Free Browsers

There are some good browsers out there. I think I have tried most of them (and uninstalled a good 90%) of them. But no longer are we at the unilateral whim of Internet Explorer’s latest version. Here are the browsers I use.

Firefox. This is a Mozilla product. My favorite browser! They also have some outstanding add-ons that I love. Here’s a quick list of the best add-ons:

• Ad-Block: The best ad-blocker around. The only stipulation is that you must first view an ad and tell the blocker to block it (right-click and choose “ad block.”) There is also Ad-Block Plus pre-loaded filters with the most common ads automatically blocked; these filters need frequent updates. I use both add-ons, and therefore I see very few ads. The Element Hiding Helper is also handy for blocking pictures or text that you would rather not see.
• Groowe Search Toolbar: In my opinion, the best toolbar ever invented. Groowe has all sorts of various search engines in one convenient toolbar, and the toolbar is completely customizable. Groowe also searches TigerDirect, Dictionary.com, YouTube, Amazon, etc.
• Add Bookmark Here: This is an easier way to bookmark your favorite sites. I like it because I don’t have to go sifting through my bookmarked folders every time I want to bookmark something new. A real time-saver.
• Download Statusbar: This is a status-bar program. Your downloads are viewable in a small spot in your statusbar, rather than loaded into a separate window. It is fully customizable (colors, and all) and extremely convenient.
• There are close to a million more add-ons for Firefox– too many, really! Installing too many add-ons makes Firefox slower, so stick with the basics or things that you really need.

Opera. I use Opera when in a pinch or when I want something different. It has a techno feel to it. It is a bit bulky, has too many options to do one thing (in my opinion), but its fast. I love their “speed dial” which makes surfing to favorite websites a complete breeze.

The World. It is a strange name for a browser, but I do use it from time to time. It is an Internet Explorer “shell”; that is, The World is a coat covering an Internet Explorer body. I will use anything to avoid using IE, especially IE7. This works pretty well.

Browsers that got Thumbs Down: Internet Explorer (buggy, slow, bulky, and doesn’t block ads), Safari (too buggy), Netscape (awkward), and SlimBrowser (just another lame IE shell).