Why do you choose your browser over others?

[Hex_Mandos]

I always like looking at different software, and browsers are one of my favorite programs to explore. I personally like Firefox, having tried other good alternatives like Opera, Konqueror, Seamonkey and Flock. But I always keep wondering why others use the browsers they use, especially in the Linux world where pretty much everybody knows that there are alternatives to the default options. Why do you choose your browser over others? (Please, don't use this thread to bash other browsers. I might like Firefox, but I'm not going to bash its competition, there are several worthy products out there)

Myself: I use Firefox mainly because of its extensibility. I like being able to customize its functionality to my needs. I also like its handling of RSS feeds, and I find its default handling of tabs much more comfortable than Seamonkey or Flock's (browsers that have some degree of compatibility with FF, all stemming from the common Mozilla source). Finally, it's (mostly) Free as in Freedom, and I value that (although I occasionally use proprietary software).

[Tomosaur]

I use Firefox mostly, just because I'm used to it. I do really like Opera, but it's interface doesn't seem as clean to me as Firefox. I've tried Flock before, but I wasn't too impressed with it. I can see why lots of people like it, since it promotes community and such, but it's just not something which interests me.

[bionnaki]

I use firefox.
although I do really love konqueror - there are just a few things that it cannot do that firefox can.

[ComplexNumber]

i use FF because .....well, i only have to go through the following thought processes:
a) IE is out of the question for many reasons and because of lack of trust in it
b) the other main one is opera, and although i have heard good things about it, the way i see it is: if its not broken, don't fix it. firefox does me fine. i'm used to the extensions the way firefox does them. it integrates fairly well into gnome.

therefore, i see no reason to change.

[pseudo_nz]

I use firefox.
although I do really love konqueror - there are just a few things that it cannot do that firefox can.

Like what? I use firefox at the moment, but I want to try Konqueror (I just can't get kmail to open links straight to it, in spite of advice from people here).

I tried Opera back when I was using XP, but I didn't like the way it dealt with emails, so gave up and went back to firefox.

[RandomJoe]

I started using Firefox when it was able to work better than the other alternatives at the time. Now, Konq and others are perfectly capable - perhaps even better. But I *know* Firefox, and I like how it works. Guess now I'm kinda like all those people who won't change off IE for anything... :D

Others are good, but since I don't have a reason to switch I don't bother. Firefox doesn't give me problems, and they don't offer features compelling enough for me to change.

[aysiu]

I'm with ComplexNumber and RandomJoe.

At the time I picked Firefox, it offered all the functionality I needed, and I've found no reasons to explore anything else extensively.

Now, Opera and Konqueror are pretty fully featured (the latest release of Opera in particular has a lot of goodies that I usually cover with Firefox extensions), but I've just grown so accustomed to the way Firefox does stuff that I've stuck with it. There's no compelling reason for me to switch to Opera. The learning curve is too steep to get a fraction of a second faster browsing speed and a closed source browser. With tabbed browsing, speed isn't a factor for me in choosing a web browser.

[FyreBrand]

I use Konqueror for 80% of my browsing and Firefox for the other 20%. Firefox works better for me on some Java based sites such as Moodles and Google. I have all features available on those sites in Firefox. I also like how I can sync my browser via GoogleSync between home and work. I love the combo of NoScript and adblock. It's fun to surf with a browser that puts control in your hands.

Other than that I would use Konqueror for everything from browsing to just everything. I love Konq and it's super powerful. I can sftp/ssh into my web folders and it's just like a directory on my own hard drive. It's just another thing I love about Linux and what makes this OS so fun to use and explore.

I use Opera for testing web pages in. I like Opera, but The first two suit my needs.

[teet]

b) the other main one is opera, and although i have heard good things about it, the way i see it is: if its not broken, don't fix it. firefox does me fine. i'm used to the extensions the way firefox does them. it integrates fairly well into gnome.

I agree.

It takes quite a lot to get me to switch a program I use on a daily basis. The new program has to not only be AS GOOD as the old program, but it has to offer me something more to give me incentive to put the time in to switch/get accustomed to it.

-teet

[Hex_Mandos]

pseudo_nz: Konqueror is a good browser: It's 100% standards-compliant, does everything we expect from a browser, is plugin-compatible (I used to think it wasn't) and has some nifty tricks (like an easy way to change the way it's identified). However, it doesn't display things like my WordPress TinyMCE editor nicely, and doesn't allow me to resize it. And in my Wordpress 2.1 installation, I can't use the tabbed editor. I use WordPress daily, so I can't use Konqueror.

Also, I don't want my RSS feeds to be handled by Akgregator. I use online services, because I don't want to reconfigure my reader every time I format my drive. I prefer the way Firefox does feeds.

