IE, Firefox, or Chrome – Which is best?* | Consumer as beta tester
I am frequently asked my opinion about web browsers: mainly, “which is best – Firefox or Chrome?” Yes, sometimes I am asked about IE or Opera too. Well.. what do you mean by “best”? And is your definition of “best” the same as mine? Fortunately, I don’t have to think too hard when I am asked, as web browsers all basically do the same thing –> show you websites.
I use Firefox as my “alternative” browser. And I have chosen it simply because of the many Add-ons available. If these “Add ons” were not available, I would not use Firefox. It’s that simple.
So, what Firefox Add-ons do I use? I’ll show you:
[addenda: I have recently added OptimizeGoogle (specifically to strip out the ads in Gmail) to my suite of defenses.]
With the exception of the Vimeo video capture-to-blog plug in, I would recommend this configuration. Why? Well, what do these things do? Look at them, and you’ll see that they are defenses – typically, blocking elements I do not want. And yes folks, your machine needs defenses on the Internet. (OK. The Java is not a defense. It’s a vulnerability.. see, Java, the new Adobe (+How To Protect Yourself).)
Adding Add-ons to Firefox is easy: click on the Tools menu, and then Add-ons. A window like the one pictured will open. In the upper left is the Get Add-ons button. Click it.
(If that seems like too many to you, I would say at a minimum you want NoScript, WOT, and Flashblock.)
* * *
Do you have a favorite TV show? Do you ever record movies?
I thought so. So I have a reading reco for you, a tutorial: How To Burn A Recorded TV Show in Windows Media Center
“Many people out there that have Windows Vista and Windows 7 based computers have never tapped into the Windows Media Center component that is right under their noses.”
* Orig post: 11/12/2010
Today’s reco’d read: Should we now expect to pay $500+ to be tablet beta-testers?
“Tablet makers continue to fall short of the Apple iPad and roll out buggy and incomplete tablet devices, at prices of $500 or more, and I am getting tired of it. Aren’t you?” Read More…
Today’s quote: “Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.” ~ Earl Wilson
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Enhance Google (Also Blocks Ads)
Firefox users will want to know about an Add-on I recently discovered and adopted.
Loyal readers know I hate ads. And they know I use Firefox. I use Firefox for the “Add-ons” (aka “plug-ins”) that give me additional security from cybercrime, enhance my privacy, and the ability to block advertisements — which I consider “musts” for a “better online experience”. (I wrote an article showing my “must have” Firefox Add-ons [and how to get them] here: Winners named, Browsers & Add-ons, Friday Fun.)
I just added to my list an add-on called OptimizeGoogle which, by simply checking a checkbox, tells your browser to automatically use the secure SSL (https://) when connecting to Google services (Gmail, Docs, etc.) and strips out the ads. (Woo Hoo!) Secure sign in and no ads – yup. That’s for me. It does more, too, but I’ll let you discover those things.
1) In Firefox, click on the Tools menu, then Add ons, then the Get Add-ons button.
2) Type OptimizeGoogle into the search pane. Then click on OptimizeGoogle then click Install.
You will need to restart Firefox to complete the installation.
3) Now, again, click on the Tools menu, then Add ons, then click on OptimizeGoogle to turn it blue (aka “select it”).
4) click the Options button.
5) place a check in the Block ads on all Google services checkbox, as shown.
Click OK and you’re done. (Unless you want to explore some of the other settings/options.. that is.)
Reminder: For the complete list of my “must have” Firefox Add-ons, [and how to get them] please see Winners named, Browsers & Add-ons, Friday Fun.
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<
Winners named, Browsers & Add-ons, Friday Fun
I am posting a bit of a hodge-podge mixed bag for your Friday, which I hope you’ll enjoy. There’s pictures, so you may have to scroll..
First, I am frequently asked my opinion about web browsers: mainly, “which is best – Firefox or Chrome?” Yes, sometimes I am asked about IE or Opera too. Well.. what do you mean by “best”? And is your definition of “best” the same as mine? Fortunately, I don’t have to think too hard when I am asked, as web browsers all basically do the same thing –> show you websites.
I use Firefox as my “alternative” browser. And I have chosen it simply because of the many Add-ons available. If these “Add ons” were not available, I would not use Firefox. It’s that simple.
So, what Firefox Add-ons do I use? I’ll show you:
With the exception of the Vimeo video capture-to-blog plug in, I would recommend this configuration. Why? Well, what do these things do? Look at them, and you’ll see that they are defenses, and yes folks, your machine needs defenses on the Internet. (OK. The Java is not a defense. It’s a vulnerability.. see, Java, the new Adobe (+How To Protect Yourself).)
Adding Add-ons to Firefox is easy: click on the Tools menu, and then Add-ons. A window like the one pictured will open. In the upper left is the Get Add-ons button. Click it.
(If that seems like too many to you, I would say at a minimum you want NoScript, WOT, and Flashblock.)
* * *
Do you have a favorite TV show? Do you ever record movies?
I thought so. So I have a reading reco for you, a tutorial: How To Burn A Recorded TV Show in Windows Media Center
“Many people out there that have Windows Vista and Windows 7 based computers have never tapped into the Windows Media Center component that is right under their noses.”
