Question Of The Week
Internet Explorer Vs Firefox
Which is better?
An Eternal Question...
Lots of experts' reviews are already available in the web. We still have scope to answer this question from the users' point of view. Both programs have their own advantages and disadvantages. I use Firefox to make downloads and Internet Explorer for browsing the web !!
Why Firefox?
1. Firefox can be used like a mass downloader program because all downloads are shown in a single window. Moreover, the number of active downloads and the remaining time are diplayed in the status bar of the main window. In Internet Explorer, progress of each download is shown in a seperate window.
2. In Firefox, there is a PAUSE/RESUME button which is quite handy. You can PAUSE/RESUME the downloads whenever you want but not in Internet Explorer.
3. Another positive thing about Firefox is... it recognises the free bandwidth when some of the downloads are finished and immediately improves the speed of remaining downloads. Apparently, Internet Explorer takes its own time for this.
4. And that is not all. At the end of each download, Firefox scans it for viruses before presenting the downloaded file to us.
Why Internet Explorer?
1. The width of the webpages usually fit with the width of Internet Explorer window probably because most websites are built to work best with Internet Explorer. In Firefox, the width of the webpages usually don't fit with the width of main window which needs constant horizontal scrolling.
2. If you want to enlarge the text/image size in Internet Explorer, there is a percentage button in the right lower corner which needs just a click. It takes many a clicks to enlarge the text size in Firefox.
3. Digital e-newspapers can be read only in Internet Explorer because in Firefox you can't highlight/click a particular news section even though you can view the layout.
Debatable Issues:
1. It is claimed that Firefox gives lesser number of pop-ups while browsing (did somebody count?). I won't take this point seriously because efficiency of the pop-up blocker varies with different sites. Moreover, you can set the pop-up blocker to the Highest level (the default is medium only) in Internet Explorer (Tools -> Options -> Privacy). Of course, this will prevent Download Pop-ups too, but then I have already told you to make downloads through Firefox. You also have the choice to exempt your favourite sites from the pop-up blocker.
2. People frequently opine that Internet Explorer is not as secure as Firefox. It may be so probably because hackers usually target the most used browser. You can set the security settings of Internet Zone to the Highest level (the default is medium only) in Internet Explorer (Tools -> Options -> Security -> Internet). But then, Active Scripting (Javascript) will be disabled. You will need to enable Javascript to view some sites.
3. For that matter, Firefox has simple and user-friendly OPTIONS. But that shouldn't count if you are willing to learn.
4. Since Firefox is an open source program, umpteen number of Add-ONs (Plug-INs) are available. The safety and utility of them are not certain.