Computer newbies: Newbie's shouldn't jump to Firefox Browser
Newbie's shouldn't jump to Firefox Browser
by skyace - 2/18/05 7:59 AMI've been using the Firefox browser for over two months. I've been computing since the Vic20 and on the web using one of the first versions of Netscape. So many good things have been written about Firefox, I feel it's my duty to warn newbie's .. be careful about hurrying to use the Firefox browser.
I could detail the reasons for my recommendation, However here it is a brief explanation: I like many features as well as the philosophy behind the Firefox browser.. but some of the bugs, design quirks I have encountered would be difficult for new computer people to deal with. Some of the issues I faced since using it, caused me to come close to shelving it. If you know what Bugzilla is downloaded it. If you can't describe the word browser to your friends, stay away. I know we should all keep in mind Microsoft's domination of the industry... but I.Expl. works well! Remain aware about the other Browsers. Internet Explorer and Firefox are not alone. In fact Google, another dominant player, may well be offering a Firefox type browser in a few months. You will also become aware there are other Operating Systems as well. Windows is not the only game in town.
Therefore in time, those of you who end up fairly good at computers, have a duty to explore the meaning of all new offerings such as Firefox, Linux etc. Developers working day and night to compete, need our help! It's sort of our duty to try other op. systems and different software. Just make sure your ready. Thanks
I write "Bad advice".
by R. Proffitt
- 2/18/05 8:22 AM
In reply to: Newbie's shouldn't jump to Firefox Browser by skyace
A newbie would do well to use a non-Microsoft browser until they understand the new plague of SPYWARE and how to deal with it.
IE does work well to allow Spyware to wreck havoc on the new users.
Toss the newbie onto Firefox. They'll do fine.
Bob
I agree.
by Old Blue Yellowdog - 2/25/05 10:54 PM In reply to: I write "Bad advice". by R. Proffitt
I am still trying to get all the spyware off my newbie friend's computer. The first thing I did after installing and running Ad-aware (I will also install and run Spybot S&D) was to install Firefox as her default browser. Any minor challenges newbies may encounter learning to use Firefox will be nothing compared to the difficulties they will face trying to close endless popup windows that are the result of spyware attacks that IE let in.
Re: Advice for "newbies" about Firefox
by mudman5 - 10/14/05 2:49 PM In reply to: I agree. by Old Blue YellowdogWho is this "sky___" guy an industry wonk for Microsoft?
I have been using Firefox since it was a baby beta and I have never had any "issues" that would trouble a "newbie". (kind of a derogatory term, don't you think?).
IE vs. everything else
by OmegaGeek - 10/15/05 5:19 AM In reply to: Re: Advice for "newbies" about Firefox by mudman5Everyone not using IE (icky poo) needs to know how it wants to intrude at every opportunity before using Firefox, Opera, Mozilla et al. The whole Windows won't work without IE thing.
I'm pretty handy with PCs (helped setup Texaco's PC help desk in the early 80's) and moved directly to Mozilla then FireFox when I upgraded to XP, and worked backwards. If Yahoo's mail client functioned fully w/ Firefox, I'd have no need to every run IE.
As Firefox gets more and more popular, the cracker community will start writing malware for it. Based on past experience, it's reasonalbe to expect that Mozilla will be more forthright than MicroHard... opps, I mean MicroSoft with problems and patches.
Some Applications that work with IE won't work with Firefox
by LindaSegal - 10/15/05 9:58 AM In reply to: Re: Advice for "newbies" about Firefox by mudman5eBay selling tools don't work with Firefox.
thinking the same
by wheelnut53 - 10/14/08 8:40 AM In reply to: Re: Advice for "newbies" about Firefox by mudman5I've had all sorts of problems with windows and none with firefox . I was suspicious when I read dont mess with firefox till you get experiance . Thats a joke.
Posting To A Three Year Old Thread??
by Grif Thomas - 10/14/08 10:02 AM
In reply to: thinking the same by wheelnut53
Old News and such isn't really relevant at this time... and I'll lock this old thread to avoid confusion.
Hope this helps.
Grif
I dont agree
by cayble - 10/16/05 10:33 AM In reply to: I agree. by Old Blue YellowdogA pile of adware, and/or viruses a certainly the sign of a newbie at the keyboard for sure. But your advise on Firefox is quite misleading. The first thing any newb should be made aware of is the need for pop up blockers, adware/spyware blocking and removal and of course anti virus protection is a must. This is infact the case with every operating system and every browser. Linux and FIrefox are not exempt from this, although there are many who give out advise that implies as much, all OS's and browsers need protection, although those that are less popular or in more restricted use are not going to get targeted as often as XP or IE. Other OS's and some browsers are often designed in a way that makes conventional spyware and virus attacks in effective or less effective, but they still should have protection. The fact is, if IE has the proper security in place it is just as safe and for most people easier to use, as well as being a more effective browser for widespread surfing of the web.
