Tech Corner
Browser shopping
By TERRE PORTER
| Article published on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 |
|
 |
Some experts in the technology industry are recommending that people switch to a non-Microsoft browser after the recently discovered vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) were used by the "bad guys" to target highly visited and trusted Web sites to steal confidential financial and other information.
Being a stubborn person myself, I've stayed with IE throughout its various problems, and I always felt I was protected since I keep up with the latest technology information, keep my virus definitions up-to-date, am careful about what Web sites I frequent - all the things I tell others to do.
But, there comes a time when enough is enough.
Despite all my safeguards, my computer was hit with a browser toolbar installation. Soon after I found that a casino application had mysteriously installed itself on my computer. Add in the recent advise from the experts, and that I use online banking for personal and business, I figured it was time to take a look at the other browsers out there.
First, I installed Netscape, which is a browser that actually came out before IE. Netscape has suffered a partial death in recent years, although, its latest version does show promise. Netscape is offered with e-mail and a newsgroup reader or as a standalone browser. Netscape has problems, in my opinion, with the most annoying being too much fluff. Since, I don't want to use the Netscape Web mail or the dial-up service or anything else but the browser, after installing it, I decided to look for something simpler.
Next, I tried Opera. I'd heard many good things about that browser. But, it didn't survive the download after I discovered it's free only with built in advertisements. No thanks.
Open source Mozilla, which Netscape is based on, was next on my list of options. My thinking, as a programmer, was maybe I could simply remove what I didn't want. However, I haven't found the time to try setting it up to my liking.
Mozilla itself is a browser, very similar to Netscape just without the "proprietary features," according to www.mozilla.org. However, I found it also had too much stuff I didn't want and, in my opinion, didn't need in a browser.
While on the Mozilla site, I found something called Firefox. This browser seems to have the things I want - popup blocking and security - and it's just a browser, no fluff. I've been using Firefox for over a month, and so far I'm happy with it. Firefox is here to stay, at least on my computer.
Although I personally recommend checking out the Firefox browser, each person should review and decide what they like and dislike. Each browser application has different installation instructions, and it's recommended that readers review them BEFORE installation.
Microsoft users should be aware that IE is still needed to download the latest patches from the Windows Update Service. So if you decide to change browsers, don't delete IE. Just set the new browser to be your default and use IE when it's needed.
Microsoft has released a fix for one of the problems that has prompted many to begin browser shopping. For more information and to get the patch for the download_ject vulnerability, visit www.microsoft.com/security/incident/download_ject.mspx.
For more information on browser alternatives, visit these links.
Firefox, www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
According to the Firefox FAQ located at texturizer.net/firefox/faq.htm. Firefox is a free, open-source web browser based on the Mozilla code base. It is small, fast and easy to use, and offers many advantages over Internet Explorer, such as the ability to block pop-up windows. For more information read the article by Ben Goodger, "Why You Should Switch to Firefox" at www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/why/
It is mentioned in the release notes that Firefox 0.9 is a Technology Preview and that the "software works well enough to be relied upon as your primary browser in most cases and should not be relied upon for mission-critical tasks". To read the complete release notes document visit www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/
Mozilla, www.mozilla.org
As stated in the Mozilla FAQ at www.mozilla.org/start/1.5/faq/general.html, Netscape 7.1 is based on Mozilla 1.4. Both applications share almost the identical features, such as tabbed browsing, custom keywords, and Sidebar. Exceptions are additions of proprietary features such as the support for Netscape Web Mail and AOL mail. In general, Netscape 7 and Mozilla will display Web pages and read mail the same.
Mozilla is currently at version 1.7. Mozilla's default install includes an e-mail and newsgroup reader.
Netscape, www.netscape.com
Includes: Popup blocker, Tabbed Browsing, and more. The install also includes, Sun's Java Runtime, Macromedia Flash, along with others. Netscape includes an e-mail and newsgroup reader as part of its default install. To read more about the features provided with Netscape visit, channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/browsing.jsp
Opera, www.opera.com
I did not review this browser though I felt that it should be included in the list of possible replacements to IE. Opera's free version includes a banner ad built in to the top right corner of the application. I have heard many good things about opera, but I'm not interested in buying a browser just yet. For more about opera's browser, visit www.opera.com
Note: This article was published in July 2004. According to Opera users who sent me e-mails, Opera removed the banner advertisements from its browser in 2005. Thank you to all those who like the Opera browser and took the time to e-mail me about the change. See Clarification
Terre Porter is vice president of Webpage Builders Inc. Tech Corner questions can be sent to him by e-mailing tporter@webpage-builders.com.
|
Article published on Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
