Please do not use IE

[Doomgaze]

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119217,00.asp

[Rye]

Now, I have a question. Do they mean ANY website or just a specific bad website? I don't have this problem cause I use Mozilla, but my parents are <s>very</s> a little bit slow with computers so sometimes they click the IE icon even when I tell them not to.

[ZeZipster]

Also note, you're not giving up any compatibility to switch to Firefox. Firefox is more compliant with W3C standards than IE. You'll see more of the effects that were supposed to be seen if you use Firefox. Don't just take my word for it though, compare and contrast pages on www.csszengarden.com using IE and Firefox. You'll begin noticing the visuals you were missing in IE...

[Doomgaze]

Now, I have a question. Do they mean ANY website or just a specific bad website? I don't have this problem cause I use Mozilla, but my parents are <s>very</s> a little bit slow with computers so sometimes they click the IE icon even when I tell them not to.

As of now, "bad" websites.
Although, a "reputable" site could possibly be hacked and have the offending code put on it.

[MecaKane]

Ooooh jesus. I don't want my family to use firefox, it's got all my nice stuff logged it and bookmarked and I don't have them messing, or looking. I have a firewall and don't have SP2 anyway, so it might not be a problem.

[Doomgaze]

get them mozilla :)

[Fuzakeru]

I'm sorry, I'll be the first to admit I'm an idiot when it comes to computers for the most part.

. . . translations to idiot, plzkthnx?

[Doomgaze]

Internet Explorer = horrible horrible security risk

so use some other browser :)

[Fuzakeru]

XD! I asked for that one.

I mean, I get the basic principles of it but I was just wondering what exactly is are they able to do to your computer? Translation to . . . less idiotic.

[escobert]

already use Firefox :P

[Rye]

Well, your computer gets corrupt pretty much. Like, you'll get virus crap than makes your computer die. Like mine has a billion times! :o

[Levian]

I'll use whatever browser I want to, thanks.

[Mirage]

Oh no you aren't!

For the translation to less-idiotic:
A hacker can make a web site that will do bad stuff to your computer if you are using Internet Explorer. Additionally, a hacker can hack a well-known web site and add the "bad stuff code" to that site too. Switching to a non-mainstream browser, like anything but IE, will make you immune to this spesific security hole. Additionally, you will have less security trouble later too, as most bad guys attack the market leader, aka Internet Explorer.

What they can do to you varies. If you are logged in as a computer administrator, a hostile script can do stuff like deleting important files, start programs which you can not see, and use your computer to serve illegal files and similiar stuff. If you are logged in as a normal user, the script is as limited as you are.

Or something.

[Mindflare]

Another good reason to abandon Microsoft completely. Thankya, Microsoft.

Anyway, I, too recommend Firefox to everyone. Unless you actually like reinstalling Windows (or worse).

http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/

Also: Thanks for the heads up.

[DMKA]

Unless my computer blows up, I'm not switching to Firefox, because until then I don't see a reason, other than to get crappy results, and have the nice tabbed browsing feature.

I still don't understand why people are so damn concerned about what browser everyone else is using.

[Meat Puppet]

I switched to Firefox because IE doesn't load many pages any more. Until then, I favoured IE. I didn't switch because a group of secret friends parades around beating people until they change to make the group of secret friends more comfortable about being them. And their handbags.

[DMKA]

I switched to Firefox because IE doesn't load many pages any more. Until then, I favoured IE. I didn't switch because a group of secret friends parades around beating people until they change to make the group of secret friends more comfortable about being them. And their handbags.
Are you SURE???

[Logan]

My dad deleted Firefox because he didn't like it. And he told me not to download it again. :(

[RedCydranth]

I use Moz and Strictly Moz. if I need IE I don't go to the site. IE is bad Mm'kay

Rye, I LOVE your Avatar. Napoleon Dynamite was the best flippin' movie ever. GOSH!

I am also in NY. Sweet!

"You know, there's like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bowstaff. "

[Meat Puppet]

Are you SURE???

Yeah. They were like "ACHTUNG! GET FIREFOX OR BE SHOT! " and I was like "bugger you'ns" and being all anti-conformist or whatever and they were like uuugggh and then I was like oh, internet explorer wont load any pages any more, presumably because some anti-microsoft-jealous wizkid decided to bomb my internert explorer.

[RSL]

Unless my computer blows up, I'm not switching to Firefox, because until then I don't see a reason, other than to get crappy results, and have the nice tabbed browsing feature.

I still don't understand why people are so damn concerned about what browser everyone else is using.

How are you getting crappy results? I'm just curious. And I doubt most people care what browser you use, really. I don't. I think it's nice to be informed about problems like this, but in the end, it's your choice.

