People are spending increasing portions of their lives doing one thing or another on the internet, let’s face it. So while concerning yourself with which internet browser you use may seem somewhat tedious, choosing the right one really can make your internet life much simpler and more enjoyable.

When it comes to browsers, everyone values fast speeds and tight security – so getting the latest version of any browser is always your best bet. The rest is entirely up to personal preference (trust me, this topic has been at the heart of many an internet argument). All I can recommend is trying a few for yourself, then choosing the one that just ‘feels right’.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the five most popular options:

Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is Microsoft’s own browser and comes built into Microsoft Windows. It’s the most supported browser by websites and applications, has by far the most users and is straightforward to use. Internet Explorer does have rather limited customising options though, so it’s ideal for those who want the basics and don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Apple operating systems, and has a few little extras when compared to other browsers. Think built-in spellchecker, the option to save your session (all the tabs you have open) and live bookmarking. Firefox also supports loads of third party applications like Twitter, Adblock Plus and Cooliris (an image gallery application). Because of its sizable memory use, Firefox takes a little longer to load than other browsers.

Google Chrome
Chrome is probably the fastest browser of the bunch and has a very clean and simple to use design. As Google’s brainchild, it figures that it comes with built-in Google Search and works seamlessly with other Google offerings. Unlike other browsers, it updates itself continuously in the background, so you’ll always have the latest version – no notifications required. Chrome isn’t yet available on Apple operating systems, although there are plans to rectify this down the line.

Opera
Opera is great for portable devices like mobiles and smart phones, with useful zooming options and a download manager. It’s compatible with both Apple and Windows operating systems and has pretty tight security. It’s not as widely used as Firefox, but is a healthy alternative.

Safari
Apple’s answer to Explorer, Safari is native to all internet-enabled Apple devices (Macs, iPhones, iPods etc.), so it’s a favourite for Apple devotees. Google is built-in, which is pretty handy. Safari also works on devices running Microsoft Windows XP or Vista, although it does slow its pace when running out of its Apple comfort zone. Also, for Safari to work at an optimum level, you need to make sure it has the latest system update – so a little housekeeping is required.

Hopefully this helps you with what can be a confusing decision.

Happy browsing!

Posted by natalie.king

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 4:09 pm and is filed under Educational. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.