So why should we use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer?

Well, the immediate benefit, thought not a very exciting one is that of security.
Firefox is a far more secure browser than Internet explorer. You are far less likely to get hacked or get"a worm" when using Firefox.

Im sure that's a reason for the techies to love it and the rest of us to be indifferent though.

If you are looking for reasons why users would love Firefox. You only have to look at tabbed browsing.





Ever had the need to see more than one web page at the same time. Instead of opening loads of windows. Why not have a nice bar at the top of the page with clickable tabs that transports you effortlessly between pages? With Firefox you can have this ...and more.


More? You say...Yes more , because Firefox is a customisable browser, that means that you can add things to it... not just google toolbar..but any toolbar. Mozilla the company who make firefox have an addons page where developers submit loads of useful tools to improve the way the browser works.

Not happy with the boring old Grey Browser? You can customise the way Firefox looks too!

As I said in my previous post, since I installed firefox, I haven't looked back. It's also a great tool for web designers. When you build a site and preview it in firefox, you know all your features work in other browsers, and also that you are designing with the best and most upto date Web standards in mind.

So here's the challenge, download a trial of Firefox and use it for a month. Then tell me which Browser you prefer and why.

I'm positive it will be Bye Bye I.E.

Browser wars are back

If you thought the "Browser wars" of the last few years were over, think again. After Internet Explorer won out so convincingly a few years ago, most people thought that they could just go to sleep and use ie forever.

Well, for just over a year Mozilla's Firefox browser has been making big ripples. I personally have been using Firefox for about 8 months now. I have even installed it on the G5 as my browser of choice.

Whilst I'd love to sit here and Evangalise, the point of me making this point is simply that most of the schools in Stoke-on-Trent are still all using Internet Explorer.

I understand that the reason for this is "network related". Internet explorer, which is bundled with windows is easy for technicians to deploy. They have years of experience with all its teatures and plugins. Many educational packages link directly to Internet explorer. and furthermore the vast majority of teachers and pupils have experience with it.

However, despite these obvoious reasons for Interent explorers continued usage. I am still in favour of Firefox trials. Wouldn't it be great if Head Technicians and heads of department, downloaded Firefox at home and gave it a months trial?

In the late 1990's I worked at Staffordshire University IT Services dept. Staffs uni still used Netscape 4 back then, and trying to get them to adopt Internet Explorer was really difficult. "User familiarity" was cited as the main reason for keeping Netscape. I argued with my boss that surely user experience, reliability and standards compliance outweigh user familiarity.

Today I'm having the same argument with people in the Education authority.

So Now I'm going to be bold. Why not checkout Firefox? Why not..Are you afraid to try something new? I'll provide the link to the software and then I'd like you to leave me feedback on the features of the browser. Who knows, maybe, just maybe we will see Firefox replace Internet explorer sometime soon.

Here is the link to the software and also some relevant links.

Download Firefox


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