Firefox: What's the hype?

Fibonacci

Okay, I’ve downloaded it now and am confused. By the general chat of some people on this board, I had guessed that our Lord had skipped his second coming as a person and instead chose to battle evil as web browser.

I don’t get it. What’s so special about it?

Tabs at the top are nice, but opening new windows in IE did this?
Less security issues, but I’ve been attacked 10 times more through email than IE?

Not dissing the program. Genuinely intrigued as to why so many people zealously swear by it.

uberwolf

as you use it you'll continue to find little features that are better than IE for e.g.
Download manager is better. It is way more secure. Typically generates pages faster - only obvious on a fast connection.

I love having 5 homepages which all open when I start the program.

ixoy

For me, the tabbing is the nicest feature. Document windows clutter up my taskbar and, since they're not grouped, it makes it heard to readily identify where a particular window is on the taskbar. Using tabs I can much more readily get to the web page that I want.

I also like the mose gestures plugin - speedier for browsing than using buttons/keyboard shortcuts that I find in IE.

Finally, the ad blocker works nicely. Admittedly Google toolbar took most of these away for me but it's good to have it as standard.

aidan_walsh

Its an open source, lightweight, cross platform browser. Its highly plugable, so it can basically do just about anything the community would like. For instance, at home, my browser can automatically tell me when I get a new email in my Gmail account, update me with the weather forecasts from weather.com, automatically hyperlink links that are dormant, block adverts etc. It lets you do what you like, while providing all the functionality you would expect from a browser.

tuxy

Fibonacci wrote:

Less security issues, but I’ve been attacked 10 times more through email than IE?

im confused by what you mean by this

Serbian

I'm a FireFox user and since I discovered the browser I don't think I could ever go back to IE. For me, it was the tabbed windows, standards compliance and the many nifty extensions that you can add to your browser.

IE remains static, with only major security flaws fixed. FireFox is ever-changing which means it was always bound to outstrip IE as it will develop with the times whereas Microsoft claim they have all but stopped developing Internet Explorer on Mac and will probably hold off on updates to IE on the PC until Longhorn comes out.

dent

Have a look at the extensions. There are dozens of usefull tools. They are really light weight too so they don't take a year to download on dialup. I'm pretty sure
it mentions the most popular ones. Plus they are easy to find and install.

seamus

It was the tabs that drew me, and the extensions and shortcuts that kept me.

Particularly when browsing, I like to open up new tabs for pretty much every link. IE doesn't do this. It opens new windows, which is a pain in the ass.

Hobbes

I like...

- Tabbed browsing.
- Extensions (adblock is a required imho).
- Themes
- Live bookmarks
- You can customise how annoying you want a site/javascript to be.
- Search bar with the ability to create your own search engines.
- Bookmark shortcuts (I type 'b' in the address bar and it goes to boards).
- About commands, type about:cache and about:config (be careful with config)
- View source colors the source for you. You can also highlight a portion on the page and select view source selection only see that related code.
- Find as you type option with highlighting.
- XUL is worth looking at. It is basically application development using Mozilla framework.
- Security features on plugins. Security in general compared to IE. Less worries about spyware crap installing itself without my knowledge.
- Faster then IE.

dmeehan

i wonder how long it will be before microsoft introduce tabs in IE?

Hobbes

dmeehan wrote:

i wonder how long it will be before microsoft introduce tabs in IE?

Official announcement is "Tabbed browsing is not important to IE users". He's correct, cleaning up the gaping security holes would first on the list.

That said the latest Beta of Windows has a tabbed option in its IE.

jessy

I personally use opera, but I think listing out the features in Firefox vs IE is not the way to make people see the light. For me they are just that, there features but what is important is the security, Opera or Firefox are by no means bullet proof but IE is just not an option. It’s as bullet proof as a brown paper bag. I think it’s important that people start to move from IE to other browser, then M$ might start to think that security is a major issue. And be thought of during development and not just an after thought.

