Firefox or Netscape preferred browser?

I have been thinking about Netscape and read an article in our PC magazine about the browser. They give a very good review for people who do not have FF but they also note it is still to be perfected.

Is it preferable to use Netscape over just having IE as it is today but installing Firefox as a separate browser? I realise NS gives the advantage to render in IE or the FF engine but wonder if the memory usage would be less by just installing FF

I know a lot are FF fans full stop even though others think the tabbed browsing in FF is not very sleek. I have never used FF because of the 'going back in time' reports yet I am still puzzled when there obviously is a fan club for this browser

Am I loosing out by ignoring FF or NS and given the choice which would be the best solution. It is not particularly the security reasons for install, I just feel I need to keep ahead a bit more and decide on another browser.

Currently have Avant (for tabbed browsing)

I have FF and the full version of NS downloaded but can't decide!

I have used and am using Opera on my notebook computer.

Thanks for any advice.

 

Years ago, AOL bought Netscape browser. They continued allowing the developers to release an open source version (Mozilla) along with the version they released. This Netscape was and remains basically a bloated branded version of Mozilla with a bunch of AOL applications included in the bundle along with nags to register a netscape email account etc.

Not to long ago (netscape 7.2) AOL announced they had signed a deal with Microsoft to develope future AOL browsers and no longer needed Netscape so they would not be releasing any more versions. They agreed to free the mozilla community and provide some future funding.

Then Mozilla released Firefox which took the net by storm and became more popular than Netscape had ever dreamed of.

At this point, AOL had second thoughts and asked for a Firefox base Netscape (netscape 8) and released it.

So, if you are a dedicated netscape user and do not mind the AOL stuff (AIM, Viewpoint ,Desktop weather, and a few others ) which may be installed with it, then it is worth getting.

If you are just looking for a second browser, stick to Firefox, the core without the ****.

 

I don't know what is wrong with Tabbed Browsing in Firefox, but I know that Tabbed Browsing, as available in NS8 turned me away from it. I have had to trim down the totally insane (or may be just "clever" default settings.
For me Tabs are means to access a number of websites, at any given time.
I am using 7 different tabs in this version. With NS8, I must have one setting, to remind me that I have x number of open tabs, because I am not used to work only with tabs. I had found myself exiting the browser, because I had used the Close (X) button, instead of closing an additional tab which had opened. I think that I have tamed the tab settings.
NS8 is flexible enough, but it takes time to get it to work the way you do.
By the way Netscape8 is being developed for AOL by a third party.
I have cable, and there is no reason not to have every browser which is available, and I have both FF and NS installed. FF is my default browser. I, occasionally, have used NS8 in the IE mode, with limited success. Some dingbat websites do sniff that it is not the real thing.
IE is my browser of last resort. I will have to take a second look to Avant, instead.

 

Wow thank you for the details. I only discovered the AOL association a while ago but did not think of all the things I would not need in a browser such as Netscape as I do not like AOL's style of most things.

I don't want bloat either as this was one aim to do without too much bloat even all the extensions for FF would not appeal to me - both posts have given me food for thought.

I have only 'just' found out a minute ago that the developer of Avant browser is in the Alpha stages of a Mozilla based version of Avant called Orca
not even in beta yet but worth watching now.

I know I could install and try but I do like to keep things tidy and not have install/uninstall with browsers but I certainly will take another look at the actual FF browser even though I was a little worried about setting it up.

Thanks again I have learned a lot from your posts.

 

Hi Beverly,

Time for my 2 cents worth ...

Admittedly, I'm a confirmed Firefox user. I've been using FF almost exclusively for about 2 1/2 years, on both my desktop and laptop computers, with Thunderbird as my email client. NS 4.x had become too long in the tooth, and I found that NS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, and Mozilla failed (and have continued to fail) to meet my needs.

Like Westside, I have a cable connection, but find it unnecessary to clutter my computers with every browser available. FF more than fills the bill, and its numerous extensions give it capabilities far beyond what's built in. Whoever thinks FF's tabbed browsing "is not very sleek" hasn't explored some of those extensions.

