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QUESTION
Regarding Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape, which of these
browsers is better, which one should I use, and why?
ANSWER
A web browser is the program you use to access
the World Wide Web on the Internet. From your question, you are
obviously aware that there are at least two browsers, but did you know
you actually have a lot more choices? The two you mention are
certainly the most popular but you may want to investigate some of the
other offerings. But before I list them, let's focus on which one of
the two mentioned you should use, and why.
Basically, browsers are like any other
application such as a word processor or checkbook program. How did you
select the ones you currently use? You probably looked at the list of
features the program had to offer, possibly even tried a trial version
and then selected the one you liked. You may even have decided to use
more than one of the same type since each product offered different
features you liked. Take the word processor as an example. As a
writer, I find I do most of my typing on Microsoft Word, but sometimes
all of its sophistication and auto-formatting gets in the way when I
want to type off a simple letter. So I keep another word processor for
those occasions. In other words, having more than one application to
perform the same basic task isn't out of line, especially when those
applications are free.
There is a constant battle raging between the
two major browsers and the winner from this conflict is you the user.
I know that brand loyalty may keep you from trying other programs but
in this case you should really consider the benefits of switching back
and forth. For example, I used Internet Explorer (IE) for a period of
time until my online bank announced that its ability to display an
actual image of any cancelled check was only available to me if I was
using Netscape. At first, I was annoyed at being forced to switch
browsers but after downloading the latest version of Netscape, I
discovered their latest browser had added a new feature called Tabbed
Windows. Normally if you want to preserve what is being currently
displayed in the main browser window, you have to open a new one.
Tabbed windows lets you maintain several web site locations, each with
its own path of visited addresses but all within one main window.
Clicking on that location's tab lets you bring that web page along
with all of its forward and backward links to the forefront of the
single window. You can even define a group of tabs so that one click
opens several tabbed displays at once. This saves an enormous amount
of desktop space by eliminating the clutter of simultaneously opened
browser windows. Between my online bank and this feature alone, it
made sense to switch to Netscape. When IE comes back with more
features and improvements, I'll probably switch back.
Given all that, my answer to your question is
that you should have BOTH browsers if for no other reason than to be
the most compatible with the entire Internet. There will be sites that
are better viewed by one brand of browser or another. I know that's
not the way the Internet was intended to be, that web sites should
work the same with any browser on any platform but so far, that's just
not the case. So be prepared and have both. Make the one with the
features you like best for the moment as your default browser. When a
newer version is released, try it and see if anything new fits your
fancy. If so, switch. If not, keep that updated version and use it
when your primary browser doesn't like a particular web site for some
reason. You may have better luck with the alternative brand. In any
event, it will be you that continues to benefit from all these new
abilities, features and compatibility.
As for other alternative browsers, you may want
to try the Windows or Macintosh version of Opera at
www.opera.com. The free version of Opera displays
some additional ads. Mac users may want to try Apple's free Safari
browser at
www.apple.com.
Mozilla is available for Windows and Mac at
www.mozilla.org.
Another free Apple-only browser is called iCab and is available at
www.icab.de. |
