# Computers--changing browers--help please? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102 "2011-08-01T22:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/1 "2011-08-01T22:27:35Z")
I’m fed up with IE. Please don’t burn electrons asdking me why I still have it. I’ve got an old copy of Firefox 3.0 on my machine. 1)Is this still good? 2)How do I get a new version of Firefox if not? 1. Most Importantt–does it cost money to get a new version of Firefox? As I am damn poor. I’d have to set up Firefox to use my current web proxy server (I haven’t used it for a couple of years or three. 1. Transferring bookmarks would be needed, too. 5)Advice & input, please? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/2 "2011-08-01T22:38:30Z")
Firefox is free software. > **[Internet for people, not profit — Mozilla (US)](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/)** > > Mozilla is the not-for-profit behind the lightning fast Firefox browser. We put people over profit to give everyone more power online. It looks like the current version is 5.0.1. You should upgrade if your computer can take it. Old browsers can be more susceptible to malware. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/3 "2011-08-01T22:39:32Z")
1. Up to you. Many people still use Firefox 3. 2. [http://getfirefox.com/](http://getfirefox.com/) 3. It’s free. It has proxy settings much like IE. 4. File/Import will do that. If you install a new version it should offer to import everything for you. 5. An alternative is Google Chrome, which is also free. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/4 "2011-08-01T22:56:26Z")
I like Google Chrome. [http://www.google.com/chrome](http://www.google.com/chrome) It is a bit of a memory hog, so on my computers with 1gb of memory I use another browser from mozilla called Seamonkey. [http://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/](http://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/) It is a leaner version of firefox with less bells and whistles and problems than firefox. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/5 "2011-08-02T01:32:40Z")
SeaMonkey is an [“all-in-one internet application suite”](http://www.seamonkey-project.org/) > [@](#): > > Containing an Internet browser, email & newsgroup client with an included web feed reader, HTML editor, IRC chat and web development tools, and is targeted at > [@](#): > > advanced users, web developers and corporate users. As such, I question whether it is the right thing to recommend to someone who is used to IE, and has not yet figured out how to upgrade to a recent version of Firefox. Firefox is now a very well established browser, stable, and widely used by non-techies. Your old version should still work, but it will be more secure and stable if you get teh latest version (and keep it updated). Chrome would probably do too. It is also now pretty well established and stable, although most of its regular users seem to be the kind of people who get passionate about shaving a few milliseconds off page rendering times. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/6 "2011-08-02T04:31:07Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > As such, I question whether it [Sea Monkey] the right thing to recommend to someone who is used to IE, and has not yet figured out how to upgrade to a recent version of Firefox. It’s target is silly. It’s really just Firefox with a bunch of other programs built in. It’s only for techies in the sense that they are one of the few groups of people who still use the other programs, such as non-webbased email. Still, I agree that SeaMonkey is not the way to go, if only because it’s non-mainstream. I’d just go with Firefox first. Uninstall Firefox 3, choosing to delete your old settings, and then go get Firefox 5, starting fresh (which will make sure you don’t run into problems upgrading). It will then offer to import your Favorites for you. Then go get a few addons, use Firefox for a week or so. Then, if you aren’t completely satisfied, go download Chrome (which should also import your Favorites or your Firefox Bookmarks), and use it for a week to compare. Then go with the one you like better: faster (Chrome) or more features (Firefox). Oh, and the answers to your other two questions is that modern well-made web browsers do not cost money. \*Now that Mozilla has finally fixed addons to **automatically update to the latest version of Firefox** , there’s really no reason to stay with Firefox 3 unless you have a must-have addon that you _know_ will never be Firefox 4+ compatible. And, seeing as you are coming from IE, I seriously doubt that’s you. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/7 "2011-08-02T09:17:24Z")
If you choose Firefox, go into the add-ons menu (it’s one of the options when you click the Firefox button in the top left corner) and find and install Adblock Plus. You will find the internet to be a much smoother, more pleasant place after. The add-on is free and takes about two seconds to install. After it installs, you restart Firefox and choose which ad blocking list you want to use (usually Easylist or another English one). After that you won’t see ads anymore. NoScript is also an option but breaks all javascript by default (you have to tell it what to allow) so it might not be the best option for a new user. But Adblock Plus is essential. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/8 "2011-08-02T10:57:01Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > If you choose Firefox, go into the add-ons menu (it’s one of the options when you click the Firefox button in the top left corner) and find and install Adblock Plus. You will find the internet to be a much smoother, more pleasant place after. The add-on is free and takes about two seconds to install. After it installs, you restart Firefox and choose which ad blocking list you want to use (usually Easylist or another English one). After that you won’t see ads anymore. > > NoScript is also an option but breaks all javascript by default (you have to tell it what to allow) so it might not be the best option for a new user. But Adblock Plus is essential. That’s my setup since 4-5 years back and I did not have any troubles so far, when sometimes I have the chance of using somebody’s PC, I am always surprised how many of this users are putting up with the s… from all this websites. With AdblockPlus and NoScript, I have no advertisement and Non Script is easy to use and is a very good defence against malicious code.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/9 "2011-08-02T12:19:49Z")