But yeah, there really is no reason not to get Firefox.

[Raistlin]

But yeah, there really is no reason not to get Firefox.
I used IE for several years. I was originally a skeptic, as are most IE-users. After I actually tried out Firefox, I have never looked back. People don't switch back once they've given it an honest try.

IE sucks.

[Del Murder]

What do people have to gain by exploiting a secruity hole in IE to cause computers to crash?

[fire_of_avalon]

What do people have to gain by exploiting a secruity hole in IE to cause computers to crash?

To say they did it. *shrug*

[Del Murder]

As a status symbol? I don't get people anymore. Maybe I never did.

[DMKA]

How are you getting crappy results? I'm just curious. And I doubt most people care what browser you use, really. I don't. I think it's nice to be informed about problems like this, but in the end, it's your choice.

But yeah, there really is no reason not to get Firefox.
I'm going to open this same page in Firefox (yes, I have Firefox, but never use it) and I'm going to wait and start my stop watch and see how long it takes to load this page. Ready? Go....




3 minutes, 42 seconds.

Now with IE...




8 seconds.

It's like this with EVERY single page I visit...it loads slow as hell, even when I was on a 3MBPS LAN at my university dorm hall.

And then there's the problem with Java. Most crap that requires java refuses to function properly in Firefox.

Also, many webpages don't display properly, or as they were meant to in Firefox.

I just don't see a reason to switch and get all these crappy results when I can just go without the tabs and be free of all this crappiness.

Oh, and for the record, the first time I ever got viruses from web browsing was when I tired Firefox in my dorm hall. I never got them with IE. Ever.

[m4tt]

I tried firefox, I didn't like it. I won't go back to it unless, like DMKA said, my computer explodes.

[Citizen Bleys]

I tried firefox, I didn't like it. I won't go back to it unless, like DMKA said, my computer explodes.

So we'll pencil you in for next Tuesday.

[DMKA]

So we'll pencil you in for next Tuesday.
Oh, you mean the same time the EoFF main front site page will be done loading if I go to it now in Firefox? :)

[Leeza]

I'm going to open this same page in Firefox (yes, I have Firefox, but never use it) and I'm going to wait and start my stop watch and see how long it takes to load this page. Ready? Go....




3 minutes, 42 seconds.

Now with IE...




8 seconds.

4 seconds for me with Firefox.

[Del Murder]

I'll never change because I only go to 4 or 5 websites, all run by competent and trustworthy people.

[RSL]

Something is wrong with your computer if it takes 4 minutes to load a page. I've generally noticed equal if not faster loading times with Firefox.

But again, your choice.

[DMKA]

Something is wrong with your computer if it takes 4 minutes to load a page. I've generally noticed equal if not faster loading times with Firefox.
Then why does IE do okay? And also, why do other computers I've wittnessed the same activity on do it?

I think Firefox just pics what computers it wants to work with, like AMVAPP does, and that's crappy.

Like I said, when I get my new PC I'll try it and if it works as great as you people say then I'll use it because I like tabs. Until then, I'm not using the piece of crap.

What really bothers me though is how people continuously bash IE, but yet I've never encountered any of these problems with it but HAVE encountered them with Firefox (such as viruses from browsing). It's like I'm just the opposite.

[Loony BoB]

After reading that news update from PC World I have decided that this is the thread that will clearly convert all the IE users in the world over to Firefox once and for all, unlike the past fifty or so anti-IE / pro-Firefox threads which have been made at Eyes on Final Fantasy.

[Carnage]

If everyone gets firefox it will become the main target of hackers, virus makers, and nerds :( . Let the IE people stay where they are. I like not having spyware and virus's.

[Leeza]

Carnage has a point.

[Loony BoB]

Yeah! You guys owe me!

[Yamaneko]

I don't care if people get spyware/adware/viruses/or are victims of malicious code. :) Credit card stolen? Don't really care. Fifty thousand pop-ups? I don't blink an eye. Computer partition missing when you boot-up? Ha, you make me laugh! :) I'll even help you when you post in the Help forum that your computer is running like crap. :) Reformat and do it all over again. :) And thus the cycle of a computer user continues. :)

[RSL]

:) :)

Edit: I don't think people would be highly recommending firefox if pages loaded that slowly for them. I'm sorry, but I think the problem is your computer. But, if that is the case, then yes I'd stick with IE if I were you. Or format and reinstall Windows.

[m4tt]

Oh blah blah blah. I'll give it another shot. Nothing I can do about it at work though, not allowed to download other browsers because we're not even supposed to be on the internet enough to care.

