Internet Explorer

Is Internet Explorer Up To Speed?

June 18, 2011 By admin 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: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Tab (GUI)

Advantages of Internet Explorer 9

May 22, 2011 By admin 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: Internet Explorer, Tab (GUI), Web browser

The New Features of Internet Explorer 9

March 13, 2011 By admin 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: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft

How to Choose the Browser that is Right for You

February 26, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

We are seeing information about the release of several new and updated versions of internet browsers. Internet Explorer is coming out with IE9, there is a new Google Chrome, and Firefox is working on Firefox 4. So if they all do basically the same thing; opening websites, allow you to check email, access to social networking, and all other basic internet functions, does it really matter which one you use?

The answer to that really depends on who you are and what type of internet user you are. If you think about how much time you spend on the internet it could really make a difference. For example, if you spend at least 4 hours a day browsing on the internet, if you choose a browser that is faster, you could save almost 30 minutes a day with a quicker browser.

It is important to keep in mind what you will be using the browser for before you make a choice. There are some applications that work better on some than others. For example, if you use Gmail or other Google based applications, your experience will probably be better if you use Chrome. If you like to personalize your browser, Firefox has many add ons that will let you do this.

Security is also a big issue. Each browser has a different way of providing security measures. There are some with filters for malware and phishing sites built right in. It is always a good idea to check out how the security features work before making a choice. If you do a lot of online transactions this is extremely important, so you should make sure you are protected.

It may take some trial and error before you find the browser that works best for you. The good news is that they are all free so you can try them out without much of a risk.

Filed Under: Google Chrome, WWW Tagged With: Browser, FireFox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer

The Advantages and Disadvantages of IE9

February 17, 2011 By admin 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: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft

Do People Know They Have A Choice In Browsers?

January 4, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There is a huge war being fought by companies that develop internet browsers, but is it really worth it? As Google, Microsoft, and Modzilla continue to develop new and better versions of their web browsers, are they gaining new users with each new release?

Many users don’t even know what a browser is, let alone that they have a choice of what they can use, or that it could have an updated version. They turn on their computer everyday and click on the icon that brings them to the internet. Done. That is all they do to get to the internet. Many people have been clicking on that same icon for years without realizing that the technology behind it has changed significantly.

So, the challenge for companies like Google and Microsoft is to educate the public about their browsers and what is going on behind it. Each company has their own way of trying to get their users to update, but stopping support of older versions seems to be the most effective.

Firefox recently had their users complete a survey if they refused the offer to update their browser to find out why people didn’t want a new version. The majority of the people answered that they were just happy with what they had. For others, the response was just that they didn’t have time to update. This is good news though because the previous concern was the cost, and since the browser is free, the public needed to be educated.

Not only does updating your browser make your internet experience better, but it also keeps you safe. As the war continues between the browsers, so does the fight to get users to update to newer versions.

Filed Under: Web browser, WWW Tagged With: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, Web browser

Don’t Track Me

December 9, 2010 By admin 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: Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox

The Benefits and Advantages of Internet Explorer

December 3, 2010 By admin 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: Internet Explorer, Web browser

Finding the Right Web Browser

December 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox are the three primary choices that you have to search and experience the internet with. When selecting them, you need to consider the best one for you and your needs. One caution when choosing to download a browser, you may see that one is offering the latest version for you to get. If the browser has the word “beta” after it, be wary. It can be cool to have the latest thing out, but know that the beta means that the browser is still partially in development. This means that you may have no problems, or you could experience issues during use. If you are unwilling to deal with these problems, then you should stick with the prior version until the new one is ready to go.

You will find Explorer as the standard installed on your computer, as almost all have Microsoft Windows on them. If this is the case, you have a basic, ready browser that is good for general web searches and functions. But you will not have the greater security that comes from Firefox, which you have to download from the internet. Firefox is generally faster, safer and more popular with many interent surfers. You can also add your own personal theme to it as well, plus a number of various add ons.

If you are a more advanced user, you may want to consider Google Chrome, which has instant access to a number of useful functions. These include Google books, blogger, scholar search and many more. You can also install a Google search tab on your menu bar, making for more efficient surfing. Chrome has good security and speed, making it viable option. The important thing is to consider what functions you use the most and what would benefit you while surfing and working.

Filed Under: Web browser Tagged With: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Web browser