[23meg]

Firefox. I simply can't give up the functionality of some extensions (Scrapbook and Greasemonkey in special), and it's open source, unlike Opera, which is the only other browser I'd consider using full time.

[kevinlyfellow]

When I was first using linux, there were no good browsers for linux. I jumped between galeon, netscape, mozilla and konqueror (my fav at the time, although, it was uncomfortable since I use gnome!). Finally one came along that just felt right, firebird. Extensions were coming out and man was that sweet. Really the extensions have provided me with a browser that is customized to me and no one else, and that is just simply cool. In fact, my favorite extension is NukeAnything, and when on other browsers (and other people's ff) I'm always looking for the remove button. I also like ff because it is open. It also looks nice in gnome, so thats another good reason for me to use it. I went back to windows for about a year and when using ie, I realize how dependent I became of tabbed browsing.

I considered using epiphany for a while, but it was frustrating and not worth it. I did this because I have some paranoid fears that Mozilla Corp will become evil.

So I guess that I choose firefox because it came at the right time for me and then I got locked into its features. I guess that if I needed to choose another browser I would look for customizability. I really want it to do the things that I want it to do, and not what the developers choose for me (as I write this from gnome :-b).

[Bezmotivnik]

I use FireFox for the extensions.

I had a total nosebleed of a time with Opera in both Linux and XP,

[DJ_Peng]

I first started using Firefox because it wasn't IE, and I had tried Opera before and wasn't thrilled with it. I still use Opera and IE to check my web pages, but my daily surfing goes in Firefox. I stuck with it mainly because I can use it the was I want to. I may not have my browser extended to hell and back like some have, but I have a nice list of extensions installed.

I've taken to liking Firefox so much that I started testing early versions about a year or so ago. and I love how responsive the developers are to the users. I've seen a number of items brought up by the users that have been fixed within a few nightly builds, and I've seen how fast they get vulnerabilities fixed. It's that kind of attention to the little things with users that got my loyalty. Plus I can't wait to try out what they're working on for Firefox 3. Now if we could only get IE Tab working in Linux with IEs4Linux to mak eit easier to check tings out...

[kevCast]

Firefox for now because it's the best, but once Songbird gets the kinks figured out, I'll probably be using that.

[Spr0k3t]

I'm in the depths of FireFox. I used to have Opera and used it religiously over anything else. Then I found I could configure FireFox the same way I had Opera set... no turning back now. I've steered clear from IE since it's inception, even before Microsoft swallowed the company who created it. However, when I'm cruising through questionable material, text only through the terminal with a Lynx alternative.

[RAV TUX]

I always like looking at different software, and browsers are one of my favorite programs to explore. I personally like Firefox, having tried other good alternatives like Opera, Konqueror, Seamonkey and Flock. But I always keep wondering why others use the browsers they use, especially in the Linux world where pretty much everybody knows that there are alternatives to the default options. Why do you choose your browser over others? (Please, don't use this thread to bash other browsers. I might like Firefox, but I'm not going to bash its competition, there are several worthy products out there)

Myself: I use Firefox mainly because of its extensibility. I like being able to customize its functionality to my needs. I also like its handling of RSS feeds, and I find its default handling of tabs much more comfortable than Seamonkey or Flock's (browsers that have some degree of compatibility with FF, all stemming from the common Mozilla source). Finally, it's (mostly) Free as in Freedom, and I value that (although I occasionally use proprietary software).

I never limit myself to 1 anything, whether it is an OS or browser

I primarily use 3 browsers...

1. Firefox:
Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1) Gecko/20061117 Firefox/2.0

2. Konqueror
3.5.5 in KDE 3.5.5

3. Opera:
Opera/9.10 (X11; Linux i686; U; en)
Build: 521, System: i686, 2.6.19-gentoo-r4, Qt library: 3.3.6,
Java Runtime Environment installed

[black_magician]

I use Firefox exclusively. I just love the ablitlity of some extensions out there. No more ad's, Tabs, Live Bookmarks, FasterFox, and I generally try to stick with Open Source software whenever possible.

[riven0]

I use Opera because it's the fastest and best looking browser out there. It also has nifty little extensions, like the eyeglass bar, the note taker and the widgets. Its memory footprint is smaller than Firefox, also.

[raul_]

Epiphany. It's gnome-ish and i like the thought that i don't depend on extensions :) although epiphany has a LOT of extensions. I think epiphany is big time underrated

[RAV TUX]

Epiphany. It's gnome-ish and i like the thought that i don't depend on extensions :) although epiphany has a LOT of extensions. I think epiphany is big time underratedagreed

[aysiu]

It has a lot?

More than what's listed in these two links?
http://www.gnome.org/projects/epiphany/extensions
http://mike.depalatis.net/epiphany/extensions.html

If so, I'm curious and may try Epiphany again.

