What Are Some Other Web Browsing Programs Besides Windows Explorer?
- A variety of ways to acces the web are available.internet world image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
Internet Explorer is not the only game in town for web surfers. This comes as good news to web enthusiasts who, for one reason or another, feel they have an issue with using Internet Explorer. Reasons for not wanting to use IE can range from simple aesthetics, to a desire for a product that's non-Microsoft. While the following list provides alternatives to IE, be aware that many alternative browsers still require Explorer to reside on the system in order to operate. This list is by no means exhaustive, as many new browsers are being developed every year, but these are a selection of the most popular non-Internet Explorer browsers. - A fast download, quick, smooth page loads, and an excellent marketing approach, has brought Google fame with it's newest browser: Google Chrome. Goggle Chrome offers unprecedented features with their browser. A short list of the features include include:
In-browser translation: When a page is in a language other than your preferences, Chrome will translate it into your language.
Omnibox: This feature offers the ability to search and navigate within the browser itself, simultaneously.
Browsing incognito: Like privacy? While using the incognito function, website visits don't show up in the history.
Customizable themes: Give your browser a look and feel you find pleasing.
Tabs stability: When multiple tabs are open and one crashes or freezes the other open tabs are unaffected. - The programmers at Mozilla have made a hit out of Firefox to such a degree that many sites now recommend users access their pages through Firefox. A fast browser in itself, Firefox allows users to set preferences for their use, that other browsers won't even offer. Thousands of tools and add-ons, within the browser itself help users personalize their browser, to the point of actually being fun.
Maybe the most loved feature is the "Awesome Bar." Once a site has been visited, simply typing in any part of the url, and the url/address bar will auto-populate. This makes finding a site much easier. Most of the features, tools, and add-ons to Firefox were developed by other users. - Opera offers a nice selection of features. In addition to the now-standard customizable skins and themes, Opera offers a few features that others don't. Mouse gestures: With certain movements of nothing more than your mouse, the Opera browser let's users navigate with often no more than a double-click, and sometimes even just a sudden move of the mouse. This feature can also be easily disabled.
Opera Turbo gives users on slow connections the ability to compress pages, via proxy servers, before they're downloaded onto your computer.
Page zoom let's users zoom in on images and text on the page, with their mouse and a click. This is quite handy to many visually-challenged users. - Developed by Apple Computers, Safari's claim to fame is it's usability on PC and Mac computers, as well as iPads and iPhones. In addition to being use-able regardless of platform, Safari offers some other interesting features:
Continuous reading: When facing a long article, users don't need to click through page after page. Safari accesses the entirety of the text.
One - click emailing: When you find a page worth sharing with others, Safari offers users the ability to share with nothing more than a click of the mouse on the envelope icon sends it off.
Undo close tab: Closing a tab by mistake is no problem when using Safari. Using "undo close tab" in the edit menu (or Control + Z/Command + Z) restores a tab you want re-opened.
Personal RSS clipping service: Rather than being fed more news than you ever wanted to know, Safari allows you to personalize what you're updated with. Sports, politics, science, anything you like, is what you'll get.
For website developers, there are a host of resources to make website development easier, all for free. If you surf as a part of your business, Safari makes for a helpful option.
