Internet Browser thread (not bowser!) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

theonlywhiteout · 11-11-2010, 07:57 PM

So let me preface this by writing I have no particular allegiance to any one web browser. I have Chrome, FF, and the new IE 9 beta installed. I want 3 things: speed, security, and compatibility. Yet it seems that browsers always seem to follow the same old arc (at least my experience, I could be wrong). The browser comes out and is super fast well programmed. Then over years new features are needlessly or carelessly added and it gets bogged down. Maybe that's just what I think from using Firefox because right now I'm very disillusioned with Mozilla (especially after mobile me seems to be totally unusable on firefox).

So what do you use? Why do you use it? Are you looking forward to Ie9? FF 4? Whatever chrome is up to?

theonlywhiteout · 11-11-2010, 08:00 PM

btw after using IE9 for like.. 5 mins.. I am amazed. Way to go MS... way to go..

sclitheroe · 11-11-2010, 08:39 PM

The best browser is the one you have with you.

By avoiding plugins and features specific to any one browser, and essentially using stock browsers out of the box, you'll have pretty much the exact same experience and functionality wherever you go and whatever you use.

I don't want multiple toolbars, stupid plugins, doodads, gizmos, geegaws, chrome wingtips, hood scoops, or aftermarket spoilers.

Just give me the content faithfully rendered in a simple unadorned window, and I'm good to go.

Hack&Lube · 11-11-2010, 08:45 PM

I use opera as everything is built in you don't need apps and widgets and addons, etc. All the unique and revolutionary features that make web browsing great are built in, full customizability of the look of the browser (you can practically do anything you want with the menus, bars, boxes, what have you, etc. Opera typically has most of the innovative features before others. I think Opera was one of the first with mouse gestures. They also started the speed-dial page thing.

dissentowner · 11-11-2010, 08:51 PM

I use Firefox myself, Safari would bog down or crash whenever it encountered gifs. I tried Opera but I found I could not access some web sites like Sportsnet or Slam Sports.

Rathji · 11-11-2010, 09:29 PM

For me, bookmark syncing is the most important part of my browsing experience.

For that reason, I went with Chrome. Although Opera wasn't that bad in terms of it. Firefox's foxmarks worked as well, but messing with plugins wasn't what I wanted to deal with.

Buff · 11-11-2010, 09:40 PM

Been using FireFox since it was just a beta. Before that I was on Mozilla and Netcape before that. I use IE from time to time since I have to provide tech support for it. Haven't really had much time to try out Chrome. Dabbled with Safari, but I'm pretty much loyal to FireFox. I like it, I don't have any problems with it, so I'll stick with it.

IMO there isn't really a "best" browser. Sure, each browser does something better than other browsers do, but the best broser for any particular user is the one that they feel comfortable using and also that gives them what they need.

theonlywhiteout · 11-11-2010, 09:40 PM

What browers syncs best with an iphone? besides safari :P

Rathji · 11-11-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonlywhiteout

What browers syncs best with an iphone? besides safari :P

I really like Opera on my Mom's iPhone and my BB. I am pretty sure the browser sync works between computer and mobile device, but I have never tried it since opera on my computer wasn't really doing it for me..

Nammer403 · 11-11-2010, 10:31 PM

im using ie8 atm, ive always been using ie so im used to everything they have, i love the tabs and such, ive tried using firefox but i didnt like the download tray they ha

FlamesPuck12 · 11-11-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I use opera as everything is built in you don't need apps and widgets and addons, etc. All the unique and revolutionary features that make web browsing great are built in, full customizability of the look of the browser (you can practically do anything you want with the menus, bars, boxes, what have you, etc. Opera typically has most of the innovative features before others. I think Opera was one of the first with mouse gestures. They also started the speed-dial page thing.

Didn't they also come up with tabbed browsing first?

photon · 11-11-2010, 10:47 PM

Using Chrome, but don't like how much memory it uses. I tend to have a lot of tabs open, and it's not unusual for Chrome to use 2GB of RAM!! Way too much. Plus no print preview and can't get the properties for an image by right clicking on the image.

Firefox 4 beta has been pretty decent, haven't tried Beta 7 yet, supposedly their javascript is now faster than Chrome.

