Firefox - idiots Guide Needed

Ken68

Domokun wrote: »

Early in the morning, yes, but i still don't see what you're asking here >_<.

FF is like IE in all respects, except it's faster, smaller, more secure and easier on the eyes.

Yes, Dom, realise I need to make Firefox as default browser then would act like IE..er..will have to think on that, big step. Am an oldie so don't want things too fast .
More secure, if you say so. Easier on the eye it aint.
Every business will rubbish the opposition in order to gain customers.

Domokun

Firefox is an open-source program, and whilst I'm sure they make enough money from ads or donations to keep a few people in full-time work, they are non-profit organisation.

http://www.mozilla.org/about/

Ken68

Non profit to me, Dom, means non incentive, and if you said Firefox was cheaper, it's something I could check.
And why all the add-ons, why not embed the main ones as with IE.
And who are these guys making IE insecure, where do they come from ?

Ken68

I can't help feeling that Firefox are shooting themselves in the foot, by constant reference to add ons, bolt ons, better security, open source, no profit making.
When buying a product or taking on a product these are not good words.
Open source implies lots of uncordinated efforts of dubious background, add ons means not thought out,
and security talk means perhaps Firefox is hackable.

Domokun

I'm a fan, not an expert, but I'll try and answer your questions. I'll link you to here and here, though, as some bed-time reading.

Non profit doesn't mean no-motivation to progress. With modern software, don't assume you're getting the best just because you're paying for it, chances are you can get something that'll do the job for free; look at the number of free antivirus programs that're out there.

IE either doesn't support addons in the same way, or programmers are simply unwilling to work with IE. There is a reason that these programs have only been developed for Firefox.

As for IE, any insecurity there is Microsoft's problem. With Firefox, an entire development community work to plug security holes.

EDIT: reply to second post
No one has to buy Firefox, it is free. Also, no one has to continue to use FF after downloading it if they don't like it. Open source might imply uncoordinated effort, it might also mean cooperation of experts from diverse backgrounds. The way I see it: You wouldn't leave your windows open while you were on holiday unless you were sure you had an infallible burgular alarm.

I think you're confused about Addons, they're not made by mozilla for the most part. They are optional small programs developed by others to add to your browser.

For the note on hacking: no broswer is 100% secure. Not IE, not FF, not Opera, not Safari, not any.

Ken68

I like that bit, Dom, sandboxie enabled.
Will have a look at what Scott says about IE v FF

Edinburghlass_2

Ken, you don't need to have any add-ons at all, I have a couple originally had the UK dictionary but thats now part of Firefox and I have another called "clipboard" I think which I need for MSE phrases.

You can also change your mind about using it as your default browser and go back to using IE. I do think the "bookmarks" is a lot better than IE's "favourites" and I use the bookmark tool bar all the time with my most used websites handy to click on.

^^^^ non techie advise^^^

Ken68

This chap thinks well of them EM.
http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/64.htm
You egg spurts could well be right. :-))

So what do I do. Shortcut already on desktop, gotta alter all
my settings damn.

Edinburghlass_2

pssst Ken, that article is from January 2005 re Firefox 1, Firefox 3 has just been released

It was sra, MSE's resident techie expert, who started me off on FF a few years ago and if sra says its good, then its good!

Domokun

If you haven't installed that Firefox you mention on your desktop in the last month, Ken, I'd suggest uninstalling it from Start > Control panel > Add/remove programs > Mozilla Firefox, then installing the latest version from this link.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Installing+Firefox

Fair winds!