If you are like most Internet users, you probably have a Windows computer and primarily use Internet Explorer to surf webpages. What make Internet Explorer so much more used than all the other browsers put together? There are two prominent likely reasons for this:

1. Internet Explorer is a part of the Windows operating system—which the majority of computer users have. It's readily available from the moment you first turn on your computer.
2. Many people who use the Internet are novice computer users. They don't know there are any other options other than Internet Explorer, and even if they did, downloading another browser would be an intimidating task.

Naturally, a percentage of IE users simply prefer it to any other browser. Here's a debate of IE against all the rest, based on research and the input of loyal browser users of both sides.

Argument: Internet Explorer is obviously the best because it's the biggest. If far more people are using IE than any other browser, then surely its creator, Microsoft, is doing something right. They have been around for a long time, which means they excel in experience, resources and background when it comes to computer programs and the Internet. When IE8 was released, experts said it was the safest browser. Also, since IE is the most used browser, every website, download, and web application is compatible with it. Technical support is more readily available for Internet Explorer than any other browser.

Rebuttal: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. There are more threats and viruses targeted toward Internet Explorer than any other browser. IE is the most used, so a virus on it would affect the most people. For this reason, many computer technicians and experienced Internet users steer clear of IE completely and recommend others to do so.

Argument: Internet Explorer works better with your computer. Most Internet users have a Windows computer, and IE is well integrated with their operating system. Not only is IE already installed and ready to use when you buy the computer, windows is designed to automatically update to newer versions of IE or add patches for IE and other windows components. This means that, with no effort on your part, IE will always be safe, updated, and in sync with your computer. How much more convenient can it be?

Rebuttal: Internet Explorer is too close. Every time Microsoft introduces a new product, there are bugs and issues to iron out. Many computer technicians actually recommend to wait a few months before downloading new versions of Internet Explorer for this reason. They also recommend creating a restore point and backing up important files in case upgrading to a new version of IE will cause the computer to crash! Many people have had major computer problems from trying to download IE8 or revert back to a previous version. This type of issue wouldn't happen with another browser, because they are simply downloads (not deeply integrated with your operating system) that can be easily installed and uninstalled.

Argument: Internet Explorer has features for everyone. The latest version, IE8, appeals to a variety of interests and needs. The address bar, favorites, add-on's, and other features have been expanded and introduced. Many of these features are already downloaded as a part of the browser to make them easy to find and quickly accessible. Other browser require for some features to be individually downloaded.

Rebuttal: Features are out of Internet Explorer's league. IE has a record of falling behind other browsers to introduce new features. Of the top most-used browsers today, IE7 was the last to implement tabbed browsing. IE8 was among the last to introduce features that standard to other browsers, like session restore, tab isolation, and private browsing. Also, since IE's features are largely built in, the download size is twice as large as other browsers.

Furthermore, the whole reason companies like Google, Mozilla, and Opera created their browsers is because one browser can't be best for everyone. There are features and gadgets available on Firefox and Opera that would confuse a beginner user, and create endless possibilities for advanced users. Chrome offers a simple approach that uses less features than any browser, but may also be much faster.

Conclusion: IE is great for people who just want to get online and don't want to (or know how to) download another browser. As long as Windows computers are popular, IE will probably continue to hold the majority market share, but other browsers will still be available for everyone who doesn't like IE. Thankfully, these alternatives are free to download, so anyone can try them out and perhaps find a browser that suits them better.

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Written by Hannah Miller, Online Marketing Representative and Customer Service, Copper.net.

Copper.net is a nationwide Internet services provider that is all-American owned and operated. Call today, 1-800-336-3318 or sign up online at www.copper.net! Check out my blog for more articles!

Opera is a proprietary software provider who has created a variety of tools for online users. The Internet browser is much like Internet Explorer, and serves the same purpose. But there are some significant differences that convinces a small number of Internet users to adopt this new browser in place of IE.

Opera has a great reputation for well-built products and their browser download is much smaller than Internet Explorer. Even on a dial-up connection, the Opera installation file can be downloaded in less than half an hour.

Opera beats Internet Explorer in a few areas where features are concerned:

* Visual tabs—you can drag the bottom of the row of tabs in your browsing window to change them to thumbnails of webpages. Also, when you hover over tabs with your mouse, a preview of the site appears under the tab.

* Tab bar placement. You can now move your row of tabs (or thumbnails of sites) the the left, right, or bottom of the browsing window.

