Browser Beginner-can you have more than one browser

Hi..interested in trying some of the other internet browsers like opera and firefox - currently using IE 7. Have heard that some browsers will not work with some sites and worry I might lose some of my data or capability, for instance if you add a browser like firefox do you lose your outlook express email or your email address (I'm using earthlink)?

Can you have more than one browser on your system and what would be the benefit or problems I might have. Searched the browser web sites and they all sound terrific so I am having a hard time deciding if it would be good to switch. I'm not a techie so fooling around with software usually doesn't work out very well for me.

I would appreciate any feedback about this browser question. Thanks in advance...Michelle

 

Well, Like Broni said you can have as many browsers as you like but:......

For starters, I will suggest you try Firefox which is a stand alone browser and the latest and greatest.

A companion to that for e-mail is Thunderbird which sort of gives you a browser/e-mail combination package same as does IE and Outlook Express.

I'm a cantankerous old man set in his ways who used Netscape for a long time until the AOL Dummies got hold of it.

Therefore, I now use Seamonkey as my primary browser because it is Identical to the old Netscape which is a Suite arrangement meaning is has e-mail built right into the browser.

Bottom Line, I suggest you try Firefox/Thunderbird and Seamonkey to see which combination you might like.

For what it's worth all 3 programs come from the Mozilla Group.

I currently have installed on my computer all of the above plus some old version of Netscape because again as Broni said having more then one browser allows you to trouble shoot when a problem occurs.

I'll also tell you that different browsers and even different versions of browsers are subject to displaying the exact same web page slightly different. This is mostly noticeable between IE and the Mozilla browsers.

I might add installing more then one of the Mozilla browsers they will attempt to use the same profile and it is recommended you create a separate profile for each one.

My 2 cents, Ray

 

No, you won't lose anything with Firefox, as it is a standalone browser (no mail). I don't use IE, or OE, but it is possible to Import mail into Thunderbird or SeaMonkey from Outlook and Outlook Express. You can also import Address Books.

See this FAQ: http://www.mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/faq#migration

 

Thanks for the info...

Your information was great - eliminated some confusion on my part - interested in firefox due to the add-ons. Gonna try to install at least firefox - can always go back to restore. Thanks again....Michelle

 

Don't even think about restore. If you don't like Firefox, you can uninstall it from the Add/Remove. I am using several browsers, at any given time, and, as long as as they are installed in separate folders, and use separate profiles (for Mozilla/Netscape), you will not have to worry about anything.
You may want to use restore, only, as a last resort.

 

I concur with Westside, Restore does not restore everything and just what it does and does not restore I have no idea so, I do not use or depend on it for anything and never will.

My 2 Cents, Ray

 

Broni, Thanks for providing the two links about Restore, - I have added them to my Important Link Page at www.raysmyth.net/campout2.html

I have never really understood exactly what Restore did and these two links do a good job of explaining the function and intent of Windows Restore program.

Again Thanks, Ray

 

Try as many browsers as you possibly can....

You can play with so many different browsers just to get a good feel of what you want best...or you can use them all together.

Just a tip...Get Firefox 3.0 instead of Firefox 2.0+...Firefox 2.0+ tends to eat a good deal of the system resources...Firefox 3.8 is a bit lighter.

 

FF 3.8??? I know that there is a beta release for 3.05 but I was unaware of 3.8. And while it may be a bit easier on resources, it is still beta and still not meant for the general public.

 

The 3.8 must be a typo. And, on the same note what is 3.05? I think it is 3b5, where b stands for beta. I would get that beta only to play with it, because sooner or later it will be replaced by a final version.

 

A lot of people shy away from having more than one browser, fearing that terrible things will happen. They won't, and "broni "'s reason is an excellent reason.