You can download the latest version of all 5 major browsers for free: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera. Try all of them and see which one you like best! Firefox [http://www.mozilla.com](http://www.mozilla.com) Chrome [Google Chrome - Download the Fast, Secure Browser from Google](http://www.google.com/chrome) Safari [Safari - Apple](http://www.apple.com/safari/) Opera [http://www.opera.com](http://www.opera.com) Internet Explorer [Internet Explorer help - Microsoft Support](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/10 "2011-08-02T21:28:18Z")
This weekend. Today, it was 99 Degrees, & my brain is baked from the ride home. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/11 "2011-08-02T21:41:37Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > If you choose Firefox, go into the add-ons menu (it’s one of the options when you click the Firefox button in the top left corner) and find and install Adblock Plus. You will find the internet to be a much smoother, more pleasant place after. The add-on is free and takes about two seconds to install. After it installs, you restart Firefox and choose which ad blocking list you want to use (usually Easylist or another English one). After that you won’t see ads anymore. > > NoScript is also an option but breaks all javascript by default (you have to tell it what to allow) so it might not be the best option for a new user. But Adblock Plus is essential. On my systems, I run Adblock Plus and Flashblock, which prevent Adobe Flash content from running on its own. Instead, you get a play button that you can press if you do want to view the Flash content. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/12 "2011-08-02T21:44:55Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Oh, and the answers to your other two questions is that modern well-made web browsers do not cost money. I don’t think there are any browsers left that cost money, period. Unless you consider the “cost” of upgrading the OS to a version that supports the browser. (That is, upgrading to Windows 7 to get IE9 or upgrading OS X to get a newer Safari version.) Browsers are funded (indirectly) by internet advertising. The default search provider for the browser gives the maker kickbacks, which are used to fund development. Mozilla, makers of Firefox, are a non-profit corporation. Chrome is obviously funded by Google, and Safari and Internet Explorer are considered operating system components by Apple and Microsoft, respectively. (IE also brings in the dough, especially versions that default to MSN as the homepage. I dunno about Safari.) BTW, if you do install AdBlock Plus, be sure to be kind to useful websites that are advertiser-funded. For example, this one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/13 "2011-08-02T21:53:42Z")
The OP is a paid member, so he shouldn’t see ads even without ad blocking software. As for funding, the Mozilla foundation makes a lot of money from the referrals to Google, due to the Google search window in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. I think they get something in the tens of millions from Google. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/14 "2011-08-02T22:01:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The OP is a paid member, so he shouldn’t see ads even without ad blocking software. …on this specific site. Paying for membership is a great way to “be nice” to a site that is nominally ad-supported. What I object to is people who just turn on AdBlock Plus for every single site, and never give back to the site owners. But anyway, I’m not you conscience, do what you think is right. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/15 "2011-08-03T03:13:48Z")
[**MozBackup**](http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/) is a simple utility for creating backups of [Mozilla Firefox](http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/), [Mozilla Thunderbird](http://www.mozillamessaging.com/), [Mozilla Sunbird](http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/sunbird/), [Flock](http://www.flock.com/), [SeaMonkey](http://www.seamonkey-project.org/), [Mozilla Suite](http://www.mozilla.org/products/mozilla1.x/), [Spicebird](http://www.spicebird.com/), [Songbird](http://www.getsongbird.com/) and [Netscape](http://browser.netscape.com/) profiles. **It allows you to backup and restore** bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, passwords, cache etc. It’s an easy way to do Firefox backup, Thunderbird backup … ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/16 "2011-08-03T03:59:03Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Chrome would probably do too. It is also now pretty well established and stable, although most of its regular users seem to be the kind of people who get passionate about shaving a few milliseconds off page rendering times. I prefer Chrome because it syncs all your settings effortlessly between multiple computers using just a Google login, and because the interface is elegantly minimal. Firefox and Opera are tied as my backups, but I definitely prefer Chrome. And don’t care a whit about rendering times. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/17 "2011-08-03T05:23:40Z")
A recent study indicates that people who use Internet Explorer have a slightly lower IQ than people who use other browsers. [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/18 "2011-08-03T10:27:37Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > A recent study indicates that people who use Internet Explorer have a slightly lower IQ than people who use other browsers. > > [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp) Another recent study indicates that people who rely on anonymous, Internet-based psychometric testing for reliable intelligence statistics have a slightly lower IQ than a doorknob. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/19 "2011-08-04T01:03:54Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > A recent study indicates that people who use Internet Explorer have a slightly lower IQ than people who use other browsers. > > [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2389463,00.asp) Even ignoring the possible hoax status of this, I have no idea why it would be surprising that “low IQ” people tend to use the built-in tools they’re handed rather than seeking out replacements. I mean…duh. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102/20 "2011-08-04T01:10:43Z")
Apparently, that study was a [hoax](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14389430). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-changing-browers-help-please/591102.md?page=2)