* Speed dial—Opera was one of the first browsers to offer a page of thumbnails that function as a shortcuts to websites. You can now customize the number of thumbnails to 24 and change the background image on the page.

* Turbo mode—ideal for dial-up and low-speed wifi connections, this handy feature compresses images on the webpages for faster loading times! The turbo mode can be set to automatically turn on when the connection speed slows, or to stay on constantly.

* Mouse gestures—these shortcuts can be performed with your mouse to open links in new pages, go back, forward, or close windows with presets clicks and movements of your mouse.

* Image loading options—simply click a small button at the bottom of the window to switch from loading all images or only cached images to help with page loading. Or, if you prefer a more secure and even faster load time, images can be turned off completely. Also, right click on images that have been hidden or compressed, and you'll have the option of reloading that image normally.

You can find many other features that are similar to other browsers. Other simple preferences are available, like changing the colors and layout of your browser or adding your name and location information for fast form entry. The features page on the Opera website has more information.

Of course, Opera works toward speeding up page loading and protecting their users from dangerous websites and online threats. Opera has an advantage of not being very well known or used—unlike Internet Explorer. Virus and spamming attempts are often targeting the more well known browsers because more people are using them. You can download Opera or read more about their speed and security measures and techniques by going to Opera.com.

Opera may not be for everyone, but it is especially optimal for dial-up and other slow connection users who need a faster browser. It does look and work somewhat differently than Internet Explorer, so it's helpful to read up on how Opera's browser works and to check out all of the preferences as soon as you get it downloaded.

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Written by Hannah Miller, Online Marketing Representative and Customer Service, Copper.net.

Copper.net is a nationwide Internet services provider that is all-American owned and operated. Call today, 1-800-336-3318 or sign up online at www.copper.net! Check out my blog for more articles!

Mozilla Firefox, the second most popular Internet browser, is free to download and compatible to Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Firefox was one of the first browsers to have tabbed browsing, which has become standard for most browsers.

Firefox at first glance looks similar to Internet Explorer and is very easy to use. It features tabbed browsing, private browsing, history, and many options you would find on Internet Explorer. The following features are used on some other browsers but are worth mentioning. You will not find these features on Internet Explorer.

* Bookmarks, known on IE as “Favorites”, can be created with just one click on the star icon in the address bar.

* Tabs can be dragged into a separate window with your mouse.

* “Password Manager” offers to remember (or never remember) password information that you are entering on a website (also, instead of an intrusive pop-up like on other browsers, this feature displays briefly under the toolbars, in that way being more of a helpful option than an intrusive one).

* Links to downloads open the “Download manager” that displays your downloads' names and progress, and saves them for later reference. You can pause and restart downloads, and, when it is complete, simply double-click it from the list to run the installation.

Firefox is probably best known for having more than 6,000 customization options! Some of these features (known as add-ons) would be unavailable or automatically integrated on your Internet Explorer browser. The only problem with that is, if you don't want the features, they're download on the browser anyway. This is why Firefox is much faster to download—you can pick the options you want later!

These 6000 add-ons can be viewed from the Firefox homepage, or by using the Add-ons Manager in your Firefox browser. Sometimes Firefox will notify you when an add-ons is necessary to load certain parts of webpages. Most of the add-ons, however, are just fun or techy features that will change the look of your browser or add a cool accessory that could come in handy while surfing online. Here is a brief snippet of the wide variety of add-ons available for the Firefox browser:

• “Personas” are different “skins” for your Firefox browser. You can find thousands of themes celebrating your favorite music, movie, cause, etc! Change your skin everyday if you want!

• “Read it Later” is a great way to save a website, but not get it mixed in with your long-term bookmarks. You can access them offline, and check them off when you've read them.

• “WOT”--a.k.a. Websites Of Trust—this feature will help keep you safe from harmful websites.

• “Yoono” sidebar is a quick way to stay constantly updated on your social networking outlets, like Facebook, Twitter, and instant messaging.

Firefox is continually improving and increasing it's add-ons, as well as speed and security technology. Firefox 3.5.3, is faster and safer than before and is now available to download for free. You can read all about security and speed features and improvements, browse add-ons library, and download Firefox on your computer at firefox.com.

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Written by Hannah Miller, Online Marketing Representative and Customer Service, Copper.net.

Copper.net is a nationwide Internet services provider that is all-American owned and operated. Call today, 1-800-336-3318 or sign up online at www.copper.net! Check out my blog for more articles!