IE vs. Firefox: They're Both Gaining Ground!

I'm Running FireFox (and Thunderbird by the way) most of the time, exept when I navigate MSN spaces (ActiveX & other IE only features) or when I need to browse Windows Update. (which is not-so-often since I use automatic updates as everyone should)

FireFox Rox. More Secure, Ctrl+(click) are the main reasons I run this program. Oh yeah, and it's not made by M!cro$oft

Am stuck with windows because it came with pc but would rather shake hands with the devil than use either i.e or o.e

Firefox is the one for me,It rocks. It was the best change I ever made and I won't look back at IE. 2 many hole's and bugs in IE. I run xp pro sp1, wont update to sp2. To many problems.

I'm a Firefox user because its more secure than IE.Its the best browser i ever saw.Its simply better than IE.To everyone who uses Firefox,instal the plugin AdBlock.

Oh i've forgot--Ive instaled JavaCools SpywareBlaster its good for some tracking cookies in Firefox

Firefox... on ubuntu Linux :)

Within the last year, I made the transition from IE on XP, to FF on XP, to FF on ubuntu.

For a few years I had used IE with Proxomitron; that worked more or less ok, but IE became higher and higher maintinence; patch after patch, then Ad-aware, then Spybot-Search&Destroy, then Spyware Blaster, etc. Then, and I forget exactly how I found out about it, I downloaded Firefox 0.8 to try out and WOW, that was nice :-) Suddenly Ad-aware wasn't showing anything more serious than "tracking cookies" and then I found out about the Ad-block extension, so I was able to dispense with Proxomitron. For a little while, I needed IE for one of my banking websites, but that cleared up by the 1.0 release. After that it was FF all the way :)

I use Opera. Much faster then I.E. or FF. For sites that require it, i am forced to use I.E. But opera has built in search engines, speech recognition, tabbed browsing that works very well, better security, and integerated e-mail. What more can you ask for?

Possible Firefox user here, anyone have any problems using FF and IE on the same computer or is it just a case of install and go? Im thinking of 'switching over' and was just wondering. Cheers.

i m running firefox at home, except my wife always use IE. The reasons are 1) she is so familliar with IE 2) too lazy to learn all the nice features on firefox.

but she really get jealous when i easilly pull down my bookmark in firefox.

another thing- once firefox can penetrate big company. the percentage will definitely raised.

At the moment i work in a company which its default internet browser is IE. So no choice!!

Buztafen, no problems switching. FF can import IE favorites (bookmarks). You won't be disappointed!

You guys give Firefox too much credit. Personally I will never use Firefox until they fix up the memory not being released properly. I would surf around a couple of sites with no additional tabs open, and firefox memory usage would jump to even 70MBs! The so-called workaround doesn't work either. Oh, and did I mention it takes ages to start up?

My favorite is Avant browser. Tabs, compatibility with IE, and popup and ad blocker. Has everything I want.

And BTW, anyone who thinks firefox is more secure are just shooting themselves on their feet. Firefox has its own vulnerabilities, and from what I look, their timeframe to release the fix is even worse than IE.

I use Firefox and IE. I have remote e-mail access to my company and one of my clients, and they each use MS Outlook Web Access as the interface, which works much better under IE than Firefox. Frankly, I don't want two browsers on my system - I prefer simplicity to clutter, and I'm not particularly impassioned when it comes to software, so I plan to move to IE 7 when it goes final. It will have the two features that attract me most to Firefox, tabbed browsing and "print to fit."

What happend if somebody visits PCWORLD using Netscape.. (The new netscape which has both IE and Firefox engines built inside it). What does the PCWORLD weblog show it as?

May be thats the reason why you see increase in IE numbers. People using the IE engine inside the new Nestcape.

I loved Opera. It has a lot of features like tabbed browsing. Funny thing is that I am using IE while I am typing this one. ;)

FireFox because its faster and more secure and has a nicer interface (with downloadable themes).

Netscape 7.2...just as fast an secure as firefox, but cooler looking. I've been loyal to Netscape for 10 years.

I run firefox and my work because I am developing webpages and it is the most compliant with CSS which is how I design most of my sites. However at my house I run I.E. because my girlfreind fears change with anything dealing witha a computer and it was just easier to keep up on updates then to change my browser.

You can add tabbed browsing in IE if you download the MSN toolbar.. i am not a big fan of tabbed browsing.. but for those who switched to Firfox because of that should give it a shot..

Go Fire Fox...Go!!!
Common Sense here for a second.
IE is the worlds biggest browser.
Pop Ups are advertisements
Companies that want to advertise, want exposure
Ie is the worlds biggest browser
IE has the most pop ups
IE is like a fully loaded BMW with power windows and all
Firefox is like ferrari, no power windows, etc....

Firefox, to discourage this: http://validator.w3.org/check?verbose=1&uri=http%3A//blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/000829.html

I've been using Firefox since just after version 1 was released and I haven't looked back. It's much faster than IE, intergrated search and tabs ROCK and the extensions system is brilliant - I can block ads, have a weather forecast in the status bar and read RSS feeds without leaving my browser.