* * *
The folks at TuneUp Utilities generously donated 3 licenses, to me, of their ‘hot off the press’ newest release of TuneUp Utilities (aka “TU 2011″). I sincerely thank them for that. I generously offered them as prizes to you, Dear Reader, in Wednesday’s giveaway. Here are the winners.
Congratulations to:
Again, my thanks to the folks at TuneUp Utilities for making the giveaway possible!
(Winners, check your Inbox [and maybe your Junk folder] for the Subject TU2011 Winner)
* * *
Loyal readers know that I sometimes post Nigerian 419 (and other) scam emails — as a warning.. and because they often amuse me.
Yesterday, I saw an email with the Subject DID YOU AUTHORIZE DR GEORGE JEFFLEY TO PICK UP YOUR ATM CARD FOR YOU?
A slightly different tack from the usual.. but the rest looks vaguely familiar.
DID YOU AUTHORIZE DR GEORGE JEFFLEY TO PICK UP YOUR ATM CARD FOR YOU?
Friday, November 12, 2010 6:19 AM
From: “ATM CARD PAYMENT OFFICE” < info_cbn41@yahoo.in > <— Ha! India..
To: undisclosed-recipientsOFFICE OF NEW APPIONTED EXECUTIVE
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
ZARIA STREET, GARKI 11, ABUJA NIGERIA
P.M.B 0187, GARKI, ABUJA .ATM Card Beneficiary,
I wish to use this medium to inform you that your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE Part Payment of USD$2.3M (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) from CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA have been RELEASED and APPROVED for onward transfer to you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw all the USD$2.3M in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$40,000.00 Only.
We have mandated Skye Bank Nigeria Plc, to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw all your USD$2.3 Million Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$40,000.00 Only.
However, we received an email now from one Dr George Jeffley, who told us that you send him to come and pick up your ATM CARD for you.
He has also submitted his account for us to transfer your funds to him. Dr George Jeffley account co-ordinate is as stated below:
Bank: Bank of America
1121 N 205th St, Shoreline, Wa 98133
Bank routing number: 167000024
Bank account number: 3619672201
Account Holders name Dr George JeffleyWe want to know if you are the one that send him,but if you are not the person that send him You are therefore advice to contact the Head of ATM CARD Department Contact Person:
DR.ANTHONY AKA
E-mail:dranthonyaka47@gmail.comTell DR.ANTHONY AKA that you received a message from office of the director of ATM CARD International Credt Card Settlement department Skye Bank Nigeria Plc,instructing him to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw your USD$2.3Million Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, also send him your,
1. FULL NAME
2. FULL ADDRESS
3. PHONE AND FAX #(P.O BOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
4. YOUR AGE, SEX AND CURRENT OCCUPATION.
Please do keep this only to your self for now until the bank transfer your fund into your bank account.Yours faithfully.
Lamido Sanusi.
Executive Governor,
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
(Reply to: dranthonyaka47@gmail.com
Yes, Mr. or Ms. info_cbn41, somewhere in India, I’ll get right on this. Check your Inbox.
The weekend is almost here…
and how about some action? You did say you like movies? Like stunts? Jackie’s the man.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Why You Want WOT
WOT (Web Of Trust) is a web browser plug-in that uses easy to understand symbols…
.. that warns you about potentially dangerous websites and hyperlinks (through the use of a rating system that you can vote on). It integrates into most webmails as well, as shown here.
(I know you are too savvy to click links in such an obvious phish… but you should have seen the one mimicking Chase Bank I got the other day; it was a near perfect forgery. And Hotmail didn’t flag it, as they did this one.)
Find out more. Click here. (WOT is a free download.)
Copyright 2007-2010 © Tech Paul. All Rights Reserved. 
post to jaanix.
>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<
Firefox – Protecting Your Privacy Online
Yesterday I wrote an article telling you about Internet Explorer 8 and it’s InPrivate feature, which helps you protect your privacy (see, IE 8 – Protecting Your Privacy Online). It is only fitting and proper that I point out that Mozilla’s Firefox Web browser has a similar “privacy mode”.
Firefox 3.5’s privacy mode allows you to browse the Internet without Firefox retaining any of data about which sites and pages you have visited — aka your “browsing History. To turn it on, simply:
1) Click on “Tools”, and then “Options”.
2) Click on the Privacy tab and place a check in the “Automatically start..” checkbox.
3) Click on “OK”.
But to really protect your privacy online, you want stop websites and advertisers from tracking your online behavior — which they do mainly through the use of “cookies”. Firefox has several plug-in tools for doing this (called “Add ons”) which makes it my top choice of browsers.
Mozilla has assembled a very nice page – a collection of security Add ons that I highly reco’ you take advantage of. (That page is here.) Be sure to scroll down a bit too, to see the more complete list.
Tech Paul’s Recommended Add ons: I always add the following plug-in Add ons to every installation of Firefox I set up. (On the page mentioned above, you will see all but one. So I made the Flashblock ‘click-able’)
* NoScript
* AdBlock Plus
* Flashblock
* BetterPrivacy
* WOT
I also take advantage of other Firefox Add ons (there’s a billion to choose from) but those are my ‘stock’, must-haves. Be safer, and foil the snoops online; arm your copy of Firefox with these features too.
To read my other articles on troublesooting, and/or using Firefox, click here.
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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