Just downloaded Firefox

Exit

(This seems to be the right forum)

I wanna see what all the talk is about.

I've been an IE user forever, so can anyone tell me anything I need to do during this crossover period? (I'm just doing a trial run at the moment) Is there anything I need to download, any settings I need to change? I just use the net for browsing and some music downloading, no games or anything else. Basically, I'm just the average net user, don't know too much about the inner workings.

So far, I don't think there's been much difference in speeds (I've only been using boards) and I've noticed the window freezing for a second when I open something in a new tab. Also, the dropdown menus at the top of boards are wonky. They open an inch or so away from where they're supposed to open. Is this a problem with boards, as it has only happened using the minimalist theme, and not the default theme.

Also, is there any way to stop the 'this is not your default browser' thing from popping up every time I open firefox without actually changing it to my default? Other people use this computer, and would prefer to use IE.

Any help and discussion on the pros/cons of Firefox over IE would be welcome.

qBot

I don't think there is much to do really cept download the plugins like flash, java, acrobat reader, quicktime etc. It's usually just the case of reinstalling these programs as they usually pick up firefox once u do. Although flash can be downloaded as an individual FireFox (mozilla) installer.
I don't know much about the default browser thing sorry.

Exit

Thanks. I didn't even know I had to download new plug-ins. Luckily, there's a plug-in FAQ in the toolbar.

The default thing seems to have stopped now.

krattapopov

i like it mainly because it stops pop ups and tabs are neato

qBot

Originally posted by krattapopov
i like it mainly because it stops pop ups and tabs are neato

Supposedly nvidia's new drivers contain an anti-popup plugin for IE. Any one tried it?

U can't beat tabs though. Too messy otherwise.

Dun

Get yourself a couple of extensions. I highly recommend Adblock (after using it for a while, you rarely see any graphical/flash ads on sites you regularly visit) and All-in-one gestures - let's you control the browser by right-clicking and drawing gestures. I first used them in Opera, so when I changed to Firefox, it was great to be able to use them.

I also use Tabbrowser Preferences to keep new pages opening in tabs rather than seperate windows. Tabbrowser Extensions does a lot more cool stuff, but I always found it had its niggles, and worst of all slowed Firefox down.

D

Also if you go to the tips and tricks section of there webpage, there is a small script that you can copy/paste into your user file that completely stops >99% of adds from loading, it works better than addblock. It really speeds up browsing. Plus you hardly pick up any spyware. When I used IE and ran Ad-Aware it used to pick up loads of tracking cookies, but with Firefox I don't get any. Also the inbuilt downloader is much better allowing resuming plus it points towards any temporary files, in the tempoary folder so you can keep them, also you are not limited to 2 downloads, although you can switch that off in IE.

Cabaal

I would highly suggest that you get adblock for firefox
Best ad-on for it every
see url in my sig

qBot

Originally posted by D
Also if you go to the tips and tricks section of there webpage, there is a small script that you can copy/paste into your user file that completely stops >99% of adds from loading, it works better than addblock. It really speeds up browsing. Plus you hardly pick up any spyware. When I used IE and ran Ad-Aware it used to pick up loads of tracking cookies, but with Firefox I don't get any. Also the inbuilt downloader is much better allowing resuming plus it points towards any temporary files, in the tempoary folder so you can keep them, also you are not limited to 2 downloads, although you can switch that off in IE.

OMG, that script is brilliant. I didn't think u could do anything like that with FireFox.:D

Exit

Thanks lads. I've done everything you've suggested. Best so far is being able to have everything open in new tabs rather than new windows.

Not sure how ad-block works though.

RobertFoster

Originally posted by Cabaal
I would highly suggest that you get adblock for firefox

I just got it, but now the nav at the top of boards, the menu - it's no longer there. any way to filter what it filters

Cabaal

Originally posted by RobertFoster
I just got it, but now the nav at the top of boards, the menu - it's no longer there. any way to filter what it filters

In firefox
Go to Tools > Adblock > Prefs
Select remove adverts
and just ad loads of filters

Generally what I do is just have the following items which will not affect the general usage of a site (boards.ie for example)

*/banner/*
*/banners/*
*/ads/*
*/adverts/*
*/adimage/*
*/adimages/*
*/adimage/php*
*/ads.cgi*
http://ad.doubleclick.net/*
http://www.ads.com.com/*
http://ads.web.aol.com/*
http://www.ad.tomshardware.com/*
http://au.i1.yimg.com/*
http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/*
http://ads.osdn.com/*


You get the idea
Obviously don't go to mad with the wildcards or you won't see any images on any sites but there dam useful

RobertFoster

cheers, I just managed to sort it myself

I'll add those filters too