Firefox VS. IE 6.0

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Ok. I would like to know the pros and cons between the two. I currently have IE 6.0. It seems to have many of the same features as Firefox. I have never used Firefox and after reading Aaron's post in "AVG Vs. PCillan", I'm just wondering. Has anyone used both and which do you like better? Thanks.

 

[James FreemanJr]

I like Firefox better myself. I like the layout more and the fact that they have alot of useful plugins for it also.

 

[Rodney Carnes]

I agree with ions. I like Firefox much better. Uses less resources, more plug-ins, scripts, themes, the download manager, tabbed browsing.............

 

[D Knx]

Firefox, far and away is much better.



Pros: Very little if any spyware issues, your able to modify it to your liking. Can use a Master Password to protect all your personal information, this is the feature I like.



Cons: May take some getting used too if you've been an IE user exclusively.



Also try Thunderbird for your email much more user friendly than Outlook Express in my opinion.



D-

 

[Richard L]

stonemiser,

It's a personal preference thing. Each has it's pro's and con's and you will have to try each one an make your own determination. You can download it free



The biggest advantage of Foxfire was the fact that it was deemed to be immune to all the security attacks that plague IE. That was almost three years ago and since there have been numerous hacks done on Foxfire.



There is really no difference in the security of either program. IE has more security breaches now because it is by far the most popular browser. The truth is that if everyone switched to Foxfire, there would be as many or more seurity breaches as IE. The hackers go for the numbers and if only one out of 25 people use Foxfire, they will have more sucess going after IE. Neither browser is any harder or easier to hack.



...Rich

 

[Sean M 2]

I recently downloaded IE 7. I find it to be a major improvement over IE 6. Tabbed browsing, integrated popup blocker, better security. That being said, I concede that Firefox is hard to beat.

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Rich, so you're saying it's like comparing Apple computers to PC's. The reason Apple computer's "don't get viruses" is because not as many people use them so the Hackers don't target them as much. If they did, they don't get the "shock effect", right?



Now does Firefox work with Outlook Express? I like OE and probably wouldn't change that out. Would there be any confict between the two programs?



Also, will I have to change anything to work with Firefox?



I know I'm asking alot of questions, but I'm just somewhat computer savy. Not an expert.



Also, sorry, I do have 7.0 not 6.0. It has the tab feature and such. I do like it better than 6.0, but have heard you guys talk about Firefox and wanted to get input on it.

 

[Travis Munday]

I'm pretty sure Outlook works with FF. I use Thunderbird (you can import all your Outlook stuff to Thunderbird...) now, but I used to use Outlook and am fairly certian I used FF and OL together.



That whole "hackers follow the masses" thinking is correct, to an extent. FireFox is open source, that means ANYONE can freely download the source of the program, including hackers. But, because it is open source, there are very brilliant minds who write the program and make it so that hackers can't breach the security of the program. Is it impossible to hack FF? No, but it is much less likely. Also, since it is open, the program reacts very quickly to any breaches and flaws. In fact, you can download a new version of FF every nite. It isn't recommended as much of the stuff involved in "nightly releases" is in alpha testing at best.



Anyway, I highly recommend FF. I've been using it for more then a year now and haven't looked back. The features are just incomparable, the ease of use and flexibility is great as well. It's a free program that downloads quickly, try it (you don't have to get rid of IE) and you'll never turn back. You don't have to change anything to use it.

 

[D Knx]

No, you can still keep which ever email service you choose, Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.



Thunderbird is a separate downloadable email program.



D-

 

[Richard L]

stonemiser,

Yes. Microsoft IE is the most prolific browser in use worldwide, that is why it is targeted for security breaches. No other browser, or software has been hacked more often than Microsofts, but If MAC's or LINUX were the most popular, they would be attacked the same way.



I know that Foxfire will work with Eudora email, so it should work with OE. In reality the browser and email clients are two separate animals and operate independently of each other.



I personally don't use any email client like Outlook, Eudora, etc. I have only beenusing Web based email for about 3 years now. That is an excellent form of passive virus protection. If no email is downloaded to your PC you do not get any email viruses. Any viruses that may exist in the emails can only run on the webmail host server not on my PC. Webmail uses proprietary email clients that do not allow viruses through like the standard email clients like Outlook or Eudora, etc.



If I do want to download the email or attachement, I can do that and my SurfinGuard Pro will catch any executable that contains viruses, worms or Trojan horses.



I see no viable reason to use an email client on my PC. Web mail is far superior and more secure.



.Rich

 

[Casey B]

I use both and prefer Firefox over IE. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dallas Starr]

I prerfer Firefox over 6.0.... but i prefer 7.0 over firefox

 

[George C]

stonemiser,



I like IE better myself and agree with Rich's statements. If you have Windows XP I would download the IE7 beta. It is now in the release candidate category and is stable. With the new tabbed browsing IE7 is much better than Firefox in my opinion.



George

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Thanks alot all, this is really informative. George C, I have IE 7. I thought it was 6 but it's really 7.



Rich, thanks for the advise. It really makes sence about OE and webbased e-mail.



Again, thanks for the input.

 

[Terry O]

I prefer IE 7 RC1



Firefox doesn't run stable on my computer for more then 2 weeks.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

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[Robert Poole]

I use firefox and outlook express, have been using them both for a long time and have no issues, both *play* well together.



have a good one



Bob

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

I use Firefox, to be honest with you, most of the features that you are now seeing in IE were first implemented in Firefox, especially the tab browser, Pop Up Blocker and a few other features. I think you will find that FIrefox will run a little faster and use less resources as well. i think that it's a bit more efficient overall.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I am using Firefox and Outlook 2007 Beta. I also have IE 7 Beta, but don't like it as well. Firefox has extensions which you can install which give Weather, world clocks, etc. at the very bottom of the firefox window. This is very convenient in my opinion. You can see what I am talking about at the bottom of this screen shot.



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[Mike Montes]

I used IE for many years but a friend of mine that is computer savy recommended I try Firefox. I have used it for 6 months and have had many more problems with it than IE. in fact just two weeks ago I switched back to IE. I actually had one of the rare glitches occure in my home computer and on my laptop. The problems started several months ago and I was finally able to figure out that FF caused the problems. My computers were both running very slow. internet surfing was actually at dial up speed. I have a DSL connection. It turns out that when FF updates itself it sometimes will update on top of itself without getting rid of the previous version. So When I originally downloaded FF it only used about 30MB. after the 6 months FF had grown to 1.3 Gigs need less to say as soon as I got rid of FF my computer started working normal as it had previously. No firefox for me. I will stick with Internet Explorer.



Good luck on your choice



Mike