This is a continuation from my first post, Think Before You Browse, in which I introduced the importance of selecting the right browser.  Now while the browser in which you conduct your web surfing may not matter to you much, it is important to choose a web browser that fits your needs.  Many people that own a PC use Internet Explorer by default, while those who run Macs use Safari by default, meaning that is the browser that is already on your computer.  The browser in which you access the Internet can affect your Internet experience, in which case it is important to browse for your browser.  Here is a brief review of some different browsers.

Lets look at seven different browsers:

Safari 4.0.3 for Mac OS X, Windows
Flock 2.5 for Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
Arora 0.10.1 for Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
Firefox 3.5.3 for Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
Opera 10 for Mac OS X, Linux, Windows
Chrome for Windows
Internet Explorer (IE) 8 for Windows

Safari 4.0.3 for Mac OS X and Windows
If you purchase an Apple computer you will have Safari installed as your default browser.  Safari tops my list of best overall browser to run on Mac OS X.  It loads pages quickly and runs flash with no problem.  One of its best and new features is Top Sites.  This feature shows the 12 most visited sites all on one page so you can easily access your favorite page.  Cover flow has also come to Safari with its history viewing.  You are able to quickly flow through pages of your history just like flipping through album covers in iTunes, a great way to visually see your page history.  If you are doing some serious Web browsing, then Safari is the browser you need.

Flock 2.5 for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows
If you are into social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter then Flock is for you.  This screenshot shows how you can browse the Internet while staying connected to Facebook, Twitter, Bebo and more.  Unlike other browsers, Flock allows you to visit other Web pages while keeping Facebook Chat up at all times.  On the left hand side you can see that I have Twitter and Facebook both open.  All I have to do is click the tab on the top and it will switch back and forth so I never miss a beat while I browse the Internet.  On the performance side, Flock struggles.  Flock becomes slow when multiple tabs are open and loading times are slower than other browsers.  If you are looking to get serious work done on the Internet then I suggest a different browser, but if you are looking for your social networking fix then this browser is great.

Arora 0.10.1 for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows
Now while this browser is still in beta and is very buggy, it shows some promise.  What separates this browser from others is it blocks ads on the sites that you visit.  This screenshot shows The Dallas Morning News homepage using Safari 4.  You will see banner ads on top and on the left side.  This screenshot shows how The Dallas Morning News homepage would show while using Arora.  As you can see the top and left side banner ads do not show.  In this screenshot I have Safari running while searching for ‘coffee makers’ using Google.  Sponsored Links show at the top of the search results as well on the right hand side.  A screenshot of the same search on Google but with Arora shows no Sponsored Links at the top and on the right hand side.  If advertisements are bugging you while you surf the Internet then you might want to keep tabs on Arora and its development.  I do not suggest using Arora at this time because of the stage of development it is in, but once it comes out in a full release keep Arora in the back of your mind.

Firefox 3.5.3 for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows
Firefox has become a major competitor to Internet Explorer with Windows users.  Firefox is the second most popular web browser with Windows users, behind Internet Explorer.  Firefox gives users a clean, safe, and fast browsing experience.  Some users have experienced problems with running video in Firefox 3.5, but I have yet to run into that problem.  Firefox is also a popular choice among Mac users who do not wish to use Safari.  Firefox has many add-ons in which the user can customize their browser their way.  Firefox does have its share of crashes and loading problems, but is still a step above Internet Explorer.

Opera 10 for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows
Opera Turbo quickly loads Web pages even if you are battling a slow connection.  Opera also has a feature that allows users to preview tabs in a thumbnail view.  Many have complained about the layout and design, although I have no problem with it.  While Opera is not the fastest browser on the market, it is a useful under-the-radar browser that is a worthy rival to Firefox for use on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux.

Chrome for Windows
Chrome is a speedy browser that is very simple to use.  Chrome provides thumbnails of your most visited sites in which you can open a new tab to visit them…a feature becoming popular on many browsers.  The only knock on Chrome at the moment is the unavailability to run on Mac OS X and Linux, which fortunately is currently in the works.  Chrome is a great browser that provides users with fast loading speeds and ease of use.  I highly recommend this browser to Windows users.

Internet Explorer 8 for Windows
The biggest reason for consumers using Internet Explorer is because IE is the default browser loaded on Windows based computers.  Now while IE has improved since the terrible version 6, IE still is notorious for having that bogged down and slow feeling.  IE still proves to be unstable for many users, including myself, and at times does not load images and Web pages correctly.  It is a shame that many users are forced to use IE because of a policy at work or school.  I do not wish the IE experience upon anyone who wishes to have a positive browsing experience.  My personal advice to all PC users who use Internet Explorer is to open your eyes to the many better and up to date products out there, such as Firefox, Opera, and Chrome.

I hope this helped and opened some minds about the different browsers available.  While there are many other browsers out there than what I went over, I suggest to try some different browsers to find the one that feels right and performs to your standards.  Remember, personal preference is all that matters.  Below are my top picks:

Browser of choice for…
Mac OS X: Safari
Windows: Opera or Chrome
Social networking: Flock
Simplicity: Chrome