As most people have already said tabbed browsing is a nice feature, but the security is nicer.

Fibonacci

Am being convinced. Going to use it exclusively for the next week and make up my mind then.....

Fenster

Hobbes wrote:

Official announcement is "Tabbed browsing is not important to IE users". He's correct, cleaning up the gaping security holes would first on the list.

That said the latest Beta of Windows has a tabbed option in its IE.

I think personally that by saying that he's acknowledged that it is.

Right now, its small still, but its also a rising star. However, until they bring in support for enterprise situations-such as remote control of it by an admin-its only going to make limited in-roads into getting mass support.

forbairt

well just read this

http://www.greymagic.com/security/advisories/gm001-ie/

its got me convinced

what bugs did you get ... you mentioned 10 via email ???

edit: and considering firefox is not an email client ... ??

RuggieBear

i've only used it for a day or two and i'm finding the middle-button-opening-new-tab-for-link-thingie invaluable for my ultra lazy surfing

Still have to cutomise it but might do that over the weekend

seamus

error9 wrote:

edit: and considering firefox is not an email client ... ??

Firefox has a sister called Thunderbird that'll look after your mail and news.

Robbo

One thing I've always found handy is the Carat browsing (F7). Tis well handy on laptops with cruddy touchpads.

forbairt

seamus wrote:

Firefox has a sister called Thunderbird that'll look after your mail and news.

aye I know .. been using it for months

his original question was bout firefox ... not thunderbird or mozilla ...

was wondering if its a web mail client or what...

forbairt

RuggieBear wrote:

i've only used it for a day or two and i'm finding the middle-button-opening-new-tab-for-link-thingie invaluable for my ultra lazy surfing

Still have to cutomise it but might do that over the weekend

you my man are a god didn't know that one

bus77

The feature I use most is highlight some text, right click and do a web search with it. Always miss that when I have to use ie.

Mec-a-nic

I think Fib is referring to Outlook Express? If so, a quite a few 'e-mail' virii workeby using exploits in the automatic html rendering in OE -> which is the fault of insecure IE.
Since I can't 'uninstall' IE, I just never run it and block any IE access to the network/Internet using firewalls!
(Using Mozilla since v0.8)

Serbian

Another Top Feature is when you right click in a Search Form and choose "Add a Keyword for this Search...". It is explained here and is possibly one of the most useful things ever

Fibonacci

error9 wrote:

well just read this

http://www.greymagic.com/security/advisories/gm001-ie/

its got me convinced

what bugs did you get ... you mentioned 10 via email ???

edit: and considering firefox is not an email client ... ??

I guess my point was, any major viruses or ‘Issues’ I’ve experienced with my computer have come through as file attachments on email, which lesser tech-savvy people who use this computer too, were enticed to click-on.

Other than ads and spyware (which I’ve removed with Lavasoft) I’ve never really experienced ‘Issues’ caused through using IE.

skywalker

uberwolf wrote:

I love having 5 homepages which all open when I start the program.

how do you set this up?

seamus

skywalker wrote:

how do you set this up?

OPen up the 5 pages, and then go into your options, and under General and Homepage, select "Use Current pages". Or you can enter them manually, separated by a semicolon.

skywalker

fantastic. thanks seamus.

Capt'n Midnight

Mec-a-nic wrote:

Since I can't 'uninstall' IE, I just never run it and block any IE access to the network/Internet using firewalls!

Could you also do this by setting up a duff proxy server address in connections...

Mozilla SpaceCat/Superkangeroo - Love the switch proxy toolbar for that reason

aidan_walsh

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

Could you also do this by setting up a duff proxy server address in connections...

Mozilla SpaceCat/Superkangeroo - Love the switch proxy toolbar for that reason

Yeah, that should work.

jor el

Fibonacci wrote:

Other than ads and spyware (which I’ve removed with Lavasoft) I’ve never really experienced ‘Issues’ caused through using IE.

