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General discussion

Netscape vs. Firefox??

by ulara Sep 26, 2005 5:44AM PDT

Only 5% using Netscape?? I've been a faithful Netscape user since its beginning so don't have much experience with browsers, except the hated IE of course, which I only use when I am forced to.

Am I missing something great not using Firefox? Can anyone give me a quick comparison of Firefox and Netscape and a reason I might want to try it, since I'm very happy with Netscape. I just upgraded to 8 on my laptop and it took a bit of time setting it up....seems quite different from the 7.1 I have on my desktop.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Laura

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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My thoughts...
by John.Wilkinson Sep 26, 2005 6:33AM PDT

There are a lot of good comparisons, such as this one from PC Magazine, but reviews simply can't keep up with the new releases. (That article referrs to Netscape 8 being in BETA still, and compares it to Firefox 1.0.3...1.0.7 was released earlier this month.) However, I'd still suggest checking it out.

Firefox:
* Firefox is more secure because it does not run ActiveX controls, but that security measure also makes the browser incompatible with select sites. (eg Windows Update) Mozilla is currently working on a technology that is compatible with ActiveX but is more secure. Until then...
* Smaller download with less ''garbage'' bundled.
* Leaner interface and simpler to use.
* Huge selection of themes (skins) and extensions (addons) from third-parties, which makes Firefox much more powerful and customizable.
* Does not require an AOL/Netscape/Compuserv account.
* In my experience, loads sites slightly faster.

I've used Internet Explorer and Netscape (Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator, and finally Netscape) from the begining, so there's a lot of history there. However, nothing seems to beat Firefox...not even Netscape 8, Opera 8.5, or Internet Explorer 7.0 (currently in Beta 1). And the upcoming release of Firefox 1.5 (currently in Beta 1) will etend the lead, and its adoption, even further. Just go ahead and download Firefox and try it out for a few days...if you're not convinced it's the best browser available I'll give you double your money back. Wink

Hope this helps,
John

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Netscape vs. Firefox??
by ulara Sep 29, 2005 1:57PM PDT

Thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it!

Laura

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Re: Netscape 8.0
by Chizl Dec 22, 2005 12:00PM PST

Dont know if anyone has noticed, but Firefox is using the netscape engine or they are just put the Netscape name in their navigator. Just do a JavaScript {alert(navigator.appName);} It will say Netscape.

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Same development team...
by John.Wilkinson Dec 22, 2005 12:18PM PST

The reason for that is the Mozilla team that currently develops Firefox, and used to develop the Mozilla suite, started out with Netscape version 6 and 7. After they left the project they took the best aspects of the Netscape browser (including the open-source Gecko engine), and used it as the foundation for what is now Netscape's competition. Netscape, recently given new life and progressed to version 8.0, is now sporting both the Gecko (Mozilla) and Trident (Internet Explorer) engines, which is what enables the user to switch back and forth when a page doesn't load/display correctly.

John

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Tabbed browsing
by byker49 Sep 26, 2005 3:46PM PDT

Tabbed browsing and internet security. The tabbed browsing feature has explorer beat to death. It is always good to have a backup browser if the other one has a problem. I use both but most of my general web browsing goes to firefox.

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you can't include opera
by rwp_17 Sep 30, 2005 2:53AM PDT

because firefox is just a browser

opera is a browser/ email/ chat
internet suite

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I use Netscape 8.0
by lappyhappy Nov 23, 2005 4:17AM PST

I really like the new netscape. I have used Firefox and do like it except that there are many websites that will not work with it so I have always ended up going back to Internet Explorer. However, with Netscape 8 you have the best of both worlds. If a site does not work in Firefox mode then it will work in IE mode. Great!

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Netscape 8.0
by ulara Nov 23, 2005 3:21PM PST

Yes, I just started using 8.0 too and also like it a lot. It was a little hard to get used to the tabs but now I really like it. I love the many options to customize. The only negative is....what happened to the edit page ability. I use that all the time.

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101 reasons
by tomron Dec 22, 2005 12:41PM PST
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Maybe I'm restricted . . .
by phantazy Dec 25, 2005 11:44AM PST

I've been using FF for 2 years and apart from I think three Apache driven sites and Windows Update, I have had no difficulty viewing any sites. The irony is to use IE for updates just so that you can update a browser you don't use. How idiotic is that?

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