For the few times when a page doesn't display properly and it's necessary to use IE or one of its many shells (I prefer SlimBrowser), I can open the page in IE or SlimBrowser directly from FF using the Launchy extension, whose icon sits on my FF toolbar. No need to open IE and type in the URL, or cut and paste it from FF.

Avant is another IE shell, and I found Opera unnecessarily complicated to configure. For configurability and ease of use, Firefox gets my vote. Best of all, if you use a zipped version, it doesn't need to be installed.

 

I just installed Avant, which is the most flexible browser I ever saw. But, there is one thing which I have not found, i.e. how to keep Tabs. That is the feature I like about the Mozilla-related browsers, although I have been know to be carried away ( in one case I was able to squeeze 20 Tabs), but I like to have all my most used pages open in separate tabs.
Extentions are a big problem, at times, but a necessary evil. One has to use wisdom in selecting them.

 

zipped version - VERY new to me

I have been putting off FF for so long as it seems to be a love/hate with people I know but these posts have me thinking - 'minib install FF'

Will be back later to read more (rushing just now)

Opera is fine on my notebook - I think I have it configured so hopefully if I did that I would be fine with FF might even try FF on my notebook soon before desktop (should be OK with Opera there I hope) or maybe best to wait until tomorrow and install on my main PC (scary to think!!)

Thanks again this feedback is helping me a lot.

 

Westside my tabs stay open in Avant although I never keep 20 open!
I have an older version but if you go to the options - open new window etc this should set your tabs. I have moved mine to the top of my bar as the bottom did block a few websites on me.

One feature you will like with Avant if setup is Groups - I have one with all my webmail url's - select open all in this group and I check each one easily

I wish as I was as confident just to install a browser and then wonder about it. I would like to see if I can try FF before actually installing. I know I will need some extensions but hopefully not bloat to slow the browser down.

So many things to think about

 

" if you use a zipped version "

Haven't heard of the "zipped" version, but would like to know more about it.
Rob Allen

 

Rob,

The zipped version is a "nightly" or "aviary" build, and is not an official release. They are stable for the most part, but still beta: Today's Aviary

Official Release

Extensions are not for everyone. The only extension I use is SpellBound, which checks spelling for message board posts, blog entries, etc. I haven't found a need for any other extension in using Firefox. Firefox 1.5 which is due out next month will be even faster, friendlier user interface, more features. My vote goes to Firefox, and Thunderbird for Mail!

 

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/nightly/
There three different type of downloads, and one might as well scroll to the bottom of the list, since they are the most recent. As far as I understand: The Aviary variety is based on the present FF1.0.6. The 1.8 (1.8b4 milestone) which is called FF1.5b1 will be a follow up of the future 1.5, which is installed as 1.4 something or other.
And, the trunk variety, which is, probably FF1.6a1, and based on the 1.9a1 milestone.
I have FF1.0.6 installed, and the 1.8a4 as an unzipped file. One uses it by creating a shortcut of the .exe file. Unzipped files are not listed in the Add/Remove, and a simple deletion of the unzipped file and shortcut removes the program. I use a separate profile for such program.
Is my computer cluttered? May be, because I don't have the time to do more than look at most browsers. I have been, primarilily, as an aid, if someone have a question. they come and go all the time, and, if necessary the Registry can be flushed out.

 

The Official Release to which Ramona links is the installer version of FF 1.0.6. Until yesterday, when 1.0.7 became available as the nightly Aviary build, 1.0.6 was the nightly Aviary. The difference is completely internal, in what's known as the Gecko rendering engine; FF 1.0.6 used Gecko version 1.7.10, while 1.0.7 uses Gecko version 1.7.12

The link Westside provides takes you to a page which lists links to the nightly builds, but it can be terribly confusing, as, for any given date, there may be multiple listings for "/trunk" (FF 1.61a), for "/aviary1.0.1" (FF 1.0.7), and for "/mozilla1.8" (FF 1.4). Why? Because there are builds for Linux and the Mac, as well as for Windows, and the Windows builds are further divided into installer builds (.exe) and stand-alone builds (.zip).

