Everyone has used the Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer at some point in their life, and many have ended up trying/using Mozilla Firefox as a good alternative, but very few have used any other, except maby for Apple Safari which they accidently downloaded whilst updating Itunes.

Opera is a wonderful internet browser that at one time you used to have to pay to use. It has since been made available for free.

It's main version is for desktop/laptop computers, although they have recently made a version for mobile phones, but in this article we will just be covering the PC version.

Right From The Word Go

For a start Opera is very easy to download and install, going to the Opera homepage will point you towards the download section, or simply googling "Opera" will take you direct to the download page. From here you just click to download it and run it. Setup takes a few minutes and doesn't require a restart after it is finished.

After installing it, you can boot it straight up. The default homepage is a page about getting started with Opera, but it can easily be changed by going onto "Tools" then "Preferences" to change the homepage to whatever you want.

The Features

Tabs

Opera has tabs, much like Firefox and the latest Internet Explorer 7 (IE were really behind the times before Vista). This means that you can open up preety much as many pages as you want without having hundreds of windows cluttering your taskbar.

Mouse Gestures

Another great feature that seems to be very Opera specific (although once again add-ons for IE and Firefox will allow this), are mouse gestures. By holding down the right mouse button you can then move it in different directions to do cause different effects. Moving the mouse left with go back a page. Moving right will go forward to the next page on your browser. Moving down will open a new tab, etc. etc.

Although seemingly complecated at first, they are very simple and once mastered can save great amount of time and effort, and once you have started using them, there really is no way back. If you choose to start using Firefox, the first thing you will automatically do is download the mouse gestures add-on, purely due it's ease of use, and win over clicking the back button at the top of your browser.

Skins

These are available right from the start on both Opera and Firefox (but not available on IE), and both are very similar. Basically if you don't like the look of the browser when you first install it (the black is a little dull), you can apply a new "skin" which are created by other users, which will completly change the look of the browser. There are hundreds of skins, with something to suit everyone. Want everything bright blue? Done. Want a subtle vista matching colour scheme? Done. With a little searching you will find a skin that suits your taste.

Widgets

Widgets, despite their amusing name, can actually be very useful, and can be used for many different purposes. Widgets can do just about anything. There are widgets that show you maps of the world, widgets that allow you to play fun little games such as sim aquarium whilst browsing, some widgets can show you real time webcams from all over the world, others allow you to play radio stations or check the news, and some just tell you the time, or show weather forcasts.

Overall widgets are handy little extras that add that extra bit of entertainment or information whilst your surfing the web.

Torrent Downloader

Opera, unlike Firefox, IE, or any other browser I can find, has a built in torrent downloader. For the average person looking to have a nice looking browser that they can happily surf the net on, this won't effect them; but for those who know about downloading files through a torrent, this could be handy.

Rather than having to download a dedicated torrent program such as utorrent, all torrentsbei can be handled easily inside a seperate tab in Opera, which allows you to see all the usual information such as seeders and peers, aswell as being able to do all the standard tasks such as setting download limits etc.

This is probibly one of Opera's greatest achievements, as by having a built in torrent program, whilst it's competitors do not, it means it can appeal to a wider audience.

Easy To Navigate History

Ever looked at a really good news article, then crossed it down, then wanted to look at it but not been able to find it? Well Opera has it covered. All you have to do is type in whatever you want to find into the adress bar, and it will show you the websites/pages you have visited lately where the specific phrase has been used. A good example would be where I was looking at some motherboard upgrades earlier. If (for example) I couldn't remember the website that I was looking at that had them cheap, then I can just type "motherboard" into the address bar, and it will show that earlier I was looking at *whatever motherboard* on whichever page of ebuyer I was looking at it on. Overall this excellent way of browsing your history is just genious, and is great when you can't remember the exact thing you were looking at.

Conclusion

Many things included here are including in add-ons for firefox, or by downloading the popular IE Pro for Internet Explorer users, but the fact that they come built in, means that the creaters of the browser really are in touch with their users, and that is always a major thing when it comes to creating any sort of program, be it a game, an application, or a browser.

Opera really does set a new standard for web browsers, and i'm sure when IE finally gets an update, or when the next generation of Firefox comes out, things Opera has already done, such as including a torrent downloader, or having mouse gestures, will become the new standard for browsers.

Safari

Safari is one of the fastest web browsers on any platform. It loads pages up to 1.9 times and executes JavaScript up to 6 times faster than Internet Explorer 7. It has excellent features like tabbed web browsing, resizable text fields, snapback and easy book marks. As expected from any apple products, this web browser is designed for more security and easy usage.

