http://www.mozilla.org/projects/firebird/ I was surfing the net, and i came accross this new browser called " Firebird " i hear some pretty cool things about it one being that its faster and more secure..... i just downloaded it ,i did some test, heres what i think so far: 1) i did the same speed test with IE and firebird and IE beat firebird by 100 kbps both upload and download, tried it 3 times, got the same result internet explorer wins this test 2) i cleared the catch for both browsers , and visited the same exact websites to see which seemed to load faster, there both almost the same, if i had to pick it would be firebird cause it did seem to load them faster. Firebird wins this test 3) downloaded the same exact file from the same location with both browsers and with IE got way better speeds. Internet explorer wins this test 4) Firebird claims to be way more secure then what IE is, and i do believe that cause if IE was so secure why do we have to install all these god damn patchs every month, which can get very annoying, so as far as security, Firebird wins this test 5) i restarted my computer and then launched IE then closed it and launched Firebird to see how fast they both launch , IE was way faster , Internet explorer wins this test 6) As far as support for java and flash , both dont support java on their own, you have to download it seperatly , but IE stilll seems more convinient , with IE u dont really have to go out of your way to get plug in's so , Internet explorer wins this test 7) As far the Interface, i like Firebirds better , you can make IE kind of look like Firebird by downloading the google toolbar, but why go out of your way when Firebird has it, firebird also has tab's and supports skins, Firebird wins this comparison 8) visited the same site with a java applet with both browsers, to see which loads java applets faster, and i have to say firebird was way faster. Firebird wins this test Some Final Notes -------------------------- Right now Firebird is my default browser , but that might change very soon, the thing is IE loads faster when i launch it which is very important , also im a speed feak, i love as much speed as possible, IE seems to be faster when download files, and in the speed test, another thing is , theres so much software that you can use with IE but not the other browsers, like download accelerator, when i right click on a file in IE it has an option where i can download that file with download accelerator, Firebird deosent have that, its a feature i use all the time, also right now as i speak the XPW banner is right on this box, Firebird sometimes dosent display websites right.when i put in a link with this format into firebird http://username:password@www.somewebsite.com firebird still gave me dialog to put in the username and password, which really pissed me off, Im not sure yet what i will do , but im thinking about it , i thought maybe some of you could download it and post some of your opinions. anyways try it out and let us all know what you think

I use IE, Mozilla, and Firebird, which is really a slimmed down Mozilla. Here's my take: 1. Interface. Firebird gets it because it just looks nicer. 2. Ease of use. Tie, when dealing with enabling/disabling java, javascript, and cookies, both have the need to go through a lot of buttons to get to where you need to be. 3. Speed. IE gets this hands down. Why, not because the browser itself is faster, but because almost all websites were designed for IE, hence the faster loading times. This is the reason Java has a hard time with many many websites, the alternative browsers, Mozilla, Opera, and Firebird, do better with Sun's version of Java, while most websites were designed to work with the Microsoft version. Games that you can play online at websites are almost useless with anything but IE because of this. 4. Security. Firebird gets this one. But, don't let that fool you into thinking it is very very secure while IE is extremely unsecure. The reason Firebird is more secure is because no one has found an exploit yet. That doesn't mean there isn't one. Remember, humans make software. On another security note guys, the lack of really good security in IE is caused by us a lot more than by Microsoft. Yes, I see a fight coming, but hear me out. Almost all exploits are carried out via scripting methods. We all know there are ways to set the security levels in IE or disable them alltogether. Just as Microsoft needs to put more effort into security, so should we. Most of us know good and well by now that we should block most Active-X scripting and third-party cookies. Yes, it's Microsoft's fault, but most people get spyware and all that because they don't know how to deal with what they have. Until Microsoft can make a more secure browser out of the box so to speak, we have to secure it ourselves. No more excuses, secure your browser or suffer the consequences. If you don't know how, spend about an hour in these forums, you will know how, and a lot more too. Stop getting mad at Bill Gates and start taking some responsibility to help yourself. It looks like Microsoft is coming around, but for now we have what we have. Ok, I'm leaving the soapbox, back to Firebird Vs IE. All in all, I have to give it to IE. Yes, Firebird may seem faster at times, but it's at a cost, the amount of websites you can view properly (Though both Mozilla and Firebird accomplish this much better than Opera). I say if you don't want to be bothered by securing your browser (which is plain lazy and not very computer-loving like, in my opinion), then go for an alternative browser. Otherwise it all boils down to looks and certain features, which is a matter of personal taste and nothing else. Ok, start firing away at me, I'm a big boy, I can take it :-)

I'm bored as hell so.... 1: 100 kbps is nothing 2: gecko engine i would bet. 3: depends on the server i would try an ftp transfer use large files. 4: You just never know what might happen online. 5: IE loads at boot time useing up recources always. Firebird loads and unloads when you tell it to. 6: If the site is designed properly there should be a link to the proper plugin. 7:again gecko i would bet. next guy... 3. Speed. IE gets this hands down. Why, not because the browser itself is faster, but because almost all websites were designed for IE, hence the faster loading times. I need to respond to this. Microsoft has decided to forget about the syn/ack/syn/ack with ISS/explorer. they send a "special" packet cuts out the server sending back the ack.. i forget exactly how this works its been a while and i smoke a lot of pot...But basicly its a cheat and not tcp standard. as far a secure i have to fight my machine everyday to keep it locked down... and on IE displaying properly and firebird not...uh its the other way around IE will display any f---ed up code. Mozilla/firebird displays it right and in some cases "right" looks messed up. So whatever I'm scared of IE and never use it. I only wish i couls uninstall it.....

Hi, if you are talking about IE displaying an improperly coded website, then how is it that Mozilla "makes it right"? An improperly coded website is an improperly coded website no matter which browser you use. It will looked screwed up regardless. If that isn't what you meant please excuse my lack of knowledge in the coding area. As far as security goes, yeah, I have to keep all of my "prevention tools" updated, but it doesn't take much time and I'm learning a lot from having to do all this. I don't mind going through it if I learn why I'm having to and how to do it right. I wouldn't be scared of IE, I'd be scared of the ones who can use it against you and even they aren't invinceable.

With me, my computer comes first; in the "history" of IE, it NEVER was written for " pop up blocking" Like cookies, these pop ups, can obtain your IP address, and put you on a list. I used to use IE; the time has come to recognize what Firebird HAS; security for your OS. With IE, you must install a third party "pop up blocker"Very dumb not to have this feature from the start. My tests reveal that Firebird wins in most of what I have put it through. One CAN ARGUE AND BE RIGHT that websites may come in better using IE because of structure, but wait a minute; Firebird is new, most websites are newly written; having said that, then Firebird can handle the "newly written websites" as IE did. Bottom line, if you want your computer to be vulnerable, use IE, but if you use the web, surf, buy, research think about your postings; you might find that you are "simply not used to" Firebird, and use IE out of habit Robert Patrick

I was a Netscape junky for 6 years, then switched to IE for six months, and then Opera for a year, but now I'm happily using Firebird. This browser is a little slice of heaven. Anyways, go to : http://www.litepc.com/download.html and download IEradicator. This will uninstall internet explorer for most versions of Windows. /bill

I liked this older (12/5-15) discussion a bit, but wanted to point out that there was not enough mention (I don't think ANY!) of this: Firebird is still in BETA. IE is on, what is it now? 6 or 7? Anyway, for free (looking at you Opera!), unfinished software I think it's excellent. And if you feel it's been in beta too long then I disagree and think even 2 years would be acceptable if the final release is stable. IMO, the best browsing I've done yet is with Firebird; AND IE is always there ready to go in a pinch.