For users who dislike Internet Explorer, a common alternative is Mozilla’s Firefox, a streamlined and speedy browser that offers a user-friendly interface among other advantages. However, with the entrance of Microsoft’s stunning new browser, Edge, the lifespan of the fiery orange fox may have been significantly shortened.
The Open Letter
The CEO of Mozilla, Chris Beard, apparently sees Edge as a threat to Firefox, because he sent an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. He claims that Windows 10 confines users, giving them fewer choices and making it difficult for them to have the experience they desire, rather than the experience Microsoft intends for them to have.
Windows 10 is currently available for free to Windows 7 and 8 users. When people do the upgrade, the Edge browser is set as the default. The process does not include a step where users can choose their preferred browser. This apparent lack of flexibility is what offends Mozilla CEO Chris Beard, since it appears to force the Edge experience onto the new Windows 10 user.
The Response
Microsoft claims that users can switch to a different default browser anytime they like, including popular choices such as Chrome and Firefox. The company defends its decision not to include browser choice as one of the steps in the upgrade process, citing their desire to make the upgrade as quick and simple as possible.
The Comparison
Is Edge really such an amazing browser that Mozilla is terrified of users trying it out? Experts and reviewers have been testing and comparing browsers, with some interesting results. Using the Peacekeeper benchmark and Speed-Battle, one tester saw Firefox outstrip Chrome and Edge. However, when testing page load times, Edge defeated the other two easily. For practical speed and performance, Edge does indeed rank the highest among the three big ones.
For sheer user-friendliness with a helpful layout, Firefox ranks first. However, Chrome wins out when it comes to special features, support, and extensibility. Edge lacks the right-click options that other browsers include, while Chrome fails to offer a sharing option integrated into its system, instead forcing users to make use of extensions, bookmarklets, or widgets.
The Bottom Line
What’s the verdict? Each of these “Big Three” browsers include helpful features, and their variety doesn’t make any one of them a poor choice. Each one caters to a different set of internet users with their own specific likes and dislikes. Try out all three options to discover your personal favorite.
I use Kaspersky Pure for security on my laptop, and it keeps telling me that Chrome is high risk. I have changed to Dolphin on my tablet but would like to know why Chrome has lost its status as a safe browser.
Interesting. Not sure why Chrome would suddenly be high risk. I don’t particularly like Chrome but don’t think it would be a security threat. Unless your version of Chrome is outdated. Have you tried to update your version of Chrome?
My friends say I hate change, this isn’t true. I hate needless change. I quit on FF when they took the control away from me for tabs on the bottom. It seems like a small thing but it was enough for me to give up a PROGRAM I have been using for over a decade. SeaMonkey, Ice Dragon or Palemoon. All are better options. KDE has a decent browser if you use Linux.
There is something wrong going on when I could easily navigate QDOS, MSDOS and even Unix but find less and less control and integration issues with anything in the last 10 years. All they want to do is take over your PC spy on you and dumb down the GUI. I don’t need a nerdy every little widget control, but I would like to have an idea of what my stuff is doing in front and behind the scenes.
As a once early adopter I am becoming a ludite more and more each year. Smart Phones have pushed me over the edge and I finally went back to BlackBerry when the ‘classic’ came out. I don’t need no apps, just a good phone for typing, browsing, emails and text. Sure I use the odd app like my guitar tuner or a flashlight, but my phone doesn’t have to do the hokey pokey for me to satisfied with it.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Mike!
I use my computer for work and school. I miss the ease of windows 7 and good ol’ fashioned IE.
I don’t want apps on my computer… I don’t game. Apps are for tablets and phones.
The internet isn’t fun any more and I feel I’ve lost control regardless of which browser I use. I want my toolbars back. I want “File” “Edit” and so on in the top left. I want my “Search this page” option. I want my browser to dump all history, temp internet files and cookies every single time I close the browser.
I want my un cluttered start button which Lists my programs… in a list!!! that I can select from.
I hate Microsoft and I want their house to burn down!
Google Chrome is the equivalent of Malware but the next best option…
And Firefox sucks bunky balls… So what the hell is going on here? Why is every PC based ios, software and computer manufacturer trying to reinvent the wheel and become Apple/Mac?
What happened to doing work on a computer and not being constantly bombarded with Apps which are really advertisements?
Bottom Line – I bought my laptop one year ago with windows 8. Can I load windows 7 on a windows 8 computer… over ride everything and live the remainder of my life in the past?
I agree that it does get very frustrating to adapt to all these changes. It’s like re-learning a program every time they update it.