Internet browsers: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?

In the battle of the internet browsers, will heavy hitter Internet Explorer win out or can open source Mozilla Firefox come up trumps?

Ask soloists which web browser they use and most of them will answer “Whatever’s preloaded onto my PC.” Typically, this is either Internet Explorer (IE) for Windows users or Safari for those with Macs.

Knowledge of alternative browsers was thin on the ground until late 2004, when Mozilla Firefox muscled its way onto the scene. Soon it was obvious this new player was a breath of fresh air for users…and a chill wind for its competitors.

Mozilla Firefox is ‘open source’ which basically means it’s been developed by users, for users. Its slogan is ‘taking back the web’ and with 64 million downloads since its launch in November 2004, it seems to be doing just that.

Screenshot - browser icons Curious as to what all the fuss was about, I made the free download a week ago. I can honestly say after about a day of surfing, I was completely won over. As at the start of every romance, I’m discovering new reasons to love Mozilla Firefox every day.

So what’s so great about Mozilla Firefox? Let me count the ways.

1. Tabbed browsing

This enables you to have multiple URLs open in the same browser. You navigate by ‘tabbing’ from one screen to another. Once you use this you realise how annoying managing multiple windows in other browsers is.

2. Bookmark Toolbar

Particularly handy for fans of bookmarking, this toolbar allows you to display your ‘favourites’ horizontally under the title bar. This means you can keep bookmarks on display without having to sacrifice a fifth (or so) of your browser window. While Safari users will be familiar with this tool, it’s not available in Internet Explorer.

3. Integrated search bar

This lives in the top right of the browser and while it’s defaulted to Google, you can also search other popular sites by choosing from a drop down list which you can customise. My list includes IMDB, eBay, Dictionary.com and Amazon.

4. Security

Mozilla Firefox is more secure than its competitors and ensures no Spyware headaches. Smarter than the average browser, it alerts you every time you head into a secure environment (i.e. one requiring usernames and passwords) by turning the title bar’s background yellow.

5. Live bookmarks or RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

I’d heard a lot about RSS but, ironically, didn’t understand it. Thanks to Mozilla Firefox, I now get what it’s about. Basically it’s a way of viewing fresh content from your favourite website without having to navigate through its homepage. When Mozilla Firefox detects a site with RSS an orange logo appears in the URL bar. Have a play and soon you’ll understand RSS too.

6. Find

Ctrl F for what must be the world’s most intuitive ‘search within a page’ facility.

Having blown sunshine at Mozilla Firefox it’s necessary to highlight the one downside - some sites won’t load because they have been designed with just Internet Explorer in mind. However, with millions now choosing Mozilla Firefox for their default browser, site owners will have no choice but to address this disparity.

I wholeheartedly agree with Forbes magazine’s assessment that “Firefox is better than Explorer by leaps and bounds. I don't miss Explorer one iota. Give Firefox a day's worth of Web surfing, and you won't either.”

So take my advice and download today!

Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and its editor. She is the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.

8 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

I couldn't agree more. I've only recently discovered Firefox as well. The tab feature means my desktop is more organized these days! Actually that feature alone makes me prefer it to other browsers. Tip for Mac users: mouse down on hyperlinks and you get the option to open in a new tab. Mike from Chatswood, NSW
Here, here! No one should waste their time on IE which is now well outdated. I've just switched to a Mac (which is wonderful, but another story) but have stuck with Firefox simply because it is so good.
By the way, if you're looking for an email client replacement for Outlook or Outlook Express, Firefox's partner Thunderbird is also pretty good. David Brewster from Brunswick, Victoria
I'm a web designer and Firefox has saved my working life...well, probably the collective sanity of many web developers. IE has been a very problematic browser in terms of non-standards-compliance, showing few attempts to comply with current standards of things like Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) support, and only does so when put under great pressure. That great pressure has come along in the form of the value of Firefox. It's popularity won't cause much of dint in Microsoft's browser-market-share due to the browser being built into the Windows operating system.
I'm happy that the public pressure for a more secure and more usable web browser (and Mail app - see Thunderbird) has been answered by Firefox. I hope Microsoft will do something major to change the problems incumbent within IE.
For any web designers/developers out there not familiar with the Firefox extension called the 'Web Developers Toolkit', it is worth a look, it is an amazing useful piece of software, especially for visualising and troubleshooting structure, CSS, and the DOM. Darryl Butler from Canberra
Hi,
I am a home loan broker, & part of what I live & die by is my laptop. I stumbled on Firefox about 6 months ago, & after asking a few people who seem to know more than me about these things( which is not a lot), started to use it. In general it seems quicker, simpler & easier than IE, plus I was having problems with IE freezing up, which Firefox has not done once. A couple of people I have mentioned it to have hesitated because they see themselves as IT dills. For that very reason its well worth using. I looked at Thunderbird & it seems I cant use it at work because it wont work in a network. John from Adelaide
I agree. The only downside is that you can't use some transactional internet sites. For example, I can't use internet banking through Westpac with Firefox. And the National internet banking let's you use it, but gives you about 5 warnings before you can! So I have to still use both - at least for now. Megan Tough from Sydney
Slightly off-subject, but still on free technology for the people. If money's something you have to watch, you might like to check out Skype. Grant Hyman from Berowra, Sydney

8 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

Add Your comments

Preview comment

Name

Website *

Town / city and country

Email (never sold, displayed or given away)

* This will link your name to your site. So please avoid self promotion elsewhere! We delete spam, disrespectful or off-topic comments.