I have no desire to be on the cutting edge, but I do like to stay reasonably current, so I use the aviary 1.0.7 builds found on the "/aviary1.0.1" pages. They are stable and reliable, and the ten extensions I use work well with them. Because I want more control over the program, and because I update on an almost daily basis, I use the zipped builds rather than the installer (.exe) builds.

To my way of thinking, only the OS and its supporting folders/files belong on the C: drive, so my hard drive is partitioned to keep my data separate. Although FF writes to the registry, I keep it and its profile folder on my data partition. The only piece of FF on the C: drive is C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Mozilla, which contains a registry information file and a Firefox subfolder, which contains two files: one with plugin information, and another, telling FF where to look for the desired profile.

Using a zipped build of Firefox is simplicity, itself ...

1. If you have been using an installed version of FF or Netscape, uninstall it using Add/Remove on the Control Panel. Use a program like the free RegSeeker to clean the registry of all references to the program you've just uninstalled.

2. Unzip the FF build to the location of your choice (preferably off the C: drive, if possible).

3. Before running FF for the first time, run the Profile Manager

Start > Run > type <path to>\firefox.exe -p

(On my computer <path to>\firefox.exe is E:\Mozilla\Programs\Firefox\firefox.exe)​

4. Create a new profile in the location of your choice (preferably off the C: drive, if possible).

5. Run FF. ​

I should note here that FF's toolbar can be customized almost any way you want ... right-click anywhere in the toolbar outside the address and search windows and select "Customize... ". Elements can be moved around to suit your needs. I should also note that, although I use WinXP, I use the Windows Classic display (like Win9x) and I use no FF themes. I don't care for the current FF logo (in the upper left corner, above the toolbar), which looks like roadkill to me, so I use the old "bonfire" logo from the days when FF was called Firebird.

For some reason I'm unable to upload an image, but I've posted an image on my website of how the plain vanilla FF toolbar looks, and how my customized toolbar looks, by comparison. My toolbar shows icons and tabs for six of the ten extensions I have installed

FF Toolbars​

 

Thank you for all of this, definitely a lot for me to work out in my mind for this browser install.

My hard drives are partitioned and I do like to keep things separate but would not have known how to set up FF such as Jim has by creating a new profile on my data partition (this anwsers a question I was trying to work out with Opera and moving the cache)

I am still a little worried about using what really is a beta style version for stability issues especially when I have never used the browser. I do worry a lot as you may have guessed

I will go to the links and see if I can work out these nightly builds but this would mean everyday I need to download an update or would I have to download a new zip version each time removing my old one? Sorry to ask yet more

If I think I could not cope with versions which may not be stable would it be worth my while waiting until the new FF which is now in beta is issued tried and tested?

I thought I would have this installed today (or zippy one) but am trying to catch up with myself after a not so nice morning. I will be checking the various things and have printed the details above, just a delay in my install just when I was getting excited about FF something gets in my way to actually try today.

Many thanks for the extra details and help, I know for sure I am feeling a lot better about this browser already

I like this Ramona

hadn't even thought about their mail

 

Although the nightly "\aviary1.0.1" builds (now FF 1.0.7) might be considered beta, they are far more stable and reliable than the "\trunk" or \mozilla1.8" builds. The current Official Release build is FF 1.0.6, which was a nightly Aviary build until the day before yesterday. Unfortunately (for me, anyway) it's available only as an installer build.

No, as the builds change little from day to day. I suspect that many users are still using builds predating the first Official Release, 1.0, simply because they've been too lazy to upgrade. I upgrade frequently more out of habit than for any other reason.

Stability really isn't an issue if you stick to the Aviary builds, as FF is a tried and true browser. There are still bugs to be worked out, to be sure, but that's true of almost any piece of software. By delaying, you're denying yourself the use of a great browser.

