Internet Explorer - unsafe to use?

[Beachcomber]

I have used Firefox for years rather than Internet Explorer and my attempts to convert other computer users have been light-hearted but perhaps this article will be more convincing.

[tt]

I use IE to log onto the internet. I am using Windows XP and have McAfee running. Is firefox compatible with McAfee.
Can anyone give me step by step instructions on using Firefox as my internet browser please.
Will it cause problems with any software already installed.
Thanks

[Beachcomber]

This will tell you all you want to know about Firefox plus a link to the UK version download. It is entirely compatible with McAfee and it will not interfere with your other software.

http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/

If you decide to download it check out the add-ons particularly NoScript, AdBlock and FlashBlock

[gerryh]

Just to add a bit to Beechcomber's advice.
You can run IE and Firefox at the same time. You can then see which you prefer.
Another add on worth downloading is the IE tab.
This uses the IE search engine within Firefox for those few sites who break the accepted standards of web site design.

Cheers
Gerry

[Miro]

I have both IE and Firefox but have stuck with using IE simply because I've never had any problems at all, and I'm used to it. Right now, I'm using Firefox, though, because this flaw sounds serious. No doubt by the time it's fixed, I'll be used to Firefox and will stick with it. Another convert!

[rafiki]

The Register, an IT-centric newspaper on the net gives some in-depth info:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/12 ... nceptions/
and:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/09 ... exploited/
and more worryingly:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/11 ... rver_vuln/

[tt]

Thanks for the information. Have downloaded Firefox and the add-ons as suggested. The pages load so much quicker using Firefox.
Another convert.
Thanks

[rafiki]

Mozilla helpfully publishes a page especially for people moving from IE:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/For ... =inproduct

[ken2]

Cheers Beachy, i have loaded it, and will play with it, blooming hard to change old ways ha ha but will have a good go,

[Miro]

Like everything new, it takes getting used to. I spent ages this evening getting aggravated because in IE I have a spell check button on my toolbar, and I couldn't find out how to do it in FF. Not only have I worked out how to add a spell check facility, it works better than IE's version. I can check both English and Español spelling, and furthermore, found there's a natty little feature available to help add accented letters (if you're using a UK keyboard) without having to use number pad codes. Now I can do it with just a click of my mouse. Cool!

[Miro]

What does irritate me, though, and I don't think there's any solution, is that every time I click on a link in an e-mail to an updated thread, it opens in a new tab. The result is loads of tabs open, unless you remember to close one each time a new one opens. Why? In IE, the new page just loads in the existing tab. Anyone?

[gerryh]

I use the tab mix plus add on. Lets me choose exactly how i want to work, new tab, new window existing window etc.
There might be a way of doing similar in Firefox but I've had tab mix plus installed for so long I can't remember if there is another way.

Cheers
Gerry

[Miro]

Gerry, you are now officially My Hero! Thank you.
I'm gradually discovering there's a bewildering array of options and possibilities available with FF - it just takes time to get used to how to find them.

[Beachcomber]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean Gerry but do any of these add-ons do what you want?
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... ab&cat=all

[Paula]

Miro, where did you find the spell checker?
I like the Read it later add-on!

[Miro]

Beach, the link you posted gives you the tab mix plus add-on which Gerry referred to. It works for what I wanted.
Paula, download a dictionary add-on from here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:3. I added English and Spanish. You don't get a tool bar button as in IE, but a simple right click on your mouse while typing such as a reply on this forum, brings up a menu with options to switch from English to Spanish spell check, and whether you want it to highlight mistakes as you type or not. A right click on a spelling error brings up options to correct it. Easy!

[Beachcomber]

Miro, sorry, it didn't register with me that Gerry's post was in answer to yours.

I find the RSS feedreader handy, also the currency converter.

[ken2]

Miro i am thick on computors ,on this dictionary add-on when you download it it says save?? where to please.

[Miro]

Err...I didn't get asked to save anything. It just automatically installed, and a window popped up, advising me that I needed to restart FF to complete the installation. After restarting, if you click on tools and select add-ons you should see it listed.

[ken2]

Err...I didn't get asked to save anything. It just automatically installed, and a window popped up, advising me that I needed to restart FF to complete the installation. After restarting, if you click on tools and select add-ons you should see it listed.

ha ha ha yes cheers it was me i had gone back onto IE ha ha sorry and thanks, got it