I think you may have answered your own question with this one. Using Firefox I don't get any spyware installed anymore. When I was using Internet Exploder, spyware and browser hi-jacks were a daily occurance. The only thing left for adaware to find these days is a few cookies (which can be taken care of by blocking cookies anyway but I don't bother).

With Firefox, I think the best improvements are Adblock and it's popup stopper. Popup windows are the worst think about the internet IMO, but not any more

Go to the extensions site and install a few extras like adblock, googlebar, launchy, DownThemAll, FoxyTunes, Download manager tweak and Tabbrowser preferences and you'll quickly see what makes Firefox far superior to IE.

Also, get a theme like Noia2, it makes the whole thing look far nicer

OfflerCrocGod

When I browse to one of the big forums on Boards.ie and see about ~10 threads that interest me I simply middle-click all ten of them and Voila!, they all open in tabs in the background ready for me to read. Speeds up browsing my a million years. I can now go through news sites in about half the time I would in IE. Then with the pop-up blocking and the AdBlock extension I just don't see ads ANYMORE. Class act IMHO

Greenman

Is there any downsides to Firefox???

seamus

greenman wrote:

Is there any downsides to Firefox???

Not anymore.

There was a time when you'd have 20 tabs open, and just meaning to close the other one, you'd hit the wrong X and end up closing the window. Now it warns you that you have more than one tab open, and asks to confirm the closure.

Genius.

Actually, it's only downside is that it's a memory hog.

eirebhoy

I used to use FireFox when it was called something else but I swtiched back to IE for an unknown reason. I've only recently downloaded Firefox 1.00, just a few questions.

There's a google search bar up in the corner. With IE I used to use the google bar to check spelling (ie. type a word in and see if it gives results back), type in things while I'm readig the current page, etc. But with Firefox when you search it doesn't open in a new page. Is there any way of getting it to display the search results on a new page or tab?

eh, I thought I had more question. I'm sure I'll remember them when I post this.

Oh, one of the best additions is bookmark toolbar. I have so many bookmarks that I used to take ages looking for the one I want, this way its done in seconds.

Ah, memories coming back. I use MSN messenger, is there any way of getting it to open up e-mail's in Firefox rather than IE?

Cheers.

Ste-

eirebhoy wrote:

I used to use FireFox when it was called something else but

Firebird or Phoenix ?
I've used it since Firebird 0.7 and wouldn't use another browser.
Even installed it on friends PC's and hidden IE so they couldn't use it and infect themselves with spyware etc.

frodi

Slightly off topic, but any one tell me how to get links from email to open as new tabs.
In tools>options>advanced>tabbed browsing I have it set to open in a new tab in most recently opened window. However it still opens a new firefox window each time.

Back on topic it was multiple tabs and pop up blocker that sold it for me.

eirebhoy

Ste- wrote:

Firebird or Phoenix ?

Firebird, thats the one.

Just want to add. It is virtually impossible to use IE when downloading a torrent but with Firefox I can't even notice a speed change.

FoxyTunes is a great addition BTW.

norbert64

Hearing alot of good things about Firefox from my mates. They swear by it and will never return 2 the flaw ridden IE, so i am thinking of getting on the bandwagon 2.
However B4 i do, a question about Firefox. Is it that hard 2 setup considering all the conflicts of IE. Many of my mates have said that IE is pretty much burned into the system as the default net browser by MS, so it took a while & some hassle to set up Firefox, granted of course it was worth it in the end.
Anywho can you just switch off, or block IE, is it really that simple.

Thanx in advance

Greenman

Any chance of a screen shot or two!!!

Bri

norbert64 wrote:

However B4 i do, a question about Firefox. Is it that hard 2 setup considering all the conflicts of IE. Many of my mates have said that IE is pretty much burned into the system as the default net browser by MS, so it took a while & some hassle to set up Firefox, granted of course it was worth it in the end.
Anywho can you just switch off, or block IE, is it really that simple.

