Mozilla/Opera Browsers

[screaming_banjo]

Hi

I'm a beginner in all this, so I hope you all won't mind me asking what's probably a really stupid question!

Since at present I only develop for IE (everything I do is internal, so no need for any other browsers!)

However while browsing this forum and other sites, I've noticed particular references to Opera/Mozilla. Can someone tell me the reason why you all find these browsers particularly popular?

I have a site that I wish to write at home and will have to allow for different browsers (I really want to do it to try to get my code up to date in terms of standards etc.)

I will therefore have to download some other browsers....I only have a dial-up connection, so I'd like to keep it to a minimum, at least to start with!

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[spufi]

Why do we use them? Because they are better browsers. You can resize text easily. They handle W3C standard code much better. Tabbed windows, loading them in the background, and opening multiple tabbed windows really rocks. Also no pop ups. A text area has a sot to do searches via Google so no reason to download the Google side bar. There's other stuff too, but that's just some of the stuff that I notice right of the bat with Mozilla/Firebird.

In terms of download times, Mozilla and Opera will take longer due to the fact that they are bigger downloads. Firebird is smaller because it's based off of Mozilla, but a stripped down version with some extra features. One being quicker load times because it is a stipped down version. You'll likely use Firebird anyway so download that first and then work in Mozilla and Opera.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/
http://www.mozilla.org/
http://www.opera.com/

[Robert Wellock]

The list is endless...

This is primarily because Mozilla and Opera tend to be more up-to-date and adhere better to the W3C web standards, whereas M$ Explorer is extremely outdated and is packed full of rendering bugs and has poorer support for standards.

Since modern Webmasters of any reputation would like their web designs to be consistent and interoperable between platforms they tend to follow the W3C guidelines.

Since M$ does a bad job at that, they have lost web developer popularity much like with Netscape 4.xx.

Basically people have got feed-up of things looking wrong due to browser failings and not their syntax.

Furthermore M$ Explorer doesn't understand XHTML which has been around before 1999 since it was stemmed form XML which has been around since 1996 which equates to about one decade.

I suggest you visit: http://texturizer.net/firebird/download.html

[screaming_banjo]

Thank you for your comments......and enlightenment!

I'll check out your link...and wait for the download over my dial-up connection......I neeeed broadband!

[PeOfEo]

want to have another mozilla opera debate anyone? :D

[Paul Jr]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
want to have another mozilla opera debate anyone? :D
I'm game. ;)

--------------------------------
Topic:
Firebird is better.
--------------------------------

Okay, anyone dispute that? No? Good. Debate over. :p

[fredmv]

Internet Explorer Considered Harmful (http://ashitaka-san.home.comcast.net/yayrant/ieharmful.html)

[PeOfEo]

I am a die hard fb user too... so are there any die hard opera users in the house?

[spufi]

All I have to say is Firebird + Web Developer extension = Homer's drool.

:D

http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info.php/webdeveloper

[Paul Jr]

Originally posted by spufi
All I have to say is Firebird + Web Developer extension = Homer's drool.

:D

http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info.php/webdeveloper
Ditto on that. I went psycho-crazy after I had downloaded that. It's awesome!.

[Robert Wellock]

Well, screaming_banjo

If you posted me an SAE containing a blank CD-R in a slim line case and paid the postage (approximately one first class stamp) I'd post you Firebird and several other browsers - which would save you days of downloading.

PM me if you are interested.

[pyro]

Originally posted by Robert Wellock
If you posted me an SAE containing a blank CD-R in a slim line case and paid the postage (approximately one first class stamp) I'd post you Firebird and several other browsers - which would save you days of downloading.That's a very kind offer, Robert.

[Paul Jr]

Psshaw, you're weak! :p

I have the most horribly slow dial-up, and that didn't stop me!

I downloaded Netscape, Mozilla, Firebird, Opera, IE 5.5, and IE 5.01.

[screaming_banjo]

Thanks Robert, have sent you a message!

Paul - yes, yes, I am weak! :o I also have a duff dial up connection! But hey....if someone was kind enough to offer you all these browsers I'm sure you too would accept their very nice offer!

[Paul Jr]

Originally posted by screaming_banjo
Thanks Robert, have sent you a message!

Paul - yes, yes, I am weak! :o I also have a duff dial up connection! But hey....if someone was kind enough to offer you all these browsers I'm sure you too would accept their very nice offer!
I most certainly would! :D

[Robert Wellock]

Well, if you pay the shipping costs I will put this T-1 to good use :D