which browser do you prefer?

[weverjames]

I was reading in this forum there is a better browser than firefox. Is this true?
Amaroke or something similar....Some people criticize firefox for being bulky and slow and said it is not current?
Are there better options?
what about gaim vs amsn?

[Kilz]

I like Swiftweasel (http://swiftweasel.sourceforge.net/), its an optimized build of Firefox. Very quick and can use all firefox themes an extensions.

[weverjames]

can you use flash with it?

[AegisTalons]

can you use flash with it?
Like Kilz said earlier, Swiftweasel is an aptimized build of Firefox. What that means, there are multiple different builds of Swiftweasel for almost any combination of processor and Linux system. For example, there are four different Swiftweasel build for Core 2 Duo depending on whether you are running 32 bit or 64 bit Linux and whether you want Swiftweasel to be 32 bit and 64 bit.

Since it is Firefox based it can use flash. If you get the 64 bit Swiftweasel make sure you are running 64 bit Linux, of course. Also, if you do want flash on 64 bit Firefox/Swiftweasel make sure to look at this thread: Re: Flash 9 install script for AMD64 (nspluginwrapper) (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=476924)

The script you download is made by Kilz and works very well. Mad props to Kilz for making that script.

As for the people that complain that Firefox is running slow, you may want to ask how many extensions are they running and on what kind of system.

Personnaly, I'm running 64bit Firefox with a decent amount of extensions and it runs fine for me. I have installed 32bit Swiftweasel on my girlfriend's computer and she likes it. I have noticed a couple of hiccups occasionally, but I cannot figure out the source of the proplem.

In summary, try out swiftweasel (http://swiftweasel.sourceforge.net/)(free) and you be the judge whether its faster than firefox.

As a side note, there is another "optimized" build of firefox out there called swiftfox. The reason I said "optimized" is because the developer claims he optimized it for different processors but he refuses to release the source code of his work out to anyone to see or make it better.

If you want to increase your speed in firefox, try about:config and changing some of the http:pipelining lines. That is a decent boast.

[happysmileman]

I prefer Opera, will switch once I'm bothered importing my setting (some will have to be done by hand)..

Opera is faster, more stablle (firefox crashes a lot on my PC, though apparently not on other people's so probably an extension or something) and safer (though considering how heavily NAT'd I am that doesn't matter :P)

[Mr_bleu]

I like swiftweasel also. I'm not "safe" so java is working lol. Once they build a 64 bit webplugin for java I'll be "safer". Flash is working using kilz' script.

[olmari]

I love Opera most. It's simple to use, but same time it is so versatile to suit advanced user needs. It is lightweight, handles standards good, also it is fast generally everywhere (rendering, javascript, ...), it's holes are patched ASAP, has pretty good mail client embedded in it.

[kuja]

Amaroke or something similar Amarok is the best audio player I've ever used.
Some people criticize firefox for being bulky and slow and said it is not current? I don't know about not-current, but it is kind of bulky, and if nothing else it loads kind of slow. I find that at least certain functions in Opera are significantly faster (for example, forward + back) Among other things speed dial (a relatively new feature) and the "wand" feature are very handy... and the mouse guestures too
Are there better options? All depends on what you like. Don't be afraid to try different things.
what about gaim vs amsn? I didn't like the amsn interface ..... felt umm, Windows 95ish. Yeah, that's how I'll put it. gaim does work pretty well though. Kopete is another good option and I'm looking forward to seeing how it is in KDE4.