Yes, it has bugs just like all software has but they get found and fixed MUCH quicker than IE bugs and they have tended to be less serious so far. I'm looking forward to Firefox 1.5 which will include a much improved update system with automatic downloading of security patches so updates will be as easy (if not easier) to install as they are in IE.

If you get the right plugins, FireFox can be the only browser you'll ever need - I use Adblock to get rid of any ad image and iFrame, FlashGot to use my Free Download Manager, SwiftTabs to move between tabs in one keystroke, and fireFTP to manage my website without IE.
These plugins don't even slow down Firefox much, and don't leave your computer open to attack like others in IE will. The only thing about Firefox I don't like is the integrated Google search bar; my home page is Google and would rather type a longer search where it is most easily seen.
P.S. I use Firetune, also, to get the most out of my connection/pc configuration.

I use Firefox, but I think that all those summer statistics are not reliable, as Firefox users (early adopters) are much more likely to be on vacation.

I use Firefox, except for when it is absolutely necessary to use IE. I also use the IE View firefox extension, so firefox will automatically open pages
I specify in IE!

Firefox is simple and effective - when I fist started up dear old IE I went crazy - then I found FF - it made my day-naturally I use both - but only when required Lets just see what IE7 is about - because I use Beta Spyware along w/Sunbelt

I use Maxthon, which is technically IE (Maxthon being an IE shell/snap-in and all), but IE is just a piece of crap on its own.

Its biggest benefit over Firefox is that I only have to use one browser. On sites that require activeX, i just have to make a quick mouse click to disable the blocker. The only time I got any spyware is once when I forgot to turn the blocker back on :/ oops.

It's too bad they can't track things like Maxthon. I'd like to see the numbers.

Opera since 4.0....what's this IE thing of which you speak?

A voice crying in the wilderness. Netscape 8. Fantastic. Both engines. Passcards. Invidual site security configuration ON THE FLY!!

What's not to like?

I actually use Avant Browser. Just imagine a secure IE...n *PooF* you've got Avant! better pop-up blocker RSS feeds tabbed browsing The ability to allow or block pictures, flash animations.. I love this thing! skins n resonable timeframe of updates... (sigh) If only ALL software was that dependable...

i use IE because it is reliable if you keep windows up to date. windows releases many updates for XP and IE never had any viruses or spyware i run Norton Internet Security Anti-spyware edition tried ff before wasnt impressed i dont get why everyone puts down Ie theres a reason its the number 1 IE in the world.... it works!!!!

I use FireFox. If your website doesn't work with FireFox than I don't need to be there.....

At home I use firefox. There are too many reasons why but anyone saying that IE is faster are just scared to admit M$ isnt the best thing since sliced bread. And if your FF opens slower then you must have a problem with your PC. FF is MUCH more fast then IE. And to the person asking how to get it, just download and go. NEVER look back

Oh yea and the ONLY reason it is number one in the world is b/c it COMES with every PC running windows! Most people dont even know what FF is. If FF came with every PC and IE had to be downloaded I guarantee it would have less users then FF does right now.

Bily - the reason IE is #1 is because they ran a superior product darn near into the ground by giving away IE. Netscape used to cost $20.

Lemmings will always chose free/adequate over $/superior.

I use Firefox about 98% of the time. With Adblock and NoScript it's great at screening out intrusive ads, and I love the tabs. I only use IE for MS Update and a handfull of other sites that don't work in Firefox. One minor beef with Firefox is that when adding bookmarks it doesn't remember the last folder you added bookmarks to, you always have to navigate from scratch. I do a little web building, and always make sure my sites work in both Firefox and IE.

I use Mozilla most of the time and IE when I have to.

I myself use Crazy Browser (a tab browser that is faster at opening than firefox and works just like I.E.) most of the time. I.E. seems to be improving and when I.E. 7 comes around with tab-browsing I don't think that I will need F.F. and besides SP2 comes with a pop-up blocker.

Personnaly, I use Firefox since it was called Phoenix, back in 2002 !

IE is far too old and too full of problems, and it is a browser which had not really evolved since its version 4.0, adding some little things, but nothing really revolutionnary.

The other point is that Firefox is not tied to windows, so I can use it on every OS I cross : Windows, Linux, FreeBSD or MacOS-X.

hey all. Go firefox!, keep rockin in the free world, unlike MS (look to ms's help of censoring China's blogs) I've gotten my hands on a copy of IE 7 Beta, and I know its beta, and granit its better then IE 6, but they still havent caught up w/ da 'fox. GO FIREFOX

many property settings for my asp.net controls are dropped in firefox..(backcolor properties via CSS for example) i know theres a way via machine/web.config to render compliant markup but i'm still under the 'why bother' mindset. (at least until the browser grabs more of the share) plus, i'm not so sure about the speed difference loadup you guys are talking about.

Firefox! even for a teen like me, I know Firefox's the way to go.. ><

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned one of FF's most invaluable additions: Greasemonkey! Get it here: http://greasemonkey.mozdev.org/

Does anyone really use IE? Is anyone out there... anyone at all?