I have tried every browser out there, always have tried them again when newer versions have come out for each one. Alot of them are pretty nice, and you will find plenty of people who will swear by each one of them. The fact is a properly secured IE has served me well for several years and I surf everywhere and anywhere on the net, I fileshare and often work on unecrypted wireless networks, and my system is clean and IE always works like a charm. Nuff said.
I could not agree more
by patio_nl - 2/26/05 2:53 AM In reply to: I write "Bad advice". by R. Proffitt
Sites that can only be accessed with M$IE are not worth to be called 'site' and certainly not be accessed by newbies.
If you're having troubles with Firefox it's crippled site design.
Because some of those my wife or me need we keep IE next to Firefox. On the latter no more spyware, pop ups and more horrible stuff that is supported by Micro$oft.
Its a SPAM or START AN ARGUMENT Post
by dougjp - 2/26/05 4:13 AM In reply to: I could not agree more by patio_nlI think by now its safe to say this poster just did so to hear himself, and we all got fooled into responding.
Complete lack of information when the topic obviously required it, failure to respond with details despite many posts requesting them.
Wow, now he's got me posting again too! Do I ever feel dumb!!! :-D
Lack of objectivity on both sides
by rmendoza13 - 10/14/05 8:30 AM In reply to: Its a SPAM or START AN ARGUMENT Post by dougjpI believe that the OP had a legitamate gripe and then he/she went on and did not explain it.
I use five computers on a daily basis: two desktops at home, one laptop that I bring with me back and forth from home to work, and two desktops at work (major university). I use Firefox in four of them; the fifth one belongs to my wife.
I have to say that MS bashers are just as irrational as MS supporters. In my experience, Firefox has its share of problems, which MS bashers refuse to acknowledge. For instance, when you open PDF files in Firefox, whether inside the browser window or in a new one, Firefox sometimes freezes and if you have more than one browser window open, it will make one or more disappear. However, even though the window might be gone, it still runs in the background, even after you shut down all other windows. I would say this could be, potentially, a major security threat.
Another example is the well-documented memory ''leak,'' whereby Firefox starts hogging huge amounts of memory, more often than not well into the 100 MB range.To this date, there is no real fix to this, just a workaround.
And last, there have been several security threats discovered, the latest whas the network.enableIDN ''issue,'' which to this date has no fix, only a workaround.
Now, I must admit that the Firefox people have been prompt and dilligent in addressing most of the known issues, more so than MS. And, in comparison to IE, Firefox has had only puny problems.
I also would like to clarify, in trying to anticipate the possible response from other forum members, I do use Firefox, by my own choice, in all five computers. I am not in any way, shape, of form associated with MS. I am not a computer geek (literature guy here hehehe), but I consider myself more competent than most average consumers and computer users (I have the patience to actually read through the bulletins and technical info about stuff like browsers).
And to address some of the comments by some posters, whoever says that IE is an open door for spyware and viruses, does not know how to configure it. Any browser, if configured ''correctly'', is a possible open door to threats, including Firefox. I think the difference is that Firefox makes it easier for the average consumer to find the more secure configuration. In many years of use (since 1997), I have never had an infection with IE; I believe this is because I took the time to actually configure it to avoid threats as much as I could. That, coupled with a good dose of caution when websurfing, will take care of most problems.
In conclusion, people need to step back a little and stop singing Firefox praises as a reflex. It is a better browser in may respects, but it also has ''issues''. So, try to be more objective in your comments - don't just jump in the bandwagon (like lemurs), try to make your own evaluation. Be a truly independent thinker.
IE vs Firefox
by blkhawk - 10/14/05 10:33 AM In reply to: Lack of objectivity on both sides by rmendoza13I would be interested in a more detailed instruction of how to set the IE browser to eliminate these insidious 'pop-ups' and the other nasty things about it. Just saying that we don't know how to set it leaves me with the impression that this person feels somewhat 'superior' In their knowledge and plans on keeping it that way
Careful, a cohesive comment could earn applause!
by GreasedSilver - 10/14/05 3:22 PM In reply to: Lack of objectivity on both sides by rmendoza13There are issues with every browser and, as "mendoza13" expressed his, we all have a browser of choice. I use IE, Firefox, and Avant. I guess I ride the big waves. To each his own and set them well. To the young man looking for the settings to stop the "Pop-Ups"...Download.com\ search for Webroot's Pop-Up Stopper and their Spyware Killer. You'll do fine.
firefox or not to firefox
by fancierquinn - 10/14/05 4:47 PM In reply to: Careful, a cohesive comment could earn applause! by GreasedSilverI'm not a newbie nor a geek. Just your average user. I have done all I know how to do, including reformat and still get "page cannot be found" from IE on a lot of sites including ones I have just visited. I don't have that problem with firefox. If someone can help with the IE problem in non tech terms I'd appreciate it. Uninstalling and re-installing IE didn't help either. Dell is stumped. I'm running Windows XP, 56k dial up. Until someone can figure out how to fix my IE, I'm most grateful for firefox.
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