Computer help needed as usual...Explorer 10 vs Firefox

starkiller

Looks like i need to upgrade from Explorer 9 so was looking at Chrome, Explorer 10 or 11 and Firefox. I need simple, simple rules all for folks like me. I have only used Explorer so am use to how it looks and works etc...Would Chrome or Firefox be easy to learn for an old **** like me? My computer guy here says to switch to Firefox but that we would talk more next week about it. Am curious as to why he would recommend Firefox over Explorer and Chrome...thoughts?

starkiller

How easy to learn?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Chrome is very simple and should be easy to learn. It's a free download so check it out and see how you like it, no harm in testing them all out.

zane77

I use all three and it seems to me that some sites work better with a different browser. So I use a different one for different sites, but Chrome seems like it works very well overall.

zane77

I use all three and it seems to me that some sites work better with a different browser. So I use a different one for different sites, but Chrome seems like it works very well overall.

starkiller

Hmm, as mentioned my computer guy likes Firefox over Chrome..so, i don't quite understand the idea behind using different browsers for different sites. As mentioned i am not computer savvy so prefer easy operation and install and uninstall Right now its Explorer 9 64-bit in my system....

Mikey081057

Anything but Explorer... Way to vulnerable, and way to slow.

Conradicles

Chrome rules

recoveryone

What it should come down to is what do you feel comfortable with. There is nothing worse than leaning a new browser and all you what is to check the daily news or your online e-mail. As far as speed, that is primaryl computer dependant (CPU, Memory internet speed) Chrome stores most frequent visited pages to make it lool ike its working faster. You can set IE to do the same, but having that in place makes your system more expose to cyber tracking as chrome/google is widely known for. If speed is a concern just allow all your passwords info be kept in the cache. if being secure is important make sure each time you close the browser no cookies or passwords are saved and the cache is cleared.

11tsteve

I have been a hardcore Firefox supporter for years.... the only time IE gets opened on my rig is to download Firefox when I do a fresh OS install. And, for whatever Windows requires IE for....

Sadly, at least for myself and some others I have been in communication with of late, the last couple of updates for Firefox (and even Thunderbird) have been a tad buggy... I'd be curious to know if others here have had any issues?

It forced me to look at Chrome... and I have been using it for a couple of weeks now. Light, fast rendering, and easy (intuitive) layout for the most part. The transition from Firefox was simple and mostly seamless.

starkiller

11steve

any idea on transition from IE to Chrome on how easy? Please keep in mind i am not the sharpest crayon in the box

11tsteve

it is simple to transition bookmarks. beyond that, set up is easy and layout is simple to learn. as stated before, the download is free, and install is painless. get it on the computer, give it a whirl, and come back with more specific questions if you have issues. people are here to help.

mantis

Other then Safari which I use 99% of the time, Chrome is pretty nice followed by Firefox.
I try to never use Explorer ever, I have had way to many issues with it to ever go back.

TurboGTU

Why not just put all 3 on and try them all and see which you like best, if your going to upgrade IE go as high as you can. 10 and 11 are both much more standards compliant and are doing quite well in the speed department. I mostly use firefox, but I've been using Chrome more and more because firefox just seems to get slower and more crash prone with every release.

In the end, it's a personal decision, they are all constantly upgraded for security issues and all are quite standards compliant. Like I said, they are all pretty small downloads, just put all 3 on and try them out for a couple days each. You can always uninstall them if you don't like them, or just leave them and not use them. I don't think the learning curve should be to bad on any of them, my mom got her first computer 2 years ago, and finally got internet about a year ago and she has managed firefox. Chrome is no harder to use than FF either.

I wouldn't touch safari with a 10 foot pole, but I believe mantis is on a Mac, so it probably actually runs decent. I've had major gripes with the windows version.

starkiller

Some great posts here folks! One of the things i have to face is that i do not learn new stuff very well and not sure how easy it will be for me to change from explorer to firefox or chrome. One of the things i tend to do is leave around 9 sites open all the time and then put the computer to sleep, i don't like to totally turn it off as i hate to open everything up again. So i guess if i switch to either firefox or chrome i just click on one of those rather then the 64bit IE to open everything up then..correct?

cnh

For "security" reasons it is usually a very GOOD idea to QUIT out of any browser and clear cache, cookies, history, etc. Get rid of "everything" daily if you're using a PC based system.

