# what's the best alternative to Internet Explorer? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 6, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003 "2003-09-06T22:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/1 "2003-09-06T22:53:43Z")
? to avoid pop-ups etc ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/2 "2003-09-06T22:56:56Z")
What are these _pop-ups_ you speak of? Buy a Mac, and use Safari. Behold the Power of Tabs! ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/3 "2003-09-06T22:58:31Z")
OPERA!!! ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/4 "2003-09-06T23:00:07Z")
Ok, sorry, that was just my first reaction when I read the thread title. Opera is a really awesome browser, it has some small problems with flash, but beyond that, it’s great. You can download it at [www.opera.com](http://www.opera.com), and there’s no need to get a mac to avoid pop-ups. In fact, I believe IE is the default for Mac now too. Safari is Opera-based I believe, same with Galeon (\*nix browser), so get the original, Opera is cool. > **[Opera Web Browser | Faster, Safer, Smarter | Opera](https://www.opera.com)** > > Get a faster, better browser. Opera's free VPN, Ad Blocker, integrated messengers and private mode help you browse securely and smoothly. Share files instantly between your desktop and mobile browsers and experience web 3.0 with a free cryptowallet. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/5 "2003-09-06T23:12:24Z")
Another vote for Opera here too. Jon ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/6 "2003-09-06T23:25:24Z")
This link will work better: > **[Opera Web Browser | Faster, Safer, Smarter | Opera](https://www.opera.com)** > > Get a faster, better browser. Opera's free VPN, Ad Blocker, integrated messengers and private mode help you browse securely and smoothly. Share files instantly between your desktop and mobile browsers and experience web 3.0 with a free cryptowallet. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/7 "2003-09-06T23:28:29Z")
The only problem I’ve heard of with Opera is that they want money for it. I use Mozilla, [http://www.mozilla.org/](http://www.mozilla.org/). There’s also a browser-only version (no mail or news) called Firebird. Both versions have tabs and pop-up blocking. ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/8 "2003-09-06T23:41:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dakravel \* > **In fact, I believe IE is the default for Mac now too.** Nope, Safari is the default for Mac (and it rocks!). Unfortunately I still have to hang on to Netscape as well, as not all web sites will display properly in Safari. ---
**Author:** ![lord\_vykor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e495f1/32.png) [@lord\_vykor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lord_vykor)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/9 "2003-09-07T00:00:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dakravel \* > Safari is Opera-based I believe…so get the original, Opera is cool. I don’t think so. Safari is based on KHTML, the open source project that the Konqueror and OmniWeb shares. Opera isn’t KHTML as far as I know. Since stand-alone IE development has been discontinued for both Mac and Windows, it’s probably good to start looking for an alternative. On Mac, Safari’s great with Mozilla as a backup. For Windows…hmmm, I tend to lean to Mozilla as well simply because I’m familiar with its interface and prefer to deal with an open-source project. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/10 "2003-09-07T00:04:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Nope, Safari is the default for Mac (and it rocks!). Yeah, and it’s a spawn of Opera. As a very, very foolish man once said: Hail to the King, Baby. Opera is fast, rock-solid, and stylish. If you’re not willing to fork over money for it, there’s a free version. If you want a “lite” browser, go for Firebird or Pheonix (Mozilla products). They both have popup-free browsing, pretty much. They’re not as fast as Opera, though. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/11 "2003-09-07T00:14:23Z")
Netscape 7.0: [http://www.netscape.com](http://www.netscape.com) has native pop-up suppression, and LOTS of other advantages over IE. I barely remember pop-ups these days. Unless I use someone else’s computer who still uses Explorer. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/12 "2003-09-07T00:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Gadfly_ > > > [@](#): > > > > Nope, Safari is the default for Mac (and it rocks!). > > Yeah, and it’s a spawn of Opera. Where are you getting this information? Obviously not from [Apple.com](http://www.apple.com/safari/), where Safari’s heritage is described as: > [@](#): > > **Open source** > Safari uses open source software — for its Web page rendering engine, Safari draws on KHTML and KJS software from the KDE open source project. Being a good open source citizen, Apple shares its enhancements with the open source community. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/13 "2003-09-07T00:19:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjk \* > \*\*The only problem I’ve heard of with Opera is that they want money for it. I use Mozilla, [http://www.mozilla.org/](http://www.mozilla.org/). There’s also a browser-only version (no mail or news) called Firebird. Both versions have tabs and pop-up blocking. \*\* The free version of Opera is the same as the registered version, exept that it has a small banner ad in the corner that you never notice. It doesn’t contain any spyware or anything, just a unobtrusive banner ad that I really don’t even notice. I’ve used Mozilla, but Opera’s better. jon ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/14 "2003-09-07T00:55:23Z")
Yeah, Safari is khtml, I withdraw my statement about it being an Opera spawn. I just hadn’t heard much about it before. ---
