Alternatives to Firefox
Discussion
I am running Firefox 2.0.0.3, and have been using various versions of Firefox for quite some time. Much better than Internet Explorer.
However, it does get rather memory hungry after a while, which causes my poor notebook to get rather warm which then leads to the hoover-like fan coming on. The only way to stop this is to close Firefox completely in the task manager, then allow time for the computer to cool down before re-opening Firefox.
It only does this when its been open a few hours or more.
Whilst I wouldn't notice this on a desktop machine, it becomes rather annoying on my notebook. What is the best alternative browser - similar to Firefox - that I can use which isn't so memory hungry?
However, it does get rather memory hungry after a while, which causes my poor notebook to get rather warm which then leads to the hoover-like fan coming on. The only way to stop this is to close Firefox completely in the task manager, then allow time for the computer to cool down before re-opening Firefox.
It only does this when its been open a few hours or more.
Whilst I wouldn't notice this on a desktop machine, it becomes rather annoying on my notebook. What is the best alternative browser - similar to Firefox - that I can use which isn't so memory hungry?
Opera
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
omohat said:
Opera
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
Blimmin heck. I've just downloaded Opera 9.2 and it absolutely flies compared to Firefox. Someone seems to have strapped a supercharger to it. Fantastic stuff!
Thanks.
omohat said:
Opera
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
I used to use Firefox until I got tired of the memory leaks. I've been using Opera for a couple of months now and its fantastic. All the extras that you have to add to a vanilla Firefox install (such as mouse gestures) are pretty much built in. Not as many add-ons for Opera as for Firefox (but since so much comes built in no real need either). The 2 types of add-ons are widgets (http://widgets.opera.com/) or Java Scripts (http://userjs.org/). Widgets look prettier (and can be memory intensive if badly coded) but I find the scripts are more useful.
its amazing Opera. fast and i love the speed dial option you get with th latest update..
OPERA RULES!
I use Avant browser, which is essentially an addon to IE, so you get the benefits of a standard engine with the some of the flexibility but not the hunger of Firefox.
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
lurker said:
I use Avant browser, which is essentially an addon to IE, so you get the benefits of a standard engine with the some of the flexibility but not the hunger of Firefox.
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
Except you're still vulnerable to all the usual IE security holes.
touching cloth said:
Is Opera advertising free yet - last time I tried it I had bloomin great banner ads in the toolbar. If it is I might give it another whirl.
Yes I suppose I should just download it and see for myself but I am lazy
Its free as of version 9
NickFRP said:
its amazing Opera. fast and i love the speed dial option you get with th latest update..
OPERA RULES!
OPERA RULES!
That speed dial is great. So simple and so useful. I just wish instead of a 3x3 grid, you could choose the size of the grid. On a larger screen 4x3 or 4x4 should be possible.
omohat said:
lurker said:
I use Avant browser, which is essentially an addon to IE, so you get the benefits of a standard engine with the some of the flexibility but not the hunger of Firefox.
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
I'd use FF though except for the performance issues.
Avant is a good compromise between the two.
www.avantbrowser.com/
Except you're still vulnerable to all the usual IE security holes.
Which the OP didn't specify as a concern.
Besides, given the choice between sensible use of a flexible, quick IE based browser and a memory and CPU hog like FF (which I used to love for its extensions), the decision for me has been quite easy.
I've used Opera in the past too, and quite liked it, but I had a few too many problems with incompatible websites. No doubt things have improved since then, but Avant suits my purposes for the moment.
Edited by lurker on Thursday 26th April 14:44
Incidentally, side by side comparison here of main engines.
www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9005614
http://tinyurl.com/2g7tac
www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9005614
http://tinyurl.com/2g7tac
lurker said:
omohat said:
Except you're still vulnerable to all the usual IE security holes.
Which the OP didn't specify as a concern.
Besides, given the choice between sensible use of a flexible, quick IE based browser and a memory and CPU hog like FF (which I used to love for its extensions), the decision for me has been quite easy.
I've used Opera in the past too, and quite liked it, but I had a few too many problems with incompatible websites. No doubt things have improved since then, but Avant suits my purposes for the moment.
Surely security is one of the main reasons to switch away from IE in the first place though.
For what its worth, I know where you're coming from with regards to Firefox. I moved from IE to firefox and loved the features and extensions but hated the memory usage (CPU usage wasn't too bad), the occasionally dodgy page rendering and the fact that after every upgrade half the extensions would stop working. Maxthon was my next browser (another IE wrapper like avant) and while I managed to convince myself I could avoid the IE security holes, eventually the odds caught up with me. I've been using Opera 9 since it was released and wild horses coulnd't drag me back to Firefox or IE. I still keep Maxthon around as a back up but generally any problems with websites tend to be down to my configuration of Opera rather than Opera itself (I keep it locked pretty tight with regards to cookies/scripts etc).
BTW - you're giving lurkers a bad name - 243 posts in 9 months - thats postively participating
Try 175 posts in 2 years. Now thats high class lurking.
omohat said:
Surely security is one of the main reasons to switch away from IE in the first place though.
Possibly, but I haven't (touch wood) had any problems - install the updates and fixes, and have antivirus etc. running, be sensible where you go, and you should be ok.
As FF becomes more popular it will have the same problems.
Anyway, I've downloaded Opera to give it another blast.
omohat said:
BTW - you're giving lurkers a bad name - 243 posts in 9 months - thats postively participating
Try 175 posts in 2 years. Now thats high class lurking.
Try 175 posts in 2 years. Now thats high class lurking.
I'm only counting my worthwhile ones. Still on single digits.
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