What is the best Web browser?

This is from Kim Komando's web site, http://www.komando.com/.

It is presented below as written, with no changes. FYI, I prefer and still recommend Firefox. I have tried Chrome with each new release that comes along, but until/unless it implements a Bookmarks sidebar, like every other browser has, I just won't use it. It takes very little time to download it, install it, test it, and then uninstall it. I have done that many times!

Here is Kim's post:

"The browser world used to be simple. Basically, everyone used Internet Explorer (IE). If you wanted to be different, you could use Netscape. Or you could try Opera, if you knew it existed. And that was about it.

Now we have IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Safari. And those are just the major ones. Which do you choose?

I'm going to focus on the top three market-share contenders. That would be IE8, Firefox and Chrome, respectively. Opera is excellent, but still a niche program. And Safari works better on the Mac than on PCs. I'll briefly discuss each browser's defining features, security and basic competence.

According to Net Applications, which surveys browser usage, IE was No. 1 in February. It had 62 percent of the market. Firefox was second with 24 percent. Chrome, Safari and Opera trailed, with 6, 4 and 2 percent, respectively.

Browsers are becoming homogenized. As time passes, they incorporate similar features to compete. If nothing drastic happens, they'll all be the same within a couple years. So, choose a browser with short term benefits foremost in mind. And don’t be afraid to switch.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Everyone knows about Internet Explorer. It's installed on every Windows computer by default. Until a few years ago, it was synonymous with the Internet. Now it is losing market share.
IE has no real advantages compared to other browsers. The latest version, IE8, is basically playing catch-up. It is often slower than other browsers and sometimes displays Web sites incorrectly. It also uses system resources heavily. However, users may not always notice these problems.

The entire IE line is plagued with security issues. IE8 is better than 6 or 7, but still not great. If you're using IE, upgrade to IE8.

Microsoft has been showing IE9, and it looks promising. A serious attempt is being made to create a good browser. I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out.

For now, I would ditch IE. Switching to a new browser is easy and free. You can even transfer all your bookmarks and settings with no hassle.

Mozilla Firefox

My long-standing browser recommendation is Mozilla's Firefox. It started the current browser wars after its debut five years ago. It is a descendent of IE's old rival, Netscape. Like all other browsers, it's free.

Firefox was originally designed for speed and simplicity. It is faster than IE and better conforms to Web standards. This means it displays most Web sites correctly.

Firefox is also strong on security. It's obviously not perfect, but the developers are responsive. They fix security problems in a timely manner.

Firefox is highly customizable. You can download add-ons—themes, extensions and plug-ins. Themes are buttons, colors and layouts. Plug-ins are core programs that make Firefox work better. They are usually included in the Firefox download.

Extensions are a particular strength. These are little programs, nearly always free, that add or enhance features. For instance, you can get an extension that pops up reminders. Another verifies the integrity of Web links. There are literally thousands of things you can add.
Mozilla also has regular upgrades. This continually improves Firefox's speed and stability. New features are always being developed.

Google Chrome

Chrome is the newest major browser. It has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in only two years. What else do you expect when it is developed by Google?

Google designed Chrome as a platform for using Web services. That could include Google Search, Google Docs, Gmail and so on. Hmm…Those are all Google products. That's probably just a coincidence!

Chrome is an excellent browser. It's consistently the fastest in browsing tests, although often only by  milliseconds. And it gets a 100 percent in the Acid3 test. That test determines how well a browser complies with Web standards.

By comparison, IE8 gets a 20 percent in the Acid3 test. Firefox comes in at 93 percent.
Chrome is also secure. Like Mozilla, it is responsive to security threats. It even implements security features Firefox doesn't have. This includes a sandbox feature that isolates Web pages from the system. Malicious code can't break out to infect your computer. That's scheduled for Firefox, but hasn't arrived yet.

Chrome's interface is a bit different. It wanted more screen area. So, the interface is minimal and streamlined. It works, but it takes some adjustment.

Where Chrome lags is extensions. Many useful extensions for Firefox aren't available for Chrome. Also, the extension database and installation procedures aren't user-friendly. This is improving, but it's still a consideration.

So, which browser should you choose? Well, I don't recommend Internet Explorer. It has too many security problems. Both Firefox and Chrome are fast and secure. Firefox is customizable; Chrome is simple. If you aren't sure, download and test both. Give Opera a try while you're at it. After all, they're free!

No matter how good your browser, you still need to take security seriously."

Thinking of buying a laptop? Read this first

Call That Girl is one of the many web sites I visit frequently. I readily admit that I don't know everything and like to pick up tidbits or pointers elsewhere whenever I can. Lisa has some very good advice in this blog post of hers, and for those of you in the market for a new laptop this post is highly recommended.

Thinking of buying a laptop? Read this first

Another Norton Bust

Yesterday I had the pleasure of uninstalling another copy of Norton Antivirus and replacing it with Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), my current favorite, recommended, and FREE antivirus and antispyware product.

This particular customer's machine had been infected by one of the ubiquitous rogue programs. His fully-paid-up Norton license did NOT protect him. This is at least the second time I have seen a customer let down by Norton, and it was my pleasure to download and install and run the Norton Removal Tool (thank you for this one good product Symantec!).

Coincidentally, this customer had recently received a notice that his Norton product would expire in a month, and would he please agree to pay $44 to get it renewed for another year. What gall they have.

If you have not yet made the switch, now's a good time to consider doing it.