You are here: Home / Archives for Explorer

Is Internet Explorer Up To Speed?

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Although Internet Explorer is an extremely popular choice for browsing online, many people do not realize the disadvantages it carries as well.  Its speed, tabbed browsing options, and spyware can be undesirable traits for many users.

 

Although Internet Explorer may be decently quick, its rivals such as Firefox and Google Chrome are much faster.  Downloading items at only half the speed, Explorer has fallen behind when it comes to the race.  Most people are surprised to find that there is a noticeable difference between these browsers.

 

Tabbed browsing is available with Internet Explorer; however, more options are available on other browsers.  There are actually limitations on what users can do with their tabbed items.  A small handful of choices are sufficient, but if more options are desired, the other browsers may be the way to go.  Also, some people argue that since Explorers tabs are already on the screen, this cuts in on screen space altogether.  Pictures and available information may be left off the screen unless users move the cursors at the bottom of the page.

 

The search bar in the top, right-hand corner of the screen is usually not used in Explorer.  Again, some declare this another waste of screen space.  Most users go through Google for all of their searching, so the small Live Search bar is rendered useless.

 

Spyware runs rampant on Internet Explorer.  Cookies for following user’s activities are often left behind, and personal information can be gathered.  Arguably, Explorer is susceptible to more viruses and spyware due to its age as well as unused pop-up blockers.  The ability to turn them off makes computers vulnerable.

Filed Under: Disadvantages, Explorer, Google Chrome Tagged With: , ,

Advantages of Internet Explorer 9

May 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Internet Explorer has been losing potential users for a number of years now. In an effort to keep their users they have offered a new Internet Explorer version 9. It is believed that this version will include everything that users want and need in a web browser.

 

Here’s a look at some of the great features Internet Explore 9 offers web browser users.

 

Cleaner Appearance

 

Internet Explorer 9 gives internet users a cleaner web browsing experience. Tabs, buttons and other items are all moved into one row instead of cluttered all over the screen.

 

The Ability to Pin Tabs

 

Internet Explorer 9 has a tab pinning option. This means if you have a tab that you visit a lot or need to keep referencing you can pin it so it doesn’t move down the list. Also included in the tab pinning option is the ability to pull up a row of all tabs so you can see each window and tab in real time and flip back and forth to it.

 

Fasted Web Browser

 

Internet Explorer 9 is the fastest web browser on the market. It loads JavaScript quickly and it pulls up windows faster than any other browser. Internet users always complained about the time it took to load Internet Explorer and that is gone with this version.

 

Isolated Tabs

 

Internet users can choose to run certain tabs as an isolated function. This will prevent browser crashes and other problems that can come from running too many tabs at one time.

 

With all these advantages Internet Explorer might have just jumped to the head of the game in terms of popular web browsers.

Filed Under: Advantages, Explorer, Web browser Tagged With: , ,

Disadvantages of Downloading Firefox 4

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When a web browser like Firefox update itself it can be expected that there will be tons of complaints. Internet users are creatures of habit and do not adapt well to change. So when Firefox 4 was rolled out a month and half ago, experts braced for a slew of complaints from longtime Firefox users. The good news is there were relatively few complaints.

 

Here’s a look at some of the disadvantages or complaints Firefox 4 users had after downloading the latest version of this web browser.

 

Not Compatible With Some Add-Ons 

an incon to indicate that there is a widget. s... 

Image via Wikipedia

 

The latest Firefox version is not compatible with some add-ons. While this wouldn’t be a problem for those that don’t use the add-ons it can be problematic for those that regularly use some of these popular add-ons. Add-ons that are not compatible with Firefox 4 include Delicious Bookmarks, RealPlayer Browser Record and NoScript.

 

This add-on issue is probably a temporary problem as most add-ons will update to so it is compatible with Firefox 4.

 

Address Bar Copying

 

Firefox has offered computer users the chance to copy web addresses by pressing the F6 button. However, Firefox 4 does not have this option. Instead, Firefox users are forced to use the mouse and copy and paste the web address they wish to use.

 

After eight months in the beta stage it is no surprise that there are relatively few complaints and problems with the Firefox 4 web browser and that there are more advantages than disadvantages for the web browser. The majority of the problems are superficial or ones that will be easily fixed in a matter of months.

Filed Under: Explorer, Web browser Tagged With: , ,

Why Online Colleges Have Grown in Popularity

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

More and more people are choosing to receive their education through online schools instead of attending brick-and-mortar colleges. In the past few years, the number of online college students has almost doubled what it was in the past. This has led many people to wonder why online educational programs like those found on earnmydegree.com have become so popular over the years. Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons why people are making the decision to obtain their education online.

