Web Browsers: so many options, only one choice
Web browsers are often overlooked.
You get used to whatever came with your PC, it works – so you don't want to change anything, and then you forget about it.
But you do have a choice, and that choice effects your security, how fast the pages download, how the pages actually look on your screen, and even the legibility of text.
Put it this way, there's a greater difference between today's browsers, than there is between a 1970's valve telly and modern wide-screen plasma TV.
Web browser rendering
Different browsers interpret a page in different ways.
Web designers have to work round, or generate specific code, purely to solve the bugs and quirks in Internet Explorer.
These effect the layout, restrict the design and slow development. But there is one thing that there's no getting away from – the appalling way IE renders type.
For those of you not on Firefox, this is how all text should look:
Which web browsers are most popular
When it comes to browsing the web, Microsoft dominates.
Their operating system (Windows XP) has 90% of the market, and their generations of Internet Explorer have 66% of all browsing figures.
July 2007
20.1% - Internet Explorer 7
36.9% - Internet Explorer 6
1.5% - Internet Explorer 5
34.5% - Firefox
1.9% - Opera
1.5% - Safari
Recommended viewing for the internet
The people who build websites, view websites in Firefox†
Why? Because Firefox is simpler, safer, faster and smaller, with more time-saving and convenient features than any other browser on the web.
How? Firefox is an Open-Source browser, which means thousands of people all over the world are working on it nightt and day, for free – to develop the best browser for all.
Whereas Internet Explorer is built by employees, and only has major upgrades every few years.
So how come Internet Explorer is so popular?
IE comes bundled with all Microsoft Operating Systems, so they immediately corner the market.
Internet Explorer 6 and older versions are notoriously flaky and are not Standards Compliant (industry standards for viewing and accessibility set by W3C).
Microsoft recently released IE 7. it's their first compliant browser and is a massive leap forward. If you're sticking with the devil you know, I would upgrade today; it has caught up with many of the features of Firefox 1.5.
However, Firefox 2 is now available.
Standards' compliant web browsers
Web standards are set by W3C, a non profit organization dedicated to making the web accessible to all. The following browsers support numerous web standards:
• Firefox
• Netscape v7
• Galeon
• Opera v7
• Safari
• Konqueror
Firefox web browser features – not that I'm biased or anything …
Tabbed Browsing – a great time saving feature which makes it possible to view several web pages in one window.
Fast Searching – Google is built into tool bar, there are Keywords for your bookmarks and an intelligent quick search facility – this brings everything together from your PC, the site your viewing and the world wide web on one screen, fast.
Safety – Firefox is not integrated into your operating system and does not support popular scripts that are known to have security holes – so your personal information is safer. There is a Download Manager, so nothing from the Web will be loaded onto your machine without you first being asked for approval.
Automatic Popup Blocking – stop those annoying popup ads, or you can set it to ask you if you want a pop up to appear.
Dictionary Tooltip - unsure of a word? Double-click any word on the page you are viewing to see its definition.
Customisable – You can make your browser your own with customisable Toolbars and a Theme Manager.
Up-to-date – Firefox checks on the latest up-dates and improvements, which, unlike IE, are regular.
Compatible – Firefox is available for Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Photograph courtesy of Niall O Shea. To view more of his work click here. * Source W3Schools † Firefox or similar, compliant web browsers
