    But for the most part, like GH said, once you switch to Firefox, you will use IE less and less. Once you start browsing in "tabs", you'll wonder how you ever did it before :)

    For an easy download, click the link in my signature or in GH's above, and enjoy your new browsing experience.

    Dexter...
  • edited November 2004
    When you switch, what is the procsess of transfering info like "favorites" links, and other stuff I use often?

    =R :scratch: R=
  • GrayFoxGrayFox /dev/urandom Member
    edited November 2004
    redrabbit wrote:
    When you switch, what is the procsess of transfering info like "favorites" links, and other stuff I use often?

    =R :scratch: R=

    all you do is follow the wizard when you install it asks you what u wana transfter over
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited November 2004
    redrabbit wrote:
    When you switch, what is the procsess of transfering info like "favorites" links, and other stuff I use often?

    =R :scratch: R=


    Like the post above said, a wizard pops up the very first time you run it, and it asks you what you want to import - Favorites, Cookies, etc. Just import everything. Importing your cookies is very handy since many people keep cookies for sites (like here at Short-Media) on their systems so that they do not have to log in again. The import process is very fast, and after you do it once, your Firefox will have everything your IE had...except the bugs and security holes...;)

    Dexter...
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited November 2004
    I still have bookmarks in IE that didn't transfer across. I keep IE for the odd time I need one then put it in FF. I can't see any improvement, that doesn't mean there isn't one just I haven't seen it yet.
  • MERRICKMERRICK In the studio or on a stage
    edited November 2004
    I think Opera is great and correct me if I'm wrong, but as a browser becomes more popular (firefox) the security issues will increase? Still IE is a hole that will never close.

    I have heard that even if you don't ever use IE, you should still download the security updates to prevent certain types of back door issues but I don't know how true this to be; though an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  • SouxSoux United Kingdom
    edited November 2004
    Thanks everyone - that's all such good information. I think I'll give Firefox a try.
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited November 2004
    MERRICK wrote:

    I have heard that even if you don't ever use IE, you should still download the security updates to prevent certain types of back door issues but I don't know how true this to be; though an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.


    Yes, because certain applications will use IE by default, or will make calls straight to IE for modules within the app. So you will want to keep doing Windows Updates to IE, just always do all Critical Updates, or let Automatic Updates handle it for you.

    Dexter...
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited November 2004
    Hi, Thinking of getting FF since my sister got spyware (whiched I've removed) on the computer.

    One question is that there are a few user accounts on the comp, so will the Wizard for transfering cookies, favourites etc come for each account?

    Thanks
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited November 2004
    Hi, Thinking of getting FF since my sister got spyware (whiched I've removed) on the computer.

    One question is that there are a few user accounts on the comp, so will the Wizard for transfering cookies, favourites etc come for each account?

    Thanks
    I think after you install it, it'll run that wizard on every account the first time you open it, on each account.
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited November 2004
    TheGr81 wrote:
    I think after you install it, it'll run that wizard on every account the first time you open it, on each account.


    Yep. And conversely, if you never run it on the other account, it will never run the wizard, and other users don't need to switch over to it. On my home computer, my account and my son's both use FF (although my son uses IE a lot as well) but my wife still uses only IE, and does not use FF at all.

    Dexter...
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    Once you start browsing in "tabs", you'll wonder how you ever did it before
    That's the truth!
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