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What is the best free browser?
I use IE, I think it's okay there are just one or two quibbles I have with it, like you can't right click in a picture and do "open in new window", and if you type a website address in wrong it brings up msn search which never finds anything and then you have to type the whole address out again.
I'm not worried about security because I've never had an issue with it.
Can I then remove IE, to free up HD space?

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Firefox by far.

No security issues, almost infinitely customizable, tabbed browsing and it's a bandwagon worth getting on.

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Originally posted by Varg

Can I then remove IE, to free up HD space?
Not really because it is completely integrated into Windows. This was Microsoft's defence in their lawsuits over IE, but you can make your new one the default.

It IS technically possible but not worth the aggro.

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Hmm, well it doesn't matter too much for my work computer but I was trying not to clog my home one up too much with extra software.
Will stick to IE for that I think.
Firefox seems OK. Not a million miles different from IE, though.

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Originally posted by Varg
Firefox seems OK. Not a million miles different from IE, though.
Well, its still a browser. How can it be a million miles different?

While tabbed browsing is great, its only when you scratch beneath the surface that you see the real benefits of Firefox, with its customisability through extensions and greasemonkey scripts (neither of which need any technical know how).

As an introduction into extensions, check out: https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=190

If you don't like ads, check out Adblock Plus. I hate those flash ads which when you mouse over them, they take over your screen or make a noise. Install Flashblock to get rid of those.

Basically, any minor annoyance you might experience while browsing, you can remove with Firefox and extensions. Imdb doesn't focus onto the search box, so a quick install of Focus IMDB search greasemonkey script, and now it does.

D

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Originally posted by Ragnorak
Well, its still a browser. How can it be a million miles different?
Thanks for the info.
But Firefox is pretty close to IE, certainly closer to than the old Netscape I used to use which was very different (and had tabbed browsing as well).

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Originally posted by Varg
Thanks for the info.
But Firefox is pretty close to IE, certainly closer to than the old Netscape I used to use which was very different (and had tabbed browsing as well).
In first appearance, sure, but not at all in rendering process and customisation. the functionality of Firefox leaves IE in the dust.

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Dude, IE doesn't take up much space to speak of, so installing a browser like FireFox wouldn't 'clutter' up any PC.
Some sites (very few) are still only compatible with IE - bad design - so keep it installed, but FireFox is just miles better than IE.

I only use FireFox (and Thunderbird for email) and will never go back.

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Firefox. No question about it.

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Originally posted by rbmorris
Firefox. No question about it.
Done.
Thanks to all who have replied.

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Originally posted by Varg
Done.
Thanks to all who have replied.
Yep, I agree that Firefox rox. Internet Explaorer sucks. With Firefox, it has a lot of funky themes you can download.

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Originally posted by Crowley
(and Thunderbird for email) .
if only it worked with http mail servers...

🙁

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Originally posted by rhb
if only it worked with http mail servers...

🙁
Like what?

D

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Originally posted by Ragnorak
Like what?

D
Hotmail is the biggy, I currently use Outlook to check 3 accounts simultaneously, one of which is my hotmail. Thunderbird would allow me to check pop accounts but not the hotmail one.

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Originally posted by rhb
Hotmail is the biggy, I currently use Outlook to check 3 accounts simultaneously, one of which is my hotmail. Thunderbird would allow me to check pop accounts but not the hotmail one.
Not even Outlook allows you to download folders from Hotmail anymore I'm afraid. If you have existing account set up within OE already it still works fine, but it won't let you download new e-mail account folders to OE anymore without paying £14.99 a year.

For thunderbird, you have to enter the POP server as mail.hotmail.com I think, but it just returns an error message, the same as it does for OE.

Poo to Bill Gates I say.