Internet Explorer vs. FireFox: Which One Is The Best?...

Multimastery · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:34 PM

I've heard varying opinions so now I'm asking my fellow Website Babblers... Which is the best web browser? Internet Explorer or Firefox (and why?).

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Firefox: Safer, faster, awesome plugins, handles CSS better, wasn't made by Microsoft,

and the list could go on and on and on. I can't believe it took me so long to make the switch.

webman · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 09:49 PM

IE drools Firefox rules!!!

Internet Explorer always gave me the run around with it's poor browser interpretation. Whatever didn't work on ie, did for FF.

James · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 11:00 PM

I never noticed that. Well maybe so if you count those on one side who have never given it a serious thought as one side. Those who have are pretty unanimous I think, as you notice so far it is Firefox, Firefox, Firefox...

Seriously there is a valid and important reason for that opinion with those who build sites. Firefox follows standards closely so if you use it as you build your sites they will appear correctly for most folks, unless they have Internet Explorer. If you have problems with Internet Explorer display you can try to adjust for it by finding a hack for it, or usually (easier I think) just find another way to construct your site element.

ssmorgan · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2008, 12:11 AM

I, also, prefer Firefox for exactly the same reasons mentioned above.

Besides to what has already been mentioned, "Firefox" sounds a whole lot cooler than "Internet Explorer" - just kidding of course

TechieGuy · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2008, 06:25 AM

I like Firefox because of the add-ons. Although I have to watch it, too many add-ons has slowed down Firefox...time to disable some.

I still use IE at times for occasional browsing.

Lajocar · #7 (**permalink**) 06-04-2008, 10:47 AM

FireFox is the better web browser

Luci · #8 (**permalink**) 06-04-2008, 01:24 PM

Fireox: smaller file, runs faster, doesn't require that weird ActiveXcontrol for absolutely everything, and doesn't fix HTML so you can actually SEE where you website is going wrong.

augenauf · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 11:35 AM

IE FTW.

As a fascist I like the Microsoft mentality. As a website owner, I like the CSS support.

(IE is still the most popular browser most unbiased polls have found.)

bigtunafan · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 05:37 PM

Firefox by far is the superior browser. For web designers it is a must have because of ALL the addons. For example:

With firefox you can use colorzilla.

With firefox you can use html tidy.

With firefox you can view your PR rank or any sites PR rank.

With firefox surfing the internet is faster and safer than IE.

With firefox the developers are constantly making improvements for a better safer browser.

Those are just a few reason why I choose Firefox over IE and even my second favorite browser Opera.

ppcFanatic · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 10:14 PM

Firefox, most definitely. I try to avoid all MS products as much as I can (except xBox360)

Wow, do this many people use Firefox or has the overwhelming support for Firefox intimidated the IE users so they decided to keep quiet?

ssmorgan · #12 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppcFanatic

Firefox, most definitely. I try to avoid all MS products as much as I can (except xBox360)

Wow, do this many people use Firefox or has the overwhelming support for Firefox intimidated the IE users so they decided to keep quiet?

There is an inherent bias in the population sampled... most webmasters/web developers prefer Firefox, which means that most people here at WB are likely Firefox users. This is my analysis, anyway

James · #13 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 08:52 AM

It is a bias in that the group is skewed in favor of Firefox, but there is good reason.

As observed before, if you work in ie while developing your site you may end up with a site that works in ie but nowhere else. If you work with Firefox, because of the standards compliance, you may end up with a site that works everywhere but ie.

It is easier to fix for one browser and not have to be concerned with so many others, at least for now. It does appear that MS is getting the message, finally, so that may change in time. It may be a while though since it seems to take folks a long time to update even when it is free.

The whole point of my posting this (since it doesn't really state anything new) is to encourage newbies to switch to Firefox if they haven't. You may not see a lot of difference on your own computer, but there may be a lot of folks affected on their sites without your knowing it. Just check your site in ie before you ftp to your host.

ydx · #14 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 10:49 AM

Firefox wins hands down! There are tons of add-ons to make the web experience much better.

I recommend Firefox to everyone I know. Ever since I installed Firefox I haven't looked back except for the Firefox IETab add-on. Even if you're not a web designer/developer, Firefox makes using the internet much more enjoyable.

James · #15 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 11:08 AM

ydx points out a great feature. For those (newbies or anyone else) who may not know, the IETab add-on for Firefox places an icon in your tray so you can make a simple left click to see how what you do affects ie and then click right back.

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