Flexible Course Schedule

Online colleges offer students the ability to customize their course schedules to fit their needs. This allows them to keep their jobs or gain an education while their children are asleep. The flexible nature of online colleges is one of the most commonly cited reasons why people are choosing to attend classes there.

No Commute

Depending on where students live, the nearest college could be hours away. Many students are choosing online colleges because they can avoid the long commute to school. Instead of having to spend hours in a car, online students can attend classes anywhere there is access to a computer.

Choice of Classes/Pace of Classes

Online colleges offer students a vast range of classes to choose from and also offer them to the chance to pace themselves. This allows students to learn what they want and at a comfortable pace for them.

Huge Savings

The cost of brick-and-mortar college tuition is on the rise. Many students choose online colleges because the tuition is cheaper than what brick-and-mortar colleges are offering. Students get the same education at a cheaper price.

Filed Under: Explorer Tagged With: , ,

The New Features of Internet Explorer 9

March 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Internet Explorer is doing all it can to keep up with the other browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox who are quickly gaining market share. As one of the original browsers, Internet Explorer has been around for a long time, but the newer ones seem to be coming out with bigger and better products.

The release of Internet Explorer 9 is the latest and greatest though. There are some new features that are bringing it a step closer to its competition. These include a new interface, better performance, and it is integrated with Windows 7.

To start, the new interface has a very streamlined look. There is no longer all the toolbars that take up half the page. All the navigation buttons that will be used the most are all on one line. You can choose the size of the address box if you don’t want it to go all the way across the page.

The performance of Internet Explorer is also greatly improved. It even has games you can play to test the performance. Just click on the Test Drive page and it will bring you to mini games and some videos.

Microsoft has made it easier to jump to certain pages of websites that you navigate to often with this new realease. For example you can drag the URL for Facebook or Pandora to your taskbar. This will keep a shortcut there with a list that will allow you to jump to certain pages within the website. When you open it up, it will open in a new window.

There is also a new window you can use to keep track of your downloads. Firefox users who like this feature will appreciate this tweak. Another new feature is the ability to click and drag a tab into a new window. It will allow yo to do this without restarting anything you may be in the middle of such as a video.

Filed Under: Explorer, Web browser Tagged With: , ,

How to Make Your Computer Battery Last Longer

March 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you check out the prices for replacing your computer battery, you might be tempted to just get another computer instead. The prices seem astronomical for what you are getting. The good news is that with a bit of proactive battery management, you can extend the life of your battery so you can go a long time without needing to replace it.

Laptop batteries require a bit of care if you want them to last. But it’s not hard. Most of your proactive steps are practical. When your laptop is plugged into a wall and your battery is fully charged, take the battery out. This will prevent it from overcharging and from overheating. If you are on battery power without any electric input, let the battery completely run down, even if you move back to an area with electricity. This reduces the amount of recharges for your battery.

Another method you might want to consider when using laptop batteries is to switch your computer from standby mode to the hibernate mode. This is a minor inconvenience when you come back to use your laptop since it will take a few more seconds to show the screen, but it benefits you in the long run when you don’t have to constantly run out spending hard-earned money and time to replace a battery that died before its time.

Keeping your computer cool is another trick for extending your battery life. When the battery gets hot, it has to work harder. Keep the computer cool with fans and by placing it on tables and desks rather than couches and beds.

Filed Under: Explorer, General Tagged With: , ,

The Advantages and Disadvantages of IE9

February 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Microsoft recently released their latest version of Internet Explorer. IE9 has some good new qualities along with some shortcomings. There have been some reports on what is good about this new version and some articles about where it is lacking, but here is a quick look at both the advantages and the disadvantages all in one place.

Advantages

One of the biggest advantages to the new version of Internet Explorer is it is easy to use. The redesigned interface is much more user friendly. Users now see more content as opposed to status bars and the toolbars that are normally taking up the page.  They have also increased the speed in the most recent release, which was necessary to keep up with Google Chrome and with Firefox. You will also see a warning if you install an add on that will slow down your browser. This is a good feature which may change some minds about what they are adding. Another advantage to the new Internet Explorer is the ability to add websites that you go to frequently right to the task bar for easy access. One of the bigger advantages to IE9 is that it will support HTML5.  This is important because HTML5 the the future of interactive viewing. It will allow vidoes to be played without having to use plug-ins.

Disadvantages

There seem to be more advantages than disadvantages with the new Internet Explorer. The new look may take some getting used to and users will have to relearn how to navigate around. Other browsers also play HD videos with a better quality.

