Browser Advice

Gigazombie Cybermage · July 2012

So I'm getting errors all the time with IE, yeah I still use it, I keep getting the "a problem caused ie to close and reopen" error and I have all around sluggishness. I was thinking it's time to switch to a better one, one hopefully more secure and convenient. Opinions on which one?

Pentaghost · July 2012

I've been using Opera for around 6 months and it hasn't given me any problems.

Thanatos · July 2012

Chrome seems to be the fastest of the currently-available options.

I haven't fucked around with Opera in quite some time, and I still use Firefox and IE both, but Chrome is my main go-to browser.

What version of IE do you use? Have you tried just updating that?

Gigazombie Cybermage · July 2012

Yeah, I have the most recent update. I think I'll try Chrome

Essee · July 2012

If you use a Firefox derivative (I've personally been using SeaMonkey for years) you have access to all sorts of useful addons. NoScript is the big one I care about. Firefox (or any browser based off of it) + NoScript means that by default, none of those malicious scripts that keep giving everyone malware will be able to run. Only sites you personally allow to run scripts will be able to run them. It's kind of inconvenient at first because you do need to go allow all your common websites to run scripts, but once you're done with that you'll just occasionally need to allow a site to make it work (you can allow them temporarily if you're not sure about the site). With NoScript on, you should almost never need to worry about the drive-by attacks (getting viruses/malware/etc. from just visiting a regular website) which are the most common means of infection, because even when a safe site is compromised, the scripts are usually running from a separate site, so you're still safe because you won't have allowed that site. I would personally never, on a regular basis, use a browser without NoScript (and as far as I'm aware, only Firefox and its kin have an addon like this to date) because it's so much safer to browse with it on.

I've never really been a fan of Firefox's interface for some reason, so for that and a few other reasons I've been using SeaMonkey for a very long time. SeaMonkey used to be known as the Mozilla Suite and on top of the browser it includes a full-featured e-mail client (which I prefer using over webmail clients), as well as an HTML composer and IRC client (but these components are all hidden off in the corner if you don't want to use them). Anyway, it's more easily customizable than Firefox, but fully compatible with all the same websites that work in Firefox. It also updates every time Firefox is updated. I've used Firefox every once in a while myself, and it's not bad, but I still stick with SeaMonkey because I feel it just works better. It's all up to personal preference, so go ahead and give it a shot.

Oh, for what it's worth, I've used Opera and it's alright. No experience with Chrome yet.

ceres · July 2012

I use Opera.. it's pretty much the only one that can handle my browsing habits.

The Crowing One · July 2012

Chrome. Hands down.

zerzhul · July 2012

I would try using Firefox, Opera, and Chrome for a week each and see which fits your browsing habits better. Personally I use Chrome and never find myself wanting to try something else.

Afty · July 2012

I'm a web developer and use a lot of browsers very often, imo, Chrome is far and away the best browser currently.

Donovan Puppyfucker · July 2012

Chrome.

Or Opera, I hear that's pretty good.

But really, Chrome. It's so much better.

Jam Warrior · July 2012

Chrome is elegant minimalism. Does exactly what you need and no more so no wasted space or speed on buttons and menus you never use. And if you feel something is missing you can ususally add it in.

On the other hand my wife loves her whojits and gizmos so Firefox is the way for her.

bowen · July 2012

I use chrome/firefox, I prefer chrome. Firefox has a bit larger addon variety, but chrome seems to be, by far, the smallest footprint of all the browsers. It updates itself too, which is nice, and integrates well with gmail and all their apps (and there's a way to have bookmarks follow you).

Plus the iPhone version of Chrome is amazing.

Griswold · July 2012

avoid the hammers and fireballs, jump on the plunger at the right side of the creen

kime · July 2012

bowen wrote: »

I use chrome/firefox, I prefer chrome. Firefox has a bit larger addon variety, but chrome seems to be, by far, the smallest footprint of all the browsers. It updates itself too, which is nice, and integrates well with gmail and all their apps (and there's a way to have bookmarks follow you).

Plus the iPhone version of Chrome is amazing.

That's worth emphasizing. If you have an iPhone or iPad or whatnot, you can use Chrome on those and your computer and it will sync up your bookmarks and history and such. And Chrome is just the most pleasant experience on computer/mobile anyways, so it all works out :P

The Crowing One · July 2012

kime wrote: »

bowen wrote: »

I use chrome/firefox, I prefer chrome. Firefox has a bit larger addon variety, but chrome seems to be, by far, the smallest footprint of all the browsers. It updates itself too, which is nice, and integrates well with gmail and all their apps (and there's a way to have bookmarks follow you).

Plus the iPhone version of Chrome is amazing.

That's worth emphasizing. If you have an iPhone or iPad or whatnot, you can use Chrome on those and your computer and it will sync up your bookmarks and history and such. And Chrome is just the most pleasant experience on computer/mobile anyways, so it all works out :P

Same for Android, with even further functionality. Chrome's bookmark manager/easy account access from anywhere makes it absolutely the best.

Gigazombie Cybermage · July 2012

Yeah, I'm liking chrome pretty good so far.

Psychotic One · July 2012

Opera is pretty much my goto browser for me, but like cars browsers are a thing of personal choice. I second the option of "test driving" the other browsers adn you can make an informed decision based off your experiences with your needs.

MegaMan001 · July 2012

Can you finally save changing the font size on Chrome? That's the only reason I don't like to use it. I like to sit wayyyy back in my computer chair while browsing and I'd change the font to be a comfortable size and then it would reset the second I changed pages.

Super annoying.