Chrome is pretty easy to use. Most of its Menus can be accessed from the striped icon box in the upper right corner. There are tabs there that also allow you to import all your Favorites into Chrome!

It's fast, it's lean, it's mean. And the interface is very much like Explorer or similar enough that it will NOT confuse you!

The problem. When and if you start running Windows 8, of course ALL of those active tiles probably run off Explorer by default. So you will probably be running "both" if you use those tiles?

cnh

starkiller

I have Home Premium 7 and don't plan to change anytime soon

Phasewolf

If you have a computer there really is no security just because you clear the cache and cookies does not mean they are not still there to think otherwise is just not a good idea.

I use Firefox and have no real issues with the new builds though I would avoid the nightly builds. I use ad blocker plus and that helps quite a bit and if your looking to learn more try out no script. Not sure if chrome has something like ad blocker plus or not as I have not tried it sense it was in testing.

starkiller

One last question and i am sure its pretty dumb but, will my Avast work on either Chrome or Firefox? Am leaning toward Chrome but...

jephdood

The only thing I don't like about Chrome is the lame smooth scrolling. But, installing Chromium remedied that. It's my go-to browser unless some site is wonky with it.

ViperZ

Just switched from FF to Chrome a few weeks ago. Much more streamlined and overall faster browser (just like original FF used to be). IE, even the newest one, still feels like some weird contraption.

Your antivirus should have no problems with any browser.

billbillw

Starkiller, just install both Chrome and FireFox. Try them both, use whichever you like. I like Chrome because it syncs my favorites/history between my work PC, my home PCs/laptops, and my phone. There might be a way to do that with other browsers, but with Chrome, its pretty much automatic, once you 'log in' with a google account.

BTW, Avast security is independent of your internet browser. No matter which browser you use, Avast will do its job.

EndersShadow

Yup, I just moved from Firefox (used it for the last 10 years) to Chrome because of the syncing between my phone, laptop and desktop with regards to my bookmarks and whatnot. I dont miss Firefox as Chrome does everything it used to do and has little to no problems.

I am also a Avast guy as I am running it on just about 10 computers at this point. I keep trying to get my dad to give up on Norton and just move to Avast as I think its a better product with less problems IMHO.

zingo

Chrome is easy to use and integrate to your computer, especially if you use Gmail. While updating your computer, dump Avast and install Windows Security Essentials for hassle free security.

westmassguy

I use all three. Firefox has been buggy lately, Chrome is OK, but I use Internet Explorer most. Version 11 is out now, and has been very stable and fast. If you're used to IE, then upgrade to Version 11, but try Firefox as well. I don't especially like the look or feel of Chrome.

starkiller

Well, after trying out Chrome and Firefox I upgraded to IE 11. Just couldn't get use to how Chrome and Firefox were laid out I'm not very good at learning new things I have found and both of those were too hard for me to learn..sigh....so far IE11 has been fine and faster then 9 was. I like how everything stays the same in looks and such, another thing I have found out, I am not big on change and find it hard to learn

billbillw

I don't get what is hard to get used to in Chrome. You have buttons for forward, back, a refresh button, just like every browser. You have tabs like IE, you can add favorites bar just like IE. Overall, Chrome and IE are more similar than different. The only thing missing in Chrome (by default) is the Home button, but a quick change in settings adds that as well.

billbillw

zingo wrote: »

Chrome is easy to use and integrate to your computer, especially if you use Gmail. While updating your computer, dump Avast and install Windows Security Essentials for hassle free security.

Whoa Nelly...Have you read at the various AV comparison websites lately? Windows Security Essentials is pretty much the worst out there now as far as protection goes. It gets a failing score in most respects. Avast is one of the best. I also recommend the free version of Bit Defender. It works well and is very protective.

You can see here, under Windows 7, Security Essentials is THE WORST with respect to protection:
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/julaug-2013/

maggiefan

The home button should be just to the right of the refresh button in Chrome.

westmassguy

starkiller wrote: »

Well, after trying out Chrome and Firefox I upgraded to IE 11. Just couldn't get use to how Chrome and Firefox were laid out I'm not very good at learning new things I have found and both of those were too hard for me to learn..sigh....so far IE11 has been fine and faster then 9 was. I like how everything stays the same in looks and such, another thing I have found out, I am not big on change and find it hard to learn

Great. It's familiar, and not the security nightmare it used to be. Go forth and browse!
I agree, Security Essentials was good when it came out a few years ago, but is way down the rankings now.