The overall impression of IE9 is that it is much better than previous versions and has come a long way. It has some tough competition though, so we will have to wait and see how it really compares.

Filed Under: Explorer, Web browser Tagged With: , , ,

A Programmers Dilemma: To Offer a Software Download for Free or for a Cost?

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
WorldWideWeb
Image via Wikipedia

If you are a software programmer, you will face the dilemma whether you should offer a software download at zero cost, or whether you should charge money even though you are not a big name in the world of software yet. Many software programmers choose the former approach and offer a software download at zero cost, hoping that their efforts will encourage individuals and users to offer gratuitous payment.

However, this approach is not going to work if you rely on your programming skills for your daily meal. On the other hand, charging money from customers can work counter-productively in the long run because people would prefer purchasing software from a more reputable organization. You can make use of the following tips and techniques to improve visibility of your software without offering free software download.

For starters, try to make a few free mini-applications such as web browser add-ons for every premium program you put up for sale.

Second, implement search engine optimization strategies and tactics on your website to ensure that the right set of customers are targeted.

Third, focus on after-sales and service. Many programmers are very good when it comes to writing code properly. However, they can be bad at people skills and do not provide good quality after-sales support to customers.

Remember, each and every customer you have is an asset that can give you returns for the rest of your life. If you offer software that is licensed on an annual basis, make sure that the quality of service is high enough to bring them back year after year

Finally, you should keep an eye out for competition. You should always be on the look out to overcome competition with minimum effort and expenses. If you ignore this aspect, chances are high that customers may get pulled to some other service provider instead.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Advantages, Explorer, FireFox Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Don’t Track Me

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

For those of us who are loyal for Mozilla’s Firefox web browser it is sometimes painful to learn of the decisions the company has been making of late. For instance when they recommended the add-on Weatherbug, a known malicious distributor of malware and spyware it seemed contradictory.

Firefox, after all, is the open source answer to big money’s Internet Explorer, right? We have slowly been taught that Microsoft is the ‘Man’ and he’s keeping us down. Well, apparently things are not always as they seem.

Take for instance Mozilla’s recent actions regarding a Do Not Track tool they were developing. This tool would effectively limit ad companies and other evil web prowlers from loading up our computers with cookies. They want these cookies on our PCs and Macs because they want to know where we have been on the internet and what we have been looking at.

Mozilla removed their Do Not Track tool from the browser being beta tested, presumably because the ad companies were worried something like that would hurt their profits. It turns out the traditional method of advertising on the web isn’t nearly as profitable as the subversive and invasive kind of advertising.

Microsoft, on the other hand, has recently announced they will be enhancing IE9 with a Do Not Track tool, for the explicit purpose of protecting web users. This sort of pro-populous decision counters what we’ve been taught to think about big business versus open source.

It turns out Microsoft actually has a division devoted to privacy strategy and it’s chief of that division believes there is a healthy balance to be maintained between consumer empowerment and privacy and the needs of the internet as a business. He said in a statement that tools like Do Not Track are important because they maintain the level of functionality internet users are used to and demand.

Filed Under: Explorer, FireFox, Web browser Tagged With: , ,

The Benefits and Advantages of Internet Explorer

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Internet Explorer is the standard browser that most people are familiar with, and has been around for a long time. Run by Microsoft, they have recently released Explorer Beta 9, which is still in its running stage and may have some bugs left to be worked out. They are promising a streamlined appearance, more efficient access to tools in the menu bar and easier access to your favorites. Users need to weigh their advantages when choosing to go ahead and download 9, especially as to whether or not they are willing to deal with multiple errors that could occur with its use now.

Those who do not want to contend with bugs can stick with Explorer 8, which is supposed to provide you with an easier time surfing the net. Explorer does perform well overall, but there are some concerns with several users as to its security features. At times, Explorer does not always filter out sites that could pose a threat if opened. It is also problematic for freezing up and having issues opening somne websites. You often have to restart it and find your way back to where you were. This is where Firefox has the advantage of being able to reopen where you left off.

There are various acceletors that give you quick entrance to maps, blogging, checking your email and doing web searches. For those who visit certain sites on a regular basis, you can subscribe to various types of content that is delivered to you instantly. These can include the latest sports news and scores, headlines, weather conditions and shopping opportunities. This can be a great time saver for those on a tight schedule. Microsoft also provides tutorial videos for those who need some extra help in using the browser. Explorer is an all around good browser, depending on your use of the internet.

Filed Under: Advantages, Explorer, Web browser Tagged With: ,