Tough call. For me, ActiveX needs to be gone for me to think about switching back to IE. Of course I will download it, but only use it as my backup if ActiveX is still being used.

Boy, did I flub that up, IE=yes, Firefox= no. My first poll, I promise to do better the next time :-)

Firefox is the best browser ever

I don't think I'll switch back. However, I'll install it, that's for sure. I don't use Internet Explorer all that much, but I need it every now and then for some sites that still won't work decently with Firefox.

The Best Browser thread discusses much about IE and FF, although it's not entirely about it.

I'm also going to move this topic to the "Software" section.

I thought that there was another topic like this somewhere, but I looked and couldn't find one...

Plus, I don't want to see ANY flame wars going on in here as it's bound to happen. If I catch someone flaming someone else, I'll delete the post, no questions asked. If it get's out of hand, the topic will be locked.

Now on to my opinion:

I'm a die-hard fan of IE. I have installed Firefox and even use it ALOT at school (since it's the only browser on the Macs there). I can say it is a good browser, but I'm not really seeing a major difference over IE. I can say though that through documented facts that IE does prove to be more secure than some people think. Slowly yet surely FF is starting to get broken down by hackers. It won't be long before someone finds another large hole in FF and decides to try and bring down the 5% of the world (well, I'm not sure what the market share is right now, but you see what I'm getting at).

I have heard many things of IE that are untrue (PNG support, for example, works perfectly fine), so that leads me to believe that MANY people who are FF fans are simply being drawn into the fad and hype of a new browser. Don't get me wrong though, I'm sure some of the hype is true, but I believe that this hype is literally blinding people as to what IE is really all about. Sure, I can see where there are issues in IE6 SP2, but what about the soon-to-be-released IE7 in Windows Longhorn (or so it was called)? There have been promising reports as to what will be in that version. I'm skeptic myself as to what will REALLY happen, so we'll have to wait and see.

One thing to bring to mind: IE has the same, if not better, security functions as FF; They just take a few more clicks to activate.

Right now...With what's available...I'm happier with FF. All the extensions available for download have allowed me to customize FF to the way I like it. But when the new IE comes out, I'm sure to give it a try. I'll make a final decision then.

I do have to agree that the amount of customization that you can do with FF is simply awsome. But I'm more for the simple look of IE (Well, I guess the "simple" look overall, as I can make FF look "simple" too )

Neither, when it comes out I'll still stick with Opera

What is so good about Opera?

Try it and find out www.opera.com easily the most customizable browser from its stock form, w/o the need for extensions to get most features people want.

Agreed, Opera for me also!

If this turns into a flame fest sometime can it be locked with the ability to vote in the poll?

Between FF and IE..it's IE for me. Just. Guess i'm just more comfy with it than i am with FF.

I think if the topic is locked the poll is still open.

I saw a site that a company did that tested over a dozen browsers (well, some of the same browsers, just different versions, for example, they tested IE 5, IE 6, and IE 6 SP2). Opera had the top scores in almost every field (they had Speed, Security, and a few others). Where as IE 5 beat FF in most cases, but IE 6 didn't do so hot. I think it only had a top 3 listing once or twice. If I find the site again, I'll post a link to it.

I use firefox, and i also use IE for those sites that dont like firefox
I only use firefox because of all the customization features it has, for example adblock, tab browsing, ext...

True, some people who are computer illiterate or don't use computers much may use IE for the fact that they don't know about any other browser (or other reasons). I've heard some people saying that there's no computer professionals that use IE because "they understand it completely and know it's bad." I'm certified, and several teachers here at the collage I'm at are even MCSE's AND Linux certified, and several of them use IE. So... there's got to be SOMETHING about IE that SOME FF users are mssing (or are just blind to see).

Now, I'm not saying anyone here is blind about FF or IE. It's just that I don't often see actual proof of one being better than the other. I have provided tons of information from legit sites stating why IE is better than FF, BUT in the process I also find information on why FF is better than IE, so that way I can obtain a better understaing of both and determine which is truely better. These so-called "fan sites" of IE or FF are worthless if that's all you use for sources. Most all sites are biased twords the particular browser and will spread lies about the other (Like the PNG support for IE. It was told though MANY sites that it does not work well with transperancy. Well, through my own expirence and research, it works perfectly fine).