[raul_]

I'll add this one

http://www.sstuhr.dk/epiphany-extensions/

It's not Firefox-like extensions that do your taxes, check for new content in your favorite rss feed, while instant-messaging, and still serve coffee.

But the "find as you type" extension is very useful and one of the things that i missed from Firefox. With a "LOT" i meant that you can really customize Epiphany and get past that raw feel.

If I may ask, is there any reason you use Firefox, besides the fact that you're used to it?

[jongkind]

Epiphany. It's gnome-ish and i like the thought that i don't depend on extensions :) although epiphany has a LOT of extensions. I think epiphany is big time underrated

Very true. I just fits naturally in Gnome, it is light, but yet very powerful.

[aysiu]

Firefox does everything I need it to do, and it has all the extensions I want.

[RAV TUX]

I never limit myself to 1 anything, whether it is an OS or browser

I primarily use 3 browsers...

1. Firefox:
Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1) Gecko/20061117 Firefox/2.0

2. Konqueror
3.5.5 in KDE 3.5.5

3. Opera:
Opera/9.10 (X11; Linux i686; U; en)
Build: 521, System: i686, 2.6.19-gentoo-r4, Qt library: 3.3.6,
Java Runtime Environment installed

Edit updated to Firefox:
Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1.1) Gecko/20070128 Firefox/2.0.0.1

and I have installed Epiphany:
GNOME Web Browser 2.16.2
powered by Gecko 1.8

I will try to use Epiphany more often, all though I honestly like Galeon better then Epiphany

[DJ_Peng]

If I may ask, is there any reason you use Firefox, besides the fact that you're used to it?

I forgot the other big reason I use Firefox. I also use it because when I pimp it I know I can recommend it to everyone, regardless of their platform. There have been some MacOS differences, but they always get fixed so it's as platform agnostic as possible. I'd never get a MacOS computer, but I understand some people swear by them and I want to be able to recommend a program even they can use, for both browsing and their email..

[raul_]

I use epiphany and i still recommend Firefox to my friends who use windows. I know that Firefox is more powerful than Epiphany, but i the Gnome philosophy of doing one thing, and doing it right. I also use Evolution for example.

[fuscia]

my current favorite is opera. i like the wand thing and quick preferences. i also think it looks good (with the right theme).

[ButteBlues]

Epiphany. It's gnome-ish and i like the thought that i don't depend on extensions :) although epiphany has a LOT of extensions. I think epiphany is big time underrated
Ditto.

I use Epiphany exclusively.


Though, for a while I did play with Firefox 3 a1.

[Alpha_toxic]

Opera here.
I've been using it for many years now. It does everything I want it to do, It's fast and 100% standard compliant. The majority of FF users keep on talking about their extensions and how no other browser can not come close to the functionality, but realy, until now I have not seen a single _usefull_ (stuff like teatimers don't qualify, although there is such widget in Opera :p) FF extension, which functionality I can't reproduce with Opera (custom buttons and menus, user javascript, human readable config files... it's all there waiting). Plus I don't care that much about the software being OS or not. It's much more important for me that the software uses open standards that promote interoperatability (oposite to the MS vendor lock...).

[halfvolle melk]

Konqueror because it works really well with our large LAN of SMB shares. It is infact the reason for me to pick Kubuntu over Ubuntu. For some reason Firefox appears to perform poorly when accessing shares.

[raul_]

Opera here.
but realy, until now I have not seen a single _usefull_ (stuff like teatimers don't qualify, although there is such widget in Opera :p) FF extension, which functionality I can't reproduce with Opera (custom buttons and menus, user javascript, human readable config files... it's all there waiting).

I liked the Tor button, that toggled tor on/off when you clicked it :cool:

[Mateo]

I use Firefox because of adblock and foxmarks. If Opera had a better plugin system, i'd switch in a heartbeat, because I prefer it overall. But I can't stand looking at ads, and need my browser to syncronize bookmarks because i use several computers.

[IYY]

I use Firefox because of adblock, and because it is the default browser on many distros. I like to be using the same software at home, school, friends' houses, etc.

It also has a very simple and comfortable interface.

However, I do have problems with it eating memory, occasionally crashing or refusing to start up, saying that it's already running.

[FuturePilot]

Firefox for me because of its themes and extension. Opera would be my second choice.

[mostwanted]

I use Firefox because I'm addicted to the Google Browser SYnc extension that syncs my bookmarks and cookies between all the computers that I frequent. If I didn't have that I'd use Epiphany because it integrates better with Gnome.

[Sepp1]

I use Opera, because im used to it from the good old windows days (6 months ago, and still clean), and i chose it because its superiority over IE. FF2 however has everything Opera has, i just havn´t changed yet.

Sepp

[Hex_Mandos]

Thanks everybody! It was refreshing to hear from the non-Firefox crowd, even though Firefoxers seem to be in the majority.