On a basic level, moving to firefox is a complete doddle. Just download it (follow my signature!), then put it on your desktop/quicklaunch/start menu etc. as a shortcut. Then delete the shortcuts to IE and remove it from desktop (won't actually go but won't be visible).

That's it - tell it it's the default browser if it asks (don't remember) and if you ever need to open IE tell it it's not the default and never bug you again (die die die etc.). That way, apart from MSN Messanger opening for e-mails, IE shouldn't resurface at all unless you want it. There's an extension called View in IE or something along those lines that lets you right click on a page that might be causing you hassle and see if IE can handle it better.

I also tell my firewall not to let IE work without asking me first.



Setting up FF to suit you will take a wee bit of time. But just get going and maybe install Ad Block and mouse gestures (see extensions on the mozilla.org homepage or follow the links inside FF). Over time you'll keep discovering new cool little things and then maybe explore the other extensions. On the visual side I don't bother with new themes - it looks fine the way it is once you use small icons.

Go for it!


P.S. I did a screen shot there and even labled all the parts but I'm not able to upload images over 100KB! So for now - http://public.csusm.edu/wentz002/firefox_screenshots.html - remembering that the interface can completely change according to how you want it or what you download!

tuxy

eirebhoy wrote:

There's a google search bar up in the corner. With IE I used to use the google bar to check spelling (ie. type a word in and see if it gives results back)

that's how i used to check spellings as well
then i found this
its a great extension
btw check out how fire firefox did in this poll, looks like the vast majority of boards users use firefox

Slutmonkey57b

Firefox is the new hot thing among people who have had their heads in the sand for 10 years and have never heard of Netscape.

Netscape is the source of Firefox and 50% of its "unique" features.

Opera is the source of the other 50%.
Tabbed browsing, pop-up blocker, totally customizable mouse and keyboard gestures, integrated mail/chat client (that can be disabled with a single click, more importantly), individual site security settings, standards-compliant, themed, addressbar searching, search toolbar, panelled tabbed browsing, enterprise-level application development?
Choose Opera. It's only been doing it for about 5 years now, while Firefox is only JUST out of beta and might be bug-free and not a total system hog in about 2 years. Everything you're enjoying about firefox has been nicked from its parent or, more likely, Opera.

Oh and it doesn't come with a colour scheme that melts your eyes.

For a list of where the Firefox developers got their ideas from:
http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/opera-ie/
http://www.opera.com/products/verticals/
http://www.opera.com

Repli

Why I like it over IE

-Tabs obviously (ctrl + t, or middle click a link, nice and simple)
-The way u can clear everything (history,cookies,cache,form info,password info) with a single button (handy when other people use your PC)
-The bookmarks toolbar
-No popup ads
-The find feature (finds as you type) and you can illuminate what u found
-Syntax highlighting in view source
-Ctrl + mwheelup or down to increase/decrease font size

Just to name a few!

Capt'n Midnight

Slutmonkey57b wrote:

Choose Opera. It's only been doing it for about 5 years now, while Firefox is only JUST out of beta and might be bug-free and not a total system hog in about 2 years. Everything you're enjoying about firefox has been nicked from its parent or, more likely, Opera

yes, but it's free

http://www.opera.com/buy/
When you pay and register Opera, the ad banner disappears. - Price: USD 39
....
If you have more systems at home, for every extra OS you pay only additional USD 10.-.
...
Students are entitled to a discount. Buy Opera now for only USD 20.

Used to love netscape till version 4 - it started became very unstable..

Bri

In reply to Slutmonkey57b's comments:

The orig. poster has probably noticed feelings run somewhat high in the browser wars. It's your choice...try whatever you like. I think the majority here would be happy if you just picked something over IE.

