Which Browser Do I Use?

Date of Update: 06-12-2013

dunceIE

It seems as though there are as many web browsers as there are types of people. Each web browser has different options and uses. Some of the familiar web browsers are Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and the notorious Internet Explorer.

Opera

Some browsers, like Opera, were designed specifically for web designers and developers. This browser, and browsers like it, have specific web design tools installed directly into the browser. Browsers like Opera can be useful for the designer set of people, but can be overwhelming to the average user.

Firefox

Firefox is a very common browser that everyday users have used to replace Internet Explorer. The Firefox browser is customizable. There are many “plug-ins” that can be installed in Firefox for a variety of uses. Designers use a “plug-in” called Firebug. The Firebug extension is a way for designers and developers to view the source of a site or change features on the fly. Being able to change these features is helpful in a testing format. Be cautious using Firefox with multiple tabs open at the same time, however. In this circumstance, Firefox can use more of your computer’s memory and therefore cause a slow down in your system.

Chrome

To avoid a slow system, try using Chrome. Chrome has most of the benefits of Firefox without the excess memory consumption. However, many of the design tools of Firefox are unavailable in Chrome. I usually use both Firefox and Chrome depending on what my current needs are.

Internet Explorer

I see Internet Explorer (IE) as the class clown of the browser school. In all honesty, IE can function just like any other browser for the everyday user. However, because Microsoft works slowly to update to common web standards, IE usually will not display information the same way as more current browsers. Do not be fooled into thinking that because you have the latest version of IE that you will experience web sites in the same way as you would using Firefox or Chrome. This is not the case. Even current installations of IE fail to support programing languages like HTML 5. As a designer, I am against any version of IE. I simply will not use it. However, some people prefer IE simply because it is the browser they have always used.

The bottom line is that as a user, you should decide which browser works best for your needs. In order of my preferences I have rated the most familiar browsers below:

1. Chrome
2. Firefox
3. Opera
4. Safari
5. Internet Explorer