FlamesPuck12 · 11-11-2010, 11:07 PM

^ Just tried using Firefox 4.0 again, and it still feels too clunky.

I used to use Firefox 3 then switched to Chrome and then I gave Opera a try after reading about it on CP about a year or so ago. After trying out Opera, there's no way I'm going back to any other browsers since browsing is so smooth on Opera. I've gave Firefox 4.0 a shot but it still feels way too clunky and slow. Opera crashes once in awhile but I'm willing to deal with that since every other experience is so smooth compared to other browsers.

wooohooo · 11-12-2010, 12:55 AM

I used to use Firefox but since I've discovered Opera, it's just too good. I mainly just care about how if I type in 'C' it would fill in calgary puck for me, and if it's not I just keep typing it out. Seemingly small detail but makes a huge difference vs firefox.

MickMcGeough · 11-12-2010, 09:22 AM

I rotate between FireFox, Safari, and Chrome. Each has little things I like more than the others and there's no clear winner in my mind.

Used to use FireFox exclusively but the awful JS performance eventually killed it as my main browser. With 3 gmail tabs, a google docs tab, often a google calendar tab all open at the same time, as well as whatever I'm working on - I need Chrome or Safari for that.

Firefox is my main "work" browser because I simply can't live without FireBug.

Super impressed with IE9 so far - part of me is just waiting for the other shoe to drop though. What a turnaround if it's as good as it looks. I seriously don't have a single complaint thus far but I've only used it to try it out and future-proof some sites on.

theonlywhiteout · 11-12-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I rotate between FireFox, Safari, and Chrome. Each has little things I like more than the others and there's no clear winner in my mind.

Used to use FireFox exclusively but the awful JS performance eventually killed it as my main browser. With 3 gmail tabs, a google docs tab, often a google calendar tab all open at the same time, as well as whatever I'm working on - I need Chrome or Safari for that.

Firefox is my main "work" browser because I simply can't live without FireBug.

Super impressed with IE9 so far - part of me is just waiting for the other shoe to drop though. What a turnaround if it's as good as it looks. I seriously don't have a single complaint thus far but I've only used it to try it out and future-proof some sites on.

Seriously isn't it a shock tho? I give microsoft no credit for most things but this looks awesome so far. I used to love FF but it seems to be bogged down with each new release. Meanwhile, Chrome seems super fast. Only reason I haven't switched entirely yet is I don't care for the bookmarks system.

opera just seems off to me, I can't put a finger on it. Maybe I just dont like the layout, I dunno.

Hack&Lube · 11-12-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonlywhiteout

opera just seems off to me, I can't put a finger on it. Maybe I just dont like the layout, I dunno.

The layout can be changed to look anyway you want it to. It has more customization and freedom that most other browsers. I have chrome installed as well but everytime I use it I feel sick and trapped by how limited it is.

Opera is very deep though. I've been using it for 6 years and there are still lots of things I don't know about it like all the keyboard shortcuts and how to use all the stuff that is available if you just press F4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

Didn't they also come up with tabbed browsing first?

Yeah I think they did. I wonder if you can patent things like tabbed browsing? Opera should be getting a ton of royalties for all the things they came out with years before all the other browsers caught on but they probably don't.

Mtt48 · 11-12-2010, 03:09 PM

I really like safari. I know I used to have issues with those moving gifs as the previous poster mentioned, but maybe a patch or something has fixed that, because I haven't noticed that problem for quite some time.

theonlywhiteout · 11-12-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

The layout can be changed to look anyway you want it to. It has more customization and freedom that most other browsers. I have chrome installed as well but everytime I use it I feel sick and trapped by how limited it is.

Can you change keyboard shortcuts? I want to make them just like Mozilla

FlameOn · 11-12-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I used to use Firefox but since I've discovered Opera, it's just too good. I mainly just care about how if I type in 'C' it would fill in calgary puck for me, and if it's not I just keep typing it out. Seemingly small detail but makes a huge difference vs firefox.

Opera has a lot of things built in, firefox has the same type of things but you have to use plugins. Fasterfox is one that is really popular you can use for this^