Which browser do you use?

[timeFlies]

Which internet browser do you generally use, and why? I use Internet Explorer myself, even though it has an undeserved reputation for being "slow". That may've been the case before, but is most certainly not with the newest versions.

Other than IE, I have Google Chrome installed on my computer for the rare time a page won't load properly in Internet Explorer, and to use a Chrome extension to download Android application *.apk files directly from the Google Play Store so that I can use another Chrome extension to sideload them onto my BlackBerry 10 phone (its Android runtime will run 95% of all Android applications).

I've never used FireFox or Opera, and have no reason to. I'm used to IE so have no reason to switch.

[budRich]

Started with Netscape back in the day. Then IE, then FF, then Chrome. Now I'm back with Firefox, I use it because it's easy to customize. FF also have the best add-ons. Mozilla ftw

[joedf]

...original Firefox user here. I dont dislike any browser.
Well actually Netscape was my favorite browser..

[nnnik]

The browser I started with was FF. I liked it because of the reasons budRich mentioned.
Then I got my new PC that is really slow I switched to chrome.

[joedf]

Me too sorta...

[tidbit]

started with IE
then netscape
then a few oddball things like Lunascape
then Opera 9
Opera for a long while
then Maxthon 2
Maxthon 3
Opera 12 because M3 started to act up on me.
Maxthon 4

Now I finally use Maxthon 4 (and 5 if/when its out) as my main browser
IE as my backup
Opera 15 as my backup backup.

I tried most major versions of firefox (up until the lame versioning system). always hated it. Nothing good about it.
Don't really like chrome.

it has an undeserved reputation for being "slow". That may've been the case before, but is most certainly not with the newest versions.

IE FTW. It has never been slow for me. I've always tested a cold bootup and went to a site I've never been to before, IE always beats FF, opera and maxthon. it loads everything fast. From what I've gathered, most IE bashers still think IE is at like 6 or 7. so they compare last last generation to current generation. That's like comparing PS1 visuals to PS4.

[Avi]

<---- A Happy Google User

[Eedis]

I use Chrome because it is fast and very sleek. There isn't much to it and it isn't too big of a headache to work with. FireFox is my goto browser when doing stuff when I need plugins such as web development and things of that nature.

[tank]

chrome has way more pugins and development tools....its more stable and on top of all of thatthe window itself is minimal

[nnnik]

I use FF because of the Anti GEMA plugin to view Youtube Videos that are locked in germany.

[jNizM]

Code: Select all

Browser: Firefox
Addons:  Adblock Plus, Auto Reload, HTTPS Everywhere, Bluhell Firewall, Self-Destructing Cookies

Browser: Chrome
Addons:  Adblock Plus, Disconnect, DoNotTrackMe, Keep My Opt-Outs

Extra-Tools: SandBoxie
Hosts-File:  http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/zero/hosts

[Elesar]

Personal Use: Chrome (Adblock Plus, LastPass, Stylish)
At Work: Chrome where possible (same pluggins), IE where required (Lots of medical sites require ActiveX plugins)

My Issues with IE: Mostly not directly IE related, but rather the sites that were built for IE8 and older that refuse to perform on even newer versions of IE. We have one we have to use that requires IE8. Compatibility mode in IE9+ does not work for these sites, and we have to roll back our Win7 installs to IE8 for these people to do their jobs :/

I have reached out to the companies that have sites like this, and their official reply is "use an older OS and browser, IE6 or 7 recommended, IE8 if that is not possible."

[tank]

Elasar, Unfortunately it is true. there are so many sites out there that write poorly designed sites. and they have development processes that are so expensive that they cant aford to make even the most minisule of changes. The arguement to provide is that if confidential information is exposed because of unpatched unsupported browsers the cost will be well into the millions in fines suites and loss of reputation.

[kon]

I use Firefox because it is open source and it has some privacy-minded extensions that I appreciate.

I use the No-Script extension perpetually. It allows me to choose which scripts my browser allows, which effectively acts as a more powerful ad-block and privacy extension at the same time. Basically I block all scripts by default and I use the option "temporarily allow top-level sites by default". It has a ton of settings that you can set depending on your preferences.

I also always use Duck Duck Go for searches and I have their extension for searching because Google is complicit with spy agencies.

And I use Media Hint because Canadian Netflix sucks compared to the US version.

I saw a post on r/privacy today regarding Firefox extensions which I think is relevant: http://i.imgur.com/op4kXmr.png

[Morpheus]

Thanks kon, I updated my extensions with the information from your post.

[Alibaba]

I use firefox...
Maybe there are faster browsers.
But i don't care.

Firefox fulfills my demands...

[ErrorOnLine2]

I've been using Opera on Win XP for a few years now. I can't do without Opera's high contrast (W/B) under page>style. If someone could tell me where to find that option in IE8, I'd consider switching.

(right clicking desktop>properties>appearance>color schemes>high contrast black isn't what I want and it's not an option)

On a side note, I've heard that FF has become the new IE6. Can anyone verify?

[tidbit]

Maxthon has a similar feature, "night mode" with custom colors. though, Some elements, such as forms, do not obey the rules
preview: https://db.tt/M2rwkQd3

[joedf]

@tidbit

[ErrorOnLine2]

Hi tidbit,

Thanks for the screencap. I'll be checking out Maxthon over the coming weekend.