SillyDog701

[James]

I disagree that Chrome's GUI is "dumbed" down. It's a minimalist interface having only the basics (a tab bar, an address field that doubles as a search field, back/forward/reload button and a couple of drop down menu buttons). The result, as PCWorld put it, is a "browser that's slick, speedy and responsive."

I also like the arrangement of tabs (and evidently FF does too since version 4 will present tabs in such a manner). Again from PCWorld: "tabbed browsing is presented in a thoughtful manner. The tabs sit above everything else on the page, which makes for a logical flow of information in the window. As you open pages, the tabs shrink to fit the available space; and as you close tabs, they grow again."

Dumbed down perhaps in the eye of the beholder but not for millions of users who think otherwise.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US) AppleWebKit/533.4 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/5.0.375.127 Safari/533.4

[DJGM]

I believe a minimalist interface with only the basics is best restricted to mobile devices, netbooks,
and public internet kiosks. Browsers for the desktop should have a full GUI. While you might not
agree with my "dumbing down" view, another way of looking at it is "style over substance".

I prefer to have all options available to me, within easy reach using a standard GUI layout with a
menu bar, as opposed to a small subset of select options hidden behind some obscure buttons.

Having said that, I wouldn't mind too much if SeaMonkey did in some comparatively limited way
head down the streamlined GUI route, as long as it was optional, and not enabled by default.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 (like Firefox/3.5.x) SeaMonkey/2.0.6

[James]

Different strokes, Greg.

Have a good one.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US) AppleWebKit/533.4 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/5.0.375.127 Safari/533.4

[DJGM]

True, and thanks.

Of course, if Chromium had a more customisable interface, in that it starts from the simplified basic
layout, and it was possible to add or remove elements of the GUI to your heart's content, then finish
up with a browser tailored to one's personal preferences, I might reconsider using it.

I don't see why it can't be done anyway, especially since Chromium is open source, I'm sure there are
at least a few clever folk who could come up with a fully customisable browser based on Chromium.

I have to say, even the default layout and theme on SeaMonkey itself is a bit ... meh! I personally
can't properly use a fresh install of SeaMonkey in it's vanilla form. I have to install some themes
and my favourite add-ons before it's good to go. So much so, I've compiled an XPI file with my
favourite themes and add-ons, so I can install them all in one go, rather then running round
the Mozilla add-ons site and some other sites, to install them all manually.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 (like Firefox/3.5.x) SeaMonkey/2.0.6

[Anonymosity]

I like Firefox. It is still the best for me. Opera on Windows comes close, but is not quite as good.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X; rv:1.9.2.8) Gecko Firefox/3.6.8

[DJGM]

Opera is another good choice, although I don't really use the actual browser component of it. I have it
installed mainly for the OperaUnite feature, as a relatively lightweight personal web server. It's ideal
for hosting webpages and files. The only downside is having to leave a PC on 24/7 to run it.

For many people, that's probably not ideal, especially if you're highly concerned about saving energy,
but if the PC (or Mac if you prefer) in question isn't a high spec powerful monster of a system, and
doesn't use much energy overall, it's fine. Certainly saves having to upload files to a third party
web hosting server for which you have to pay a monthly or annual subscription.

It's especially useful for posting various screengrabs and other relevant images on forums and blogs,
like this spoof newspaper front page article I made earlier this year and posted on another forum.






(I just noticed something this is my 4444th post! All the fours! May the fours be with you!)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 (like Firefox/3.5.x) SeaMonkey/2.0.6

[richard mitnick]

I finally solved a big problem with SeaMonkey, I got the about:config line to make SeaMonkey "appear" to web sites as FF. this cleared up a problem on a music site.

But, I tried to install the tabx.xpi to get the close tab feature on tabs where it belongs, and no go, it was not fooled.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.2.8) Gecko/20100722 Firefox/3.6.8 ImageShackToolbar/5.2.4 ( .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0C)

[DJGM]

If your mouse has a scroll wheel, use it to middle-click on a tab to close it.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 (like Firefox/3.5.x) SeaMonkey/2.0.6

[richard mitnick]

Thanks for the scroll wheel tip.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.2.8) Gecko/20100722 Firefox/3.6.8 ImageShackToolbar/5.2.4 ( .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0C)

[richard mitnick]

That scroll wheel tip just hit the spot. We grow too soon old and too late smart.

Thanks again.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 SeaMonkey/2.0.6 Firefox/3.6.8

[Mandrake]

I personally hate having the tabs at the very top of the browser window. Thankfully, in Firefox 4, it's a very easy to change this (untick 'tabs on top' from the view -> toolbars menu).

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:2.0b4) Gecko/20100818 Firefox/4.0b4

[richard mitnick]

I am giving SM another shot. The scroll wheel click and the addition of one line in about:config (which I am in principle against, but in all practicality it makes things work) made a big difference.

I am bring bookmarks up to date. This is still klutzy, unless someone has another bit of help. When one bookmarks in FF, one gets a dialogue box for a folder. Not so with SM. It just dumps it at the bottom of the list of loose bookmarks. Then, go get it, rename it if necessary, and move it. I mean, one only needs to do it once for any one bookmark, but, these days, people resent even one extra click.

Once its all in place, I really enjoy SM. That form bookmarklet is a real help for people like me who do not want to type in the same user id and password over and over.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 SeaMonkey/2.0.6 Firefox/3.6.8

[James]

Just upgraded to Chrome 6. If anything, it's even sleeker and faster than before. This thing just keeps getting better. Plus, with the extension for my Gmail, it's even easier to access my mail account. If you've never taken a look at Chrome, now might be as good a time as any.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.3 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/6.0.472.53 Safari/534.3

[richard mitnick]

James-

How is Chrome with updating? I understand that it updates silently in the background. but, I use Secunia for scanning programs for necessary updates, Chrome generally is not updating, I have do basically do a re-install.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.11) Gecko/20100701 SeaMonkey/2.0.6 Firefox/3.6.8

[James]

James-

How is Chrome with updating? I understand that it updates silently in the background. but, I use Secunia for scanning programs for necessary updates, Chrome generally is not updating, I have do basically do a re-install.

>>RSM

Hi Richard.

That's not been my experience so far, Richard. I had to manually update Chrome by going to Help/About Chrome and hitting the Update button (much like I do for FF). I did not re-install; it simply updated to the latest version. I absolutely love this browser (as you can tell) and I love the way I can check my gmail account so easily. Plus... it accepts the major extensions I require (Lastpass and Ad-block Plus). Honestly, I couldn't ask for more.

BTW... if you want to hear a great security interview on privacy leakage, check out TWIT.com and the Aug.3st interview with Steve Gibson on side channel issues. It's about an hour and a half but a well worthwhile listen.

All the best.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.3 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/6.0.472.53 Safari/534.3