In defence of FF, I'd have to say that the more people who use a program, no matter how they came across it, and regardless of their in-depth knowledge of previous browser progression (or lack of), it is still a good thing. More sites may begin to be aimed towards multiple browsers (yes like the old days) if a large portion of those surfing aren't on IE. That seems infinitely preferable over a select few using it smugly wouldn't you say? :rolleyes:

OfflerCrocGod

Slutmonkey57b wrote:

Firefox is the new hot thing among people who have had their heads in the sand for 10 years and have never heard of Netscape.

It's the very hot thing for people who know about Netscape to you know. I've used Mozilla since the milestone builds 9xM - when it crawled along and had a fraction of the features it has now, I've been using Firefox since Phoenix 0.2 so I don't think claiming all Firefox users are ignorant of it's roots is really just.

Opera I have tried but it just wasn't that much better then the Moz and I don't see why I should support something that's not open source when there is something that is and is at the same level as it, the ad was annoying aswell. Now with Firefox I just don't see a reason to move to Opera, they are both very good and miles ahead of IE but they are equal to me and FX is OSS so it wins out.

Slutmonkey57b

Opera is absolutely free. I've never paid for any of the versions I've ever used. And you never get asked to pay for it either.
The "ad banner" is google text ads - just like you get here on boards. More disingenuous fabrication of the facts from the firefox luvvies.

There's nothing wrong with using Firefox. Just that all the rabid fanboys are totally wrong about how inventive or new or amazing it is. It's just a port of Netscape with features ripped off from Opera. Why bother with the imitation when you can use Opera?

Slutmonkey57b

Browser Wars II - Return of the somethingorother.

Actually I'd like to see a return of the Big Blue N.
Or the big daddy - the Big M.

NeverSayDie

Re Firefox vs IE, yeah, been using Firefox for a couple months now, just moved to v1.0 today in fact. Tbh, it's only major advantage over IE (for me) is the tabbed browsing. I used to use Opera years ago, tabbed browsing is def a nice feature. Other than that, it's a very nice browser, some nice tricks, but tbh, I actually still somewhat prefer IE at the end of the day. If they added a decent tabbing system in IE, I'd give a lot of thought to going back to it. Just always seemed smoother and more responsive than FireFox, though in fairness that's a subjective observation, and something that will presumably improve over time in any case.

Re problems in Firefox, not many - the most irritating bug (losing scroll position when moving back to a previous page) seems to have finally been fixed in ver1.0. Other than that, no, I haven't really seen any problems in it. It does freeze/crash on occasion, but I'm pretty sure that's caused by a media plugin, probably a third party problem.

One (pretty minor) thing I don't like is whatever UI library they use. The text box widget in particular can be annoying - some problems with mouse selecting text, cursor is rendered too close to previous character, etc. Minor enough in fairness, and it would probably be lot of work for them to use native widgets on every platform. Just something that bugs me from time to time.

So yeah, I'd definetely reccomend giving it a try alright, see what you think. Another advantage of FireFox is that it'll be getting better sooner rather than later - it's under active development, whereas IE is pretty much feature frozen until Longhorn, far as I'm aware. There's also the security issue - tbh, I've never had any security issues with IE, but there have been a number of holes reported + exploited, so you'll get peace of mind at least with Firefox.

billy the squid

Have had firefox for a couple of weeks now havent had a problem with it yet anyways.

If the source code iis based on netscape lets hope it doesnt end up like it. The last time I used netscape it put bits of itself in every nook and cranny of my computer. I was finding netscape files twelve months after I uninstalled the bloody thing.

Quick question. does anyone know how to use the

estention for message boards with firefox.

there are some sites where i have no choise but to use IE the chat on boards being one of them, and the ulster bank site anytime.ulsterbank.com. and one or two radio stations that require plug-ins that are not availible for Firefox but I am sure they will come.

tuxy

Quick question. does anyone know how to use the

estention for message boards with firefox.

do you mean how to use the quote selection with the bbcode extension?
if so you just select the test you want to put the quotes around , right click and pick the quote selection option