Firefox is excellent, it has features like tabbed browsing, better security, and compliance to web standards (which make all of the different websites viewable in one browser). In addition, Firefox has skins, amazing customization, and is easy to use.

btw, the new "Netscape 8" inherits all of the IE security vulnerabilities since it has two rendering engines and "Crazy Browser" is just an IE shell.

Firefox is indeed the way to go, I am very impressed with all its features and noticed some faster performance on the web. I wouldn't call it a TRUE replacement of IE since some sites require you to use only IE...which is completely pathetic.

Get Firefox but don't toss away IE...just yet. Besides I
am pretty sure you cant toss it.

Firefox is my browser of choice. Nothing's better at this point. On the odd occasion in the past, I will have right-clicked and used the "View this page in IE" option, but that's hardly to never now.

Firefox, except when i use Msn Messenger to open up things cos im lazy. And the skin i have goes nicely with iTunes.

Safari is what i use. Fast. Nice. built in RSS and a streamlined PDF reader (which no one else has) used Firefox 1.1 on my old PC (may it rot in it's XP world) and it was nice, but for an average user like me Safari is my choice.

P.S. it comes with Mac OS X!

P.S. who gives a shit about Macs other than morons!

IE is a webmaster's worse nightmare

I'm use FireFox and Thunderbird most of the time. I only use IE when a site forces me to as MS update sites do.

I run both Firefox and IE, but the *only* time I use IE is when trying to navigate Microsoft.com - it is not worth the headache of things not working right (validation for downloads, etc.) to use Firefox.
Other than that, I exclusively use Firefox.

Hrm.. actually, I can't play Cribbage on MSN's Gaming Zone in Firefox, though it's been a long time since I've tried, or since I've played. That may have changed, as I've updated Firefox a few times since then.

i've been using firefox for about 6 months now... wow.. what a difference between IE .... not to mention IE froze my computer up continually but no more pop-ups... why didn't i learn about firefox earlier (guess i should have bought PC World!!!) i use netscape as a back-up...i'll never go back to IE... too many fixes and patches. much more pleasant with firefox!!!

I've been using Firfox for two years now, and use IE for IE only web sites. I hat micro$oft, it's products, the features of their products. I am really worry about microsoft controls everything in computer, I agree someone says, Bill Gate will be the anti-Christ. I just do my best not to use Micro$oft products and encourage all my clients not to use them.

Once IE fully incorporates tabbed browsing, I'll be back to IE 100%. FireFox, while a good product, isn't that much better (if at all). Both have security issues--whether one is more secure than the other makes very little difference. FireFox takes forever to load, updates clumsily, and still plain doesn't work with several of the Web sites I use daily. It was great while it lasted, and it served a good purpose by prodding Microsoft to do better. But FireFox's days are numbered. Bill Gates is the anti-Christ? Give me a break. It's a PC for crying out loud.

"I am really worry about microsoft controls everything in computer, I agree someone says, Bill Gate will be the anti-Christ."

thats the best piece of engrish i have seen in a while. you must hang out with illmitch!
+10

I agree with Kurt

IE is like a fully loaded BMW with power windows and all
Firefox is like ferrari, no power windows, etc....

I would personally prefer Ferrari. For me, engine power is more important than windows.

Now many of you Opera users have the browser reporting itself as IE? I had that setup when some web pages wouldn't accept Opera but would accept IE, even though by just reporting itself as IE it then worked. So how does the tracking engine know the difference? I have Safari, Opera and Firefox all running on my iMac G5 and I use Opera most of the time.

i've switched from maxthon (same ie piece of sh*t) to firefox, firefox rocks!! totally kick a*s!!!

i'm not looking back to ie, even if it's now tabbed!!!

i have recently switched to firefox and it has made my life sooo easy as a developer. apart from tabbed browsing there are no development tools either in I.E

Well, now that Opera is Free, as in Free Beer, you dont need any other browser than Opera. Besides, why would you need to use an O. Source browser? I would prefer to promote Opera tha Firefox. Smaller, Faster, Standards compliant, multiplatform (even for PDAs, PALM & Symbian). Useful even for blind people, do many useful things with just an standard installarion.

FIRE FOX SUCKS AVANT RULES THE ROOST

As a developer, I hate firefox. Untill the newest version of Firefox with DHTML catches on, I have to pray most of my clients use IE.

Love Crazybrowser. Great program. Why doesn't anyone else use it? Better than FF :D

IE is better than Firefox in my opinion. And Mo Zilla, WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST MICROSOFT???

Oh, and whoever thinks that Firefox is better than IE, DON'T go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mr._Random !

purses utkiletyatnajuh-01-01-22

Netscape 8 baby. Not mentioned thus far is that when you highlight text in Netscape it offers definitions, synonyms, google searches, copy option, etc. without right-clicking. Very handy. That said, I don't like the potential vulnerability of Netscape when using IE's rendering engine. New version (with Gecko) fixes that.

Also, random bypasser above me, Microsoft is a soulless, monopolistic corporation with shoddy products. End of story.

I do not understand why so many organizations & businesses (even co.'s like McAfee which should be trying to enhance security rather than undermine it) insist that you use IE. Purely on economic principles they should be offering users the choice of the main browsers.