On another topic:

Ramona and Westside have expressed reservations about the use of extensions. There are literally hundreds of extensions which extend the features or capabilities of FF, and it's up to the user to pick and choose the ones he/she finds useful. Ramona uses only Spellbound (which I do not), but I use ten others ... some I probably could do without, but the others are absolutely essential to my use of FF.

For anyone interested, I use:

Adblock Plus 0.5.9.2
Bookmark Backup 0.3.3
* FlashGot 0.5.9.91
* InfoLister 0.8.2
* Launchy 4.0.0
* Menu Editor 1.2
* MR Tech Local Install 3.0.1
PrefBar 3.1.0
SpoofStick 1.05
Tabbrowser Extensions 1.14.2005091501​

Those marked with an asterisk can also be used with Thunderbird.

 

Then install Firefox 1.0.6, which is an Official Release. Firefox 1.0.7 will be out in a week or so, which will also be an official Release, then Firefox 1.5 which will be out in a few weeks. The 1.0.7 Release will be a fix for the latest security vulnerability.

 

You would probably be well advised to wait a few weeks (as Ramona has posted) for the official release. There's really no need to rush IMO.

Like you, I also use Opera and find myself bouncing between FF and Opera frequently. The latest version is very user-friendly and fast. Anyway, I'm sure that either FF or Opera would be a much better fit than NS8. Again... just my opinion.

Good luck,

 

Thanks again for the advice.
Today was lost to me as far as browsers/computers went but all the information in this thread has been very helpful.

I am still not too sure if I understand the nightly build things and don't think my confidence in making sure I had the right one etc would be the best for this. Fine if I was used to Firefox and knew exactly how it worked but I have never, ever used the browser before
If I did find confidence then the zip build would be best tried on my notebook first!

My current thinking is to wait until the really new build arrives for my first run with FF as a browser. I am using Opera at the moment on my notebook it s working fine for me at the moment.

I now know I am anxious to try FF and maybe do as James does keep both on my computer. I really have learned a lot more than I ever thought when I first started to think specifically about FF.

Great to have all this advice in a section of BBS I rarely visited before, thank you

 

You're not alone, and I'm not certain that anyone does except, perhaps, the project managers. It's important to remember that FF and TBird are open source projects, meaning that anyone, anywhere, is free to contribute time, effort, ideas, suggestions, and yes, money. Development is ongoing all the time, on many levels, with everything out in the open, subject to trial and criticism, unlike software developed by a company for profit, or by an individual author either for profit or out of the goodness of his heart because he recognizes a need and responds to it, gratis.

That's why you'll find a number of different versions/builds available at any given time ... because different people, all over the world, are working on different aspects of the programs at the same time.

Perhaps the project managers could have done a better job of keeping the number of versions/builds available somewhat more limited, but I don't really see how, given the fact that the programs are open source, and anyone is free to post his/her own build of any given version.

What I really wish they had done was keep the numbering system a bit more rational. For instance, I don't mind that version 1.0.6 was replaced by 1.0.7 in the dark, so to speak, but why are they both found on a page labeled "aviary1.0.1 "? The page labeled "mozilla1.8" actually yields links to FF 1.4, while the "trunk" pages currently show FF 1.6a1.

The "trunk" builds, as I understand them, are at the cutting edge of development, and are not intended to be used by the general public. The "aviary" builds, on the other hand, are for those who wish to keep up with the developing program without going out on the proverbial limb. I don't understand why "mozilla1.8" (which I thought was still a suite) links to FF 1.4.

Reason for edit: Added some thoughts.

 

It is even more absurd. The 1.8 nightlies yielded 1.5, till 9-5, and then when those geniuses came up with the 1.5 betas or whatever, the same nightlies went down to 1.4. I have seen what they look like, and those nightlies are hanging by a thread. The 9-5 nightly is very stable, whatever it is.

 

btw, miniB

I have a FF button from nontroppo which allows me to browse in Opera but when I want to render a page in FF I just click on that FF button in my toolbar and voila... FF takes over. It's really very cool.