[Dr Unne]

If everyone gets firefox it will become the main target of hackers, virus makers, and nerds :( . Let the IE people stay where they are. I like not having spyware and virus's.

Firefox can't run ActiveX, and doesn't do stupid things like auto-install programs without asking. So spyware probably isn't as much of an issue. Of course if you're really worried you can use Linux. Firefox might someday get enough users for someone to start wanting to write viruses, but Firefox on Linux probably has another decade or so before it reaches that point.

[Dingo Jellybean]

Mostly, people who have compromised systems from the result of browsing almost always:

a) Open an email/attachment from someone they don't know
b) Browse hentai/porn sites(there are a ton of spyware on these sites, because the programmers know people are perverts).

Avoid those 2 habits(you know who you folks are) and your chances of a compromised system happening drops by like, 99%.

[MoonsEcho]

I switched to Firefox from IE months ago and there has been a noticeable difference. It loads pages about the same or a tad faster than IE, and I haven't had ANY pop-ups, adware, spyware, or viruses since I did my last sweep, which was right after I got rid of IE and got Firefox. IE always gave me trouble.

I really don't know what's going on with it for you, DMKA. Must have a grudge against you O_o

[DMKA]

After reading that news update from PC World I have decided that this is the thread that will clearly convert all the IE users in the world over to Firefox once and for all, unlike the past fifty or so anti-IE / pro-Firefox threads which have been made at Eyes on Final Fantasy.
:p :<3:

And yeah MoonsEcho, I think it does.

And Carnage is right, all thats going to happen is once everyone switches to Firefox like people want them to for some reason, the hackers and such are just going to go after it.

But hey, you'll have your tabbed browsing and blocked popups, right? :D

[Rye]

Actually, you don't even NEED to use tabs. Just open multiple windows. That's what I do.

And thanks RedCydranth! Napoleon Dynamite and NY for life! :D

[DMKA]

Actually, you don't even NEED to use tabs. Just open multiple windows. That's what I do.
I know, but that's one of the things people are always pointing out, and it's the only thing I actually like about Firefox.

[Citizen Bleys]

Oh, you mean the same time the EoFF main front site page will be done loading if I go to it now in Firefox? :)


If it takes you more than 5 seconds to load the main page -- and you're on dial-up -- you need to see a tech to remove all of the viruses and spyware your computer is infested with because you use IE.

[DMKA]

If it takes you more than 5 seconds to load the main page -- and you're on dial-up -- you need to see a tech to remove all of the viruses and spyware your computer is infested with because you use IE.
I've reformatted several times, and it's the same way. It's not viruses, and it's definitely not spyware.

And if that was the case, I ask, for the billionth time, why the hell doesn't it affect IE with these problems?

[Baloki]

Firefox has a nasty problem with slower processors and XP's usage of RAM it seems. If your computer has a slow(-ish) processer and not much RAM (less then 512mb's when running XP) it seems to be obbsessivly slow. This is just from personal experiance as we all know how badly XP manages RAM and how well it manages clock cycles (or processor time).

So either get more RAM, a new computer or get one of those RAM cleary out things to wipe your RAM every so often, why doesn't it affect IE? Because IE has a special place in windows heart being intigrated and all so get priority treatment in the RAM and processor areas :)

Either that or of course Firefox copied your internet connection settings over incorrectly xD

[DMKA]

Well then, that explains it. I'm using a 566MHZ with 128MB RAM.

So I'll just have to wait till I get my new comp to reap these supposed benefits. :(

[Loony BoB]

The only reason I would ever change over is because of the security issues. I'd disable tabbed browsing (don't like it). The latest IE seems to have a popup stopper, too... well, the one at work seems to. "A popup has been blocked" etc. crap. But I use Panicware's popupstopper rather than an inbuilt one, I just like it better. Themes mean nothing to me - the only theme I've seen that I really liked is that one Unne designed. In conclusion, bananas are a great source of potassium.

[m4tt]

I can't even figure out HOW to use tabbed browsing, so I think I'll be avoiding that.

[DasaniWater]

I love Internet Explorer. There's nothing like opening up your browser to find twenty XXX porn toolbars pop up. Oh, what a delight they are to look at.

[Psychotic]

I use IE, and I've never had a virus or even a pop up (I used to have pop ups though, back in 2001).

I do have Firefox though. It just runs slower and scrolls slower than IE, and whenever I use it 4564596946 tabs come up because I like to press the little button in the middle of my mouse when scrolling down, it's a habit I have, nothing wrong with the browser, but it means it's not the right one for me. :)

[DMKA]

I use IE, and I've never had a virus or even a pop up (I used to have pop ups though, back in 2001).