[mtron]

and the first Seamonkey 1.1 enthusiast ;)

got really p*ssed off with ff 2.0 Crashed really often and was just not so stable as it used to be... but SeaMonkey is amazingly stable! No crash since i did the switch 2 months ago, the most important extensions work (for me adblock & copy plain text) and i'm really happy!

[Quillz]

On Windows and Firefox, I use Firefox. But on Mac OS X, I use Camino, because of its incredible UI integration.

[PatrickMay16]

I use whatever browser is fit for the job.
On slower machines with less memory, I use links2 with the -g option or dillo. On faster machines I use firefox.

[grte]

I use elinks because it's text based and doesn't try to be anything else, and thus does it very well.

I also use epiphany on the occasions that I find a site that a text browser just wont render well.

[Motoxrdude]

I just use firefox because it comes with just about ever linux distros and i doesn't have an audio issue with flash. I am so used to it that i cant really use anything else.

[EmilyRose]

I prefer opera over firefox for two reasons really: the wand and tabs.

Now I know that firefox has tabs, but no matter what settings I have it on, it still insists on opening things in new windows rather than new tabs - and I hate that. I love tabs and have absolutely zero desire for multiple windows... the wand is just super hand, especially as I generally don't accept cookies. Oh and the adblocker on opera simply rocks.

[Dale61]

Put me down as another Firefox user.

I have to keep my pc as simple as possible as my pc illiterate girlfriend also uses it. She hates change.

[steven8]

Firefox. I like the way it works, and I know I can remove it anytime I want to and not cripple my system. :)

[SZF2001]

Opera for me. Why? I like to go visit the Flash Tub and YouTube WITHOUT MY BROWSER CRASHING. Or stalling to the point of crashing. It's rediculous, really... Opera hasn't crashed so far, so here's to that! Yay!

[hk_2999]

Im in an amd64 system, and I watch flash, java, etc. apps and sites that don't work in FF in Epiphany but my bookmarks and extensions are still in FF2. When FF becomes stabler, maybe I won't need Epiphany anymore. But I still like the way that Epiphany uses my current GNOME icons instead of it's own like Firefox does.

[karellen]

I use opera as my primary browser (in ubuntu) and firefox as the second, very very close to opera. I like diversity. I windows, I use ie7 (I like the way it renders some fonts:) ) and firefox, but still firefox gets the prime time

[zvacet]

Opera forever.Why?I used IE wich is worst thing I ever tried and I need Outlook for mail.Then I swiched to FF and understand that I can still use Outlook or choose Thunderbird.After that I tried Opera and relized everything is inside.No other programs to downoad,no choices to make.I have all I need in one place.And speed and stability...

[OrangeCrate]

I found Firefox on Windows, because like most, I wanted a browser for security reasons that wasn't a direct link to the heart of the operating system. (Update security in Firefox - reboot Firefox. Update security in IE - reboot Windows.)

I've used Opera and I like it, but I've gotten use to Firefox, and I know how to tweak it to my needs. So, I'll stick with it until I can't resist moving on to something newer and cooler. But, I haven't seen anything yet...

[Ubluedog]

greetings,
i use firefox. its fast, tabbed and easy.
it was good using netscape in the ooollld days instead of microsofts offering.unfortunately i am forced to use IE at work, some sites still want only IE . (its windozzze there)
its refreshing to get home to a nice browser. i dont like opera , all those adds, flashing lights and crap ewww.
still experimenting with linux here, trying to solve the screen res and acpi problems on my armada 1700 to get ubuntu really flying.
(we are solar powered so a big computer is out of the question)
cheers

[Erik Trybom]

I use Opera right now. I did like Firefox, and especially the configurability, but after a while all the extensions became too much. I used 10-15 different extensions to do things which in many cases should have been included from the start. All these extensions (or perhaps just one of them, who knows?) made the browser buggy and one day it crashed so bad I couldn't start it again.

Then I tried Opera, and everything was just as I wanted it to be. Mouse gestures, advanced tabbed browsing, speed and stability, everything was there to begin with. I sometimes miss the flexibility of Firefox, but the overall browsing experience is a lot nicer with Opera.

[yatt]

I use Konqueror, on gnome. The only thing I miss from Firefox is the ability to do an "I'm feeling lucky" Google search in the location bar (which actually seemss to just do regular Google searches more often than not in FF2), and the memory footprint.

Suprisingly enough, Konqueror fits into my Gnome desktop better than FF did with the Tango theme.

[Boomy]

I use Firefox 1.5ish. Opera is nice, but the interface is a little less polished feeling to me. I'm not a big fan of Firefox as it does crash occasionally, but the only alternatives beside Opera seem to use the same engine as Firefox so I haven't even bothered to try them. I haven't upgraded to 2.0 yet, due to instability rumors. Are the bugs worked out of it yet?