DailySkew

Chrome vs Firefox vs IE8

Internet Browser comparisons: Google Chrome vs Mozilla Firefox vs Internet Explorer 8

Google Chrome:

The Good

• Chrome is a FAST browser, and is not a resource hog. I can log into sites more fast than the others, as well.
  
• Chrome has a nice front page for easy access to my most-visited sites.
• Chrome is easy to install.
• Chrome has a very simple interface.
• Downloads stay at the bottom of the browser and be opened up from there.
  

The Bad

• Chrome still has too many bugs and is incompatible with many applications, such as MSN Hotmail (how about that?) Anyway, I get frequent Chrome crashes. I have issues playing video (depends on the site) as well.
• Chrome privacy: there is none with Big Brother Google.
• Chrome and Google's Blogger software are a bad combo. Linking photos is insane- that is IF you can upload them.
• Does Chrome have add-ons?
• Lack of any real options. Lame.
  

Conclusion:

Google Chrome did not live up to the hype. There is a growing "Chrome Sucks" campaign that lists all of the frustrating bugs with it. That being said, I use this as an internet browser because it is super fast to open and doesn't slow other applications down.

Mozilla Firefox 3

The Good

• Add-ons. Firefox add-ons. Can't say enough about them...To me, Firefox revolutionized what the average surfer can do; and if you have any scripting or programming experience, you can REALLY push the limits of the World Wide Web. Firefox is a fully customizable browser, powered by the people.
• Password management and bookmarking is great. Love the RSS feed bookmarking.
• StumbleUpon..'nuff said.
• The most safe and most private browser.
• Blogger.com lets me upload and link photos!
  

The Bad

• Speed tests show that it's slower than other browsers, and slows your system down.
• Some pages are still incompatible with it, and won't play videos sometimes (there are cases where I simply can't enable Microsoft Media Player).
  

Conclusion
I still think this is the best browser, although no software is perfect.

Microsoft Windows Explorer 8

The Good

• Microsoft copied a bunch of Firefox features.
• Compatible and mainstream, although IE 7 seemed better at playing streaming radio. In fact IE7 seemed to be more compatible with a lot of other things.
  
• I just use it to watch Netflix and MLB. My wife uses it 50% of the time and has no complaints (she uses it for Blogger.com, Yahoo mail, and videos).
  

The Bad

• No download manager.
• Technically uses more memory than Firefox although load times seem faster.
• Has issues with Javascript more so than other browsers.
• Attempts to take over your system, like an octopus.
• Constant Microsoft IE updates you are forced to download.
• Tabs love to say "Connecting...." while showing white screens.
• CSS scripting? You'd rather go to the dentist.
  

Conclusion
Typical Microsoft.

Other browsers such as Opera and Safari:

Wake me up when I can use Flash, Silverlight, etc. In other words, I can't watch MLB, Hulu, Netflix or other cool stuff on Wii or IPhone. How convenient.

BOTTOM LINE

I still believe "your mileage will vary". I require multiple logins to various sites, so I need multiple browsers. No browser is perfect, but Mozilla Firefox is the closest to perfection.

All opinions are 44% mine. (tm)

Labels: technology

posted by Damian Hospital @ Wednesday, November 18, 2009