Just like everyone else, I grew up (since the internet started in the early 90's) using Internet Explorer. This was fine. I didn't know any better, didn't know any different. For many years there was nothing different. So I blithely went along with IE until I very slowly and somewhat reluctantly (I am a rare early adopter) made the switch to Firefox while in seminary, around 2003 I believe. I don't even think I had seen it until one of my roommates showed me the light.
Since then, I love Firefox. I have loved how far superior it is to IE for so long, and all the add-ons and customization. It's been a wonderful 6 years together so far, it really has.However, lately, Firefox has been letting me down. It uses so much RAM, even for a single tab, that it will at times force me to shut it down just to clear some room for the next page. But that is not even the worst part. Now, every time I load the browser, for about 2 and a half minutes it completely hogs all CPU, virtually making the computer unusable, after which it runs normal - which is to say it slowly uses all the other resources. I have tried just about everything for these issues, even completely wiping my install and starting over with no add-ons... no dice.
I got so frustrated with Firefox that I even tried making the switch back to IE with their new piece of garbage, IE8. It started out OK, until of course it never worked. 7 out of 10 times it would simply refuse to connect to a server. Had a headache or something I guess... whatever, that got tired real quick and IE8 was kicked to the curb with its garbage predecessor.
I was so desparate, I even downloaded SAFARI, and I am an avowed MAC hater... this shows how bad things had truly gotten. But I must say that Safari, for being all Mac and crap, was not terrible. It was definitely NOT the fastest broswer, as advertised, but apart from it's poor layout, (which for mac users is probably home) it got the job done. But I just couldn't stomach using it... I barely kept lunch down installing the thing...
Enter my knight in shining armor... Goggle Chrome.
I never would have guessed it, but this has been the best upgrade I could have asked for. It runs on almost no RAM (like 30K for each instance or tab, not bad at all). It uses very little CPU, even to render heavy pages. It's fast. It is by far the best browser I have used to date. I have to give great thanks and kudos to my brother from another mother Aron for pointing me in this direction. So far it is the clear winner. All the best add-ons I would need to install on Firefox are already in Chrome without the extra weight. When you're not using it, it basically doesn't exist as far as your computer is concerned. It's been a great experience so far and I am almost completely on board the Google gravytrain. I recommend you jump on for a ride!But now, Firefox has release 3.5 .... What to do?
I will have to download it and give it a test drive, but it will be hard pressed, even after 6 years of loving companionship, to get me to come back at this point. Hard pressed indeed.
5 comments:
Glad to help, G. But let me state, for the record, I am an avid, ardent, committed FIREFOX user. I've tried Chrome, and liked it, but there are just too many add-ons and features in Firefox that I've come to rely on to make the switch. Though there do seem to be some pretty strong arguments for doing so.
Glad you've found your new home. Check out the decent host of keyboard shortcuts to make your browsing experience uber-efficient.
AG
...and fwiw, most of that loyalty to FF is due to the find-as-you-type feature. Typing to jump to links on a page is a huge time-saver. I hate pushing a mouse around, and it's hard to beat mouseless browsing...
i just downloaded FF3.5 (i'm a late adopter, what can i say?) and it's WAY faster than 3.0 already. unless you've sold your soul to google (they already own all your other personal information, why not give them your browser loyalty, too?), i'd give it another shot.
Joel - yes, 3.5 is definitely faster than 3.0, undoubtedly. But it still can't hold a candle to Chrome.
Even Aron (who posted above) the loyal FireFox user, has almost completely jumped on the chrome bandwagon. It's just better.
Check out the "strong arguments" link above. It explains it all - its not just another browser.
Based on how this browser works, I am completely drooling over the upcoming Chrome OS... absolutely drooling in anticipation. If it is even half as superior as the browser is to IE, I will likely drop windows in a heartbeat.
They just know what they are doing...
yup, they do know what they are doing.....trying to take over the world one computer at a time.
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