Internet Browsers... What's the Diff?

One of the most basic functions a modern computer can now offer a user is to browse the internet.  Internet browsers allow the user to look up websites, access their emails, download information and programs, listen to music, and a plethora of other options.  That being said, there are different internet browsers out there and although they each do the same basic things, there are some small but useful differences between each one.

First and foremost, Internet Explorer (IE) is the internet broswer that comes pre-installed on every computer that runs Windows.  Internet Explorer  can be accessed either through your start menu in the bottom left-hand corner of your desktop, or directly through the shortcut located both on your desktop and on the task bar at the bottom of your screen.  That’s the biggest advantage to having Internet Explorer.  It is also easy to locate your options for changing and managing the browser (i.e. File, Edit, View etc), and tabbed browsing for viewing multiple pages.

Your second option for an internet broswer is Mozilla Firefox . Firefox does not come pre-installed on any computer system, but is easy to download and install, and is totally free.  The benefits of using Firefox include its easy to locate browser options and tabbed browsing like Internet Explorer, its simplified bookmarking system, its Pop-Up Ad Blocker - a built in defense system that automatically shuts down unwanted pop-ups and ads, its Auto-Fill function - automatically recognizes information that has previously been entered and allows you to chose that information without having to type it all out again (i.e. email addresses, mailing addresses, names, etc.) - and finally, it has been designed to be more resistant to viruses.

To download Firefox, visit http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ and click Firefox Free Download.  That should begin the installation of Firefox automatically, and the setup instructions are easy to follow and will walk you through the process.  

Google Chrome  is the newest internet browser to join the ranks, and so far seems to be the most advanced. Chrome must be downloaded, like Firefox, and is also free.  Being the newest browser, Chrome has all of the features of Internet Explorer and Firefox, such tabbed browsing, simplified bookmarking, and Auto-Fill, but also has some new and incredibly useful advantages.

Chrome’s simplified design gets rid of the “junk” that some people find at the top of their browser and makes it easy to identify the address bar.  The address bar also becomes your search bar because it is run by Google and will automatically take you to the search results for your question, as opposed to having to first go to google.ca and then type in your question.  Chrome’s tabbed browsing is the most advanced when it comes to browser crashes.  If one tab’s website causes a crash, this will crash ONLY that tab, and the others will be unaffected, allowing you to simply open a new tab and try again, without losing the information of all of your other tabs (also available in the NEWEST version of Internet Explorer). Chrome also has an Incognito feature which will tell the browser not to log ANY information, giving you increased privacy, and allowing you to log into multiple email accounts from the same email server (e.g. user@gmail.com and otheruser@gmail.com could both be open in Chrome). Chrome also has a Task Manager built into the browser that, like Windows Task Manager, allows you to see what processes are active inside Chrome, how much memory they are using, CPU etc.  You are also able to drag and drop tabs in and out of a Chrome window, and all downloads show up at the bottom of the browser in a convenient bar where you can access each download instead of searching your computer for the file or program that you need.

To download Chrome, visit http://www.google.com/chrome, and click Download Google Chrome. This will take you to the Terms of Services contract which you must agree to before you can download Chrome.  It will also ask you if you wish to set Chrome as your default browser, which will make that the browser your computer automatically opens up when you click links and need to access the internet, and if you wish to send feedback automatically about crash reports and usage to help Google make the browser better.  These options are totally up to personal preference.  If you wish to do these, simply check the boxes next to each option. If not, make sure the boxes remain un-checked.  If you wish to proceed with downloading Chrome, simply click Accept and Install.  This will begin the download, and like Firefox, will walk to you through the simple steps.

For the Mac users that follow the blog, Safari performs all of the basic functions of a web browser, just like Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.  You are able to use tabbed browsing, and they have an easy to use bookmarking system.  

Some of the features unique to this Apple product include the Reading List, which allows you to save an article that you find interesting to your list so that you can revisit the article when you have more time to do an in-depth reading. Safari also provides a Privacy Pane, which allows you to see what information websites are storing and lets you remove it. You can also customize your cookie settings and choose whether or not your want to allow websites to track your location information. Sandboxing is a feature designed to keep your computer and information safe by quarantining it and automatically blocking attempts to seize your computer.  Finally, Private Auto-Fill works much like the Auto-Fill used by Firefox and Chrome, however it always asks permission to save that information before doing so, which can be handy when using a computer that has multiple users and you don’t want others knowing your information.

Each internet browser comes with advantages and disadvantages, and which one you will ultimately like is really a matter of personal preference.  Get to know what features of a browser you will prefer and make an educated decision about what browser you want to use.  Remember, there is no browser God that limits you to only using one browser.  Download them, take them for a test drive, and if you don’t like what you’re using, un-install!