I do have Firefox though. It just runs slower and scrolls slower than IE, and whenever I use it 4564596946 tabs come up because I like to press the little button in the middle of my mouse when scrolling down, it's a habit I have, nothing wrong with the browser, but it means it's not the right one for me. :)
OMG so your computer is broke just like mine! :eek: :love:

[edczxcvbnm]

I don't use Firefox...mainly because I don't care. I have virus protection programs and firewalls already so I feel safe enough. The rest of the situation is for me to not be a moron when browsing the net. Want to avoid 99.9% of spyware/viruses?

1) Don't visit porn sites
2) Don't visit Warez sites
3) Don't open or download e-mail attatchments from people you don't know

Follow those rules and you will be fairly safe. But because people can't follow these rules they get spyware and bitch like crazy. Every single time I have gotten spy ware it is because I did one of those things(number 2). It was my own fault.

If you have a good site to go to that you know is safe in catagories 1 and 2 then I guess you are safe.

I don't care if firefox loads faster because its fast enough for me already. The 2 seconds faster isn't going to make the difference. Instantanious loading will make the difference.

[Erdrick Holmes]

You can get spyware and some bad active X scripts from going to placeds like here or FG. What if there were raiders who put nasty scripts that cause viewers to download viruses and causes their computers to go bad?

[Citizen Bleys]

I never thought I'd say this, but I think the people at RPGW have grown up, and most other forums have too many mature people to permit forum raids

[DasaniWater]

1) Don't visit porn sites


It's so, so hard. :(

[mythus]

Believe it or not, any talented hacker could create websites that crash any surfing software, wheter it be IE, Firefox, Opera, Netscape... etc....

I myself prefer Avant. It's a real nifty explorer that works like an advanced version of IE.

[rubah]

dmka-- the what seems obvious to me answer.

Were you loading a page you'd loaded before in ie? if so==cache time!

I think I've about got my dad convinced to use firefox. It took about half an hour, which was mostly waiting on his computer that refused to connect faster than 12 kbps-_- and trying to get him to use the right terms. "I like to log on to msn." 'that's called running internet explorer, dad'

now to get him to get us dsl.

My deal with IE is that it's greedy. I have an iframe on my site (dodges thrown objects) and in firefox it never scrolls horizontally. (unless I've got an image that stretches it, which I don't:)) Whereas in internet explorer. NO VALUE that I put in would make it stop scrolling. I put it to like width=800 and it still scrolled:/

That's called bad programming and lack of w3 compliance. It's worth a lack of colored scrollbars. I think the scrollbars are pretty enough in ff without them being colored by people that can't match colors well:)

[Doomgaze]

If everyone gets firefox it will become the main target of hackers, virus makers, and nerds :( . Let the IE people stay where they are. I like not having spyware and virus's.

And there would be a patch in a day, not months. With open source you can't just pretend there's not a problem like Microsoft does :)

[DMKA]

Were you loading a page you'd loaded before in ie? if so==cache time!
Nope, I had just cleared my cache, cookies, and history beforehand in both browsers. Even so, IE has NEVER taken that long, or even near that long, to load a page.

And there would be a patch in a day, not months. With open source you can't just pretend there's not a problem like Microsoft does :)
Yeah, but if everyone starts using Firefox, I'm almost sure that will change...it's in it's early stage still, you people seem to keep forgetting. :)

[Lionx]

I got firefox and its really really good, i dumped IE in minutes Oo Tabbed Browsing rocks and just not as bad. The only prob is mouse wheels i aint used to from switch. Whether its new or not, it works now, at worst i just switch back to IE in the future, this works now damnit.

[Baloki]

dmka-- the what seems obvious to me answer.

Were you loading a page you'd loaded before in ie? if so==cache time!

I think I've about got my dad convinced to use firefox. It took about half an hour, which was mostly waiting on his computer that refused to connect faster than 12 kbps-_- and trying to get him to use the right terms. "I like to log on to msn." 'that's called running internet explorer, dad'

now to get him to get us dsl.

My deal with IE is that it's greedy. I have an iframe on my site (dodges thrown objects) and in firefox it never scrolls horizontally. (unless I've got an image that stretches it, which I don't:)) Whereas in internet explorer. NO VALUE that I put in would make it stop scrolling. I put it to like width=800 and it still scrolled:/

That's called bad programming and lack of w3 compliance. It's worth a lack of colored scrollbars. I think the scrollbars are pretty enough in ff without them being colored by people that can't match colors well:)

You need to know how to disable side scrolling:

style="overflow-x: hidden;"