**Author:** ![typhoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@typhoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typhoon)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/15 "2003-09-07T00:58:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dakravel \* > \*_Safari is Opera-based I believe, same with Galeon (nix browser), so get the original, Opera is cool._ Um, no. Safari uses the KHTML rendering engine (which is also used by Konqueror), and Galeon uses the Gecko rendering engine (which is also used by Mozilla). Anyway, I recommend Mozilla because Gecko is the best rendering engine out there at the moment. Opera has a great UI, but it’s rendering engine gives me grief. Here are the recommended versions of Mozilla: [Firebird](http://www.texturizer.net/firebird/) and its conjugate mail client [Thunderbird](http://www.texturizer.net/thunderbird/) are slightly rougher around the edges, but I think they’re the most ready for the average home user. I use them on my home system. They’re lightweight, dedicated, and feature-packed. I recommend these the highest. The [SeaMonkey](http://www.mozillafoundation.org/releases/#1.4) suite is pretty fast these days, and I think it’s the most polished. It’s the version I’m using right now, and it’s available on basically any platform (Windows, Mac, \*nix). It has a notoriety for being bloated, but if you use the Windows installer, you can roll a compact build with only the components you’ll use and save some memory. The SeaMonkey browser and mail components take less memory and hard drive space than running both Firebird and Thunderbird; something to consider if you plan on using it for both. [K-Meleon](http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/) is also a neat little project. It’s _very_ fast, especially if you set it to stay in memory. It looks and acts a lot like IE and shares bookmarks/favorites with Mozilla, IE, and Opera. However, its preferences aren’t very user-friendly, so you kind of have to know what you’re doing to get the most out of it. And it acts too much like IE for my liking (you can’t middle-click on links to launch them in new tabs, for instance). I still think it’s a better browser all around than IE, though, because it uses Gecko. You can turn off many features to conserve memory if you don’t use them. So if you want a very bare-bones browser and don’t mind taking the time to customize it, give this a shot. [Galeon](http://galeon.sourceforge.net/) and [Camino](http://mozilla.org/projects/camino/) are Mozilla browsers whose UIs are geared specifically for the GNOME desktop environment and Mac OS X respectively. I haven’t tried either, but I imagine they fit into their respective environments much better than the platform-independent SeaMonkey and Firebird UIs. I don’t recommend the Netscape client. It’s SeaMonkey with more bloat (i.e., Netscape and AOL branding all over it). ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/16 "2003-09-07T01:09:12Z")
I prefer Mozilla to Opera. I tried Opera, but for some reason it just didn’t like me, and Java was the SUCK. Mozilla has run as smooth as a dream for me, and I’m adoring tabbed browsing. I have it set to block most (not all) popups because I go to a couple of web sites that just don’t work when I use full popup blocking. They wouldn’t hold my cookies at ALL under Opera. They’re working fine with Mozilla. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/17 "2003-09-07T01:48:54Z")
Single best arguement in favor of Mozilla/Firebird:[flash click to view](http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info.php/flashclick) Basically, it replaces all flash objects on any page with a big box. If you click in the box, the flash plays. If you don’t, it don’t. -lv ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/18 "2003-09-07T01:55:37Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Hamadryad_ > I prefer Mozilla to Opera. I tried Opera, but for some reason it just didn’t like me, and Java was the SUCK. I updated my version of Mozilla Firebird (0.6) to version 0.6.1 a while back. The binary distribution of 0.6.1 had been compiled with gcc 3.2 rather than gcc 2.95, which was the version used to compile the 0.6 binary distribution. The result of using different compiler versions was that the Sun Java plugin no longer worked, so I had to upgrade the Java VM to Sun’s latest version, compiled with gcc 3.2. The newer Java VM ran much more slowly, making gameplay in [Bejeweled](http://zone.msn.com/bejeweled/) feel like swimming in molasses. I tried other Java VMs without finding any one that made Bejeweled play as it had before. Then I tried to compile Firebird 0.6.1 myself, using the 2.95 version of gcc. I ran into errors during the compile, and rather than bother the Mozilla developers with error messages from a clueless non-programmer’s attempt to compile the spaghetti-code that is Mozilla, I gave up and went back to Firebird 0.6 with the original Sun Java plugin. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/19 "2003-09-07T07:20:31Z")
- - - I prefer (for a PC) Mozilla to Netscape, but just because Mozilla seems to consistently run somewhat faster. Also I have noted that when I attemted to install some common plug-ins in Mozilla, they got installed into Netscape’s plugin folder instead, but then all you need to do is install both Netscape and Mozilla, install your plugins first in Netscape and then copy all the files from Netscape’s plugin folder into Mozilla’s. - As for Opera, when I tried it I couldn’t get Java and Flash to work right. Mozilla is free and free of ads, and uses all of Netscape’s plugins. Since IE and Netscape get the plugins first, Moz \> Opera. - Do note that many pages still don’t show up correctly in anything except IE. What I’d really like to see in Mozilla is a right-click shortcut that opens the current page in IE. ~ ---
**Author:** ![culov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@culov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/culov)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003/20 "2003-09-07T07:34:45Z")
opera\>mozilla\>netscape\>ie [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-alternative-to-internet-explorer/200003.md?page=2)