Mozilla and FireFox

What do you think of Mozilla and FireFox?

 

I still keep IE as my default browser and OE as my primary email client.
However I do not limit my options. I have mozilla, firefox, and opera all installed and often work with all four browsers open. Each has its positive and negative aspects and its good points and bad points.
Many opera users for example like the way it renders graphics ; while firefox users rave about its extensions and plugins .

Let me first point out that when Microsoft hears about a hole or flaw in IE, they figure out how to fix it and release a windows update to patch it. That is all you have to do, run windows update.

Most other software does not have the resources Microsoft does to deal with evolving threats; so especially when the threat only affects their software they wait until they have a new version ready to release to fix it. Therefore if you have Mozilla, Firefox, or Opera you want to ensure you have the latest version. While mozilla and firefox have used the "extension/ plugin" technique to patch a couple of holes, generally in order to secure a hole you have to uninstall the old version and download and install the new one.

IE, is the most widely used and accepted browser. Thus there are sites which require that you use it (mostly secure sites) .

Mozilla is huge and includes things (like composer a what you see is what you get wysiwyg web page designer) which most people have no need for. It combines the email client and browser in a single download and install. While there are still extensions and plugins, these are really not needed for most. Mozilla was the core on which Netscape was built.

Firefox is an offshoot of Mozilla, they decided to release the browser, email, web designer etc ; all independently as well as in the combined mozilla. It is "stripped down" and you download and install plugins and extensions to customize it and add features you want. The danger here is that just like IE with active X, you run the risk of a site which installs an extension of being untrustworty or that they did not check it for holes and it opens one (grease monkey is a noteable one. It opens a hole which would allow an unscrupulous web site to view and access any file on your computer). But if you stick to approved extensions it is fairly secure. Also they have now added an integrated "updater" which will let you know when updated versions are out.Nice extensions are adblock, built in popup blocker, spell checker, Quicknote (add on notepad)

Opera is available in a free (with banner ad) and subscribed version. It has tabbed browsing like Mozilla and firefox, and an integrated email client like mozilla.
It has a "delete private data" option to clean all cookies, history, cache etc when you exit with a single click . It has a quick preferences access which lets you turn on and off things like java easily, built in notepad; and as I said nice handling of images (you can just use F10 to view full screen ).

None of these has active x , which means that some sites do not function correctly; but likewise adware,spyware , and viruses which use this to self install do not get installed. Of course they have their own vulnerabilities.

The bottom line is that each has its advantages and flaws. There is no reason to limit your browsing experience.

 

Firefox is an awesome browser. I've used it from day one and continue to marvel at its stability and security. Mozilla is a bit on the bloated side. Some love the integration but I find it unecessary. I have everything I could possibly want in Thunderbird and Firefox... speed, security and stability.

 

I too am a Firefox/Thunderbird user. I switched over about 6 months ago and have only had a couple of instances where I have problems using Firefox - and one of those is getting XP Home updates from Microsoft. I use the "out of the box" versions - don't use/don't need the add-ons and plug ins and other things many tout as advantages. I do keep IE/OE updated and use them from time to time just to keep them current. I didn't have any problems with IE/OE and switched mainly due to the "lower vulnerability" of FF/TB to viruses and hackers - but as time passes that appears to be waning as an advantage.