I would love to see this thread turn into a huge information portal. What I mean by that is people that come in here supporting IE or FF can provide facts on why they say something is good or bad about the browsers. I've done this before in the past, as have some other members, but we still get people that are "FF IS THE ROXORZ!!" without any reason whatsoever.

Well, you get the idea.

Just out of simple curisoty: If IE had similar features of FF, (like tabbed browsing, ad-block, pop-up blockers (SP2 has it)) would you use IE instead of FF? Just a simple question.

maybe if but it doesnt, so isnt even an issue. I think thats the main reason everyone is turned off of IE to begin with. Then they're exposed to the capabilities of other browsers. Because be honest, IE has nothing to customize without some toolbars which.... suck. IE is stock and simple and bare. Thats the major turnoff to the "computer literate" (not saying everyone who's computer savvy prefers something else, but I'd say its safe to say that in general most would at least go into exploring the other browsers first seeking the options that they crave).



for Opera

Well, I tend to link the simplicity. It runs faster on my computer, plus it's easy to use. I'm not saying that if I find something more complicated to use or something new to learn that I won't use it... Even FF can be nice and simple and easy to use. But some people do like OPTIONS, OPTIONS, OPTIONS!!

Sure, I like pop-up blocking features. Those things get annoying. I don't understand the whole hype of tabbed browsing though. All I see the difference in it is that the tabs are in the browser itself and not in the taskbar (with that setup, it does use a little less memory). But still... it's doesn't see all THAT important (well, IMO).

Some of IE toolbars are... decent. I've tried MSN and Yahoo toolbars... the MSN one wasn't too bad actually, but I hated the Yahoo one. Sure, they're not the greatest, but not horrible.

I love Opera's speed and simple and effective look. The new Beta (8) which will go final sometime soon just shows how Opera is devolping even further. Opera is also now classed as a main browser, just like IE and FF. I think i read that the usage of Opera was up like 50% or something. Avant Browser is also great if you wanna go for something IE based, but of course Maxthon has IE and Gecko. Out of the engines, Opera's is the best though. GTX mate, you should try out some Opera goodness! You even presented the stats!

Oh, on Toolbars, Google's was the best for me when i used IE.

Hmm, first of all, not being an XP user, IE 7 will not run on my system for sure ...

But yes, though firefox is a better browser overall, both have their share of +ve & -ve points. This in short is my view -

Mozilla Firefox

+ Open source and cross platform. Its biggest advantage. It is available for Linux(X-Windows), Windows and many other platforms. Coz of its being open source, you have the moox build and other mods that enhance it.
+ More features, extensions, good for the frequent surfer who needs a better organised and convenient way to browse.
- Slow, bloated, rather too heavy for what it does.

IE

+ Light to load, good browser if you don't surf too many pages at once
+ Compatible with most sites (this is the fault of site owners, who "optimise" their site completely for IE)
- Insecure
- Low on features (the only reason its so light)
- Heck, its only present on few operating systems. I would rather not browse internet in windows, thank you.

But heck, either way I'll choose Opera

I'm currently using Avant Browser only because you can have multiple windows open in one broswer which is great feature . I used to use FF but I uninstalled it for Avant becasue it screwed up with bittorrent so .....

I'm thinking about trying out Opera because of its customization features and what not, if that doesn't work out I'll give FF another try .

Anyway for now I rather Avant .

how does it screw up with bitTorrent? all you need to do is hold the alt key or are you talking about something else

I think i remember him having a problem with it, infact he may have made a thread. I forget the details. Try Opera, it's nice..and this is from an ex-Avant lover and user!

I've been using FF for the past 5 years. I didn't notice much difference between IE & FF until now.

Now i am developing web pages incorporating "Script.aculo.us" ~ js drag drop & prototype library. FF runs extremely well but IE sucks totally. Seems like IE's ability to process a bulk of js is much slower than FF.

Plus FF has some real nice customization for developers ~ better for debugging
and there's a firetune ~ tune up the FF to make it run faster.

I luv FF ^^