Latest version: Safari 3.1

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is an excellent free web browser. With this browser you can view the pages faster and it requires less computer memory. You can avoid online scams with Instant Website ID. It offers a wide number of features like anti-malware, anti-virus and anti-phishing options. This web browser is available in more than 40 languages. Pop-up blocker, Spell checker and many more wonderful features are available with this browser. Whenever I get a problem with IE, I use this browser and personally felt that this is the best alternative to IE.

Mozilla web browser is faster in Java script processing when compared to other web browsers.

Latest version: Firefox 3.0 Beta 5

Opera

Opera is a superfast web browser. It is a free Web browser and can access web pages 30% faster than Internet Explorer and much faster than Firefox when using tabbed browsing. Moreover it offers lots of great tools for Web Developers. This is more secure and stable with fraud protection, cookie control and security bar.

Latest version: Opera 9.5

Maxthon

Maxthon is a powerful web browser with many interesting features like Tabbed Browsing, Feed Reader, Ad Hunter and Web Sniffer etc. The super Acceleration Mode improves your browser speed. URL Alias enables you to visit your favorite website by setting its name in the menu and typing just the name in the address bar than the whole web address. The Filter pack feature removes ads on a specified website and also gives you the possibility of modifying web page source code. Some excellent features include Anti-Freeze, Web Bar, Super Proxy, Screen Capture and Undo List. It offers Trusted Website Check by indicating with green color.

Latest version: 2.1.2.649

Avant

Avant is another web browser with many interesting features like Active X controls, Java Script, Real Player and Macromedia Flash. The Flash Animation Filter helps you to block the unwanted advertisements (which are mostly flash files). Additional mouse functions, multi window browsing, ATOM Reader and Pop-up Blocker are some of the important features of this.

Latest version: 11.6Build20

I have tested five of them, some of them because they are famous and many of them are using them or because they have some cool functions. I have tested Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Space time and Opera. I have downloaded the most recent version of the programs. They are all free except Microsoft Internet Explorer. It requires a legal version of Windows.

NOTE: I will not test the speed. I will test interface, how user friendly it is, the installation, functions and such. Not the hardest parts.

Let's start with Microsoft.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

I downloaded this immediately when it was released (not the beta versions, only the real one). But I have to say that I was disappointed. It was slower than the 6th version and I had some troubles with the installation. One good thing is the interface. Finally they have added the tab function. It was about time. But average it is not improved that much. It has become more user friendly. Even my grandmother can use it. It has a pop up blocker that really blocks. I couldn´t open any pop ups in the beginning. Microsoft hasn't added any special functions that are unique. If you press ctrl+ the number of your tab you get that one and you get an overview of all the open pages if you press ctrl+Q but this is not new. Opera have had it for years. Let´s hope the 8th version will be better.

Not impressed by Microsoft.

Mozilla Firefox

I´m not sure but I think that Firefox was the first one to use tabs, but I´m not sure at all. But I can say that it is the most popular web browser. Most people recommend uninstall Internet Explorer and install Firefox instead. And I can understand them. The burning fox is a really, really good browser. It is fast and reliable, easy to install and it has a lot of cool functions. You can skin it and download cool plug-ins like mouse gesture control and similar stuff. Firefox is awarded for best web browser several times at websites like cNet and PC magazine.

For being open source software this is really great. I use to say: “Either it is free and very good like Linux and open source or it is very expensive like Mac OS X. Then between these two things it come cheap a little bugging software like Microsoft.” Go open source!

Free and reliable software that you can reprogram however you want.

Apple Safari

This has been my primary web browser for a long time now. Mostly because I like Apple very much but can't afford a Mac. It has a very nice interface and tab control like I don´t know what. Everything floats around and there are animations for everything. The installation was very fast and easy. The browser it self is actually noticeable faster than Internet Explorer which I used before. It is user friendly but uses a total different technique than IE so you don´t have functions like scroll but you learn all that after a short time. Functions are very unique:

There is an auto fill function that automatically fills out the forms with your name and address. If you have entered a password that is stored too!

If you drag a tab out of the tab bar it will open as a new page.

The shortcut I mentioned when I was writing about Internet Explorer, Ctrl+Number, is also integrated in Safari. It will open the bookmark at that Number.

What´s not so good with Safari is that all web pages isn't compatible with it. Therefore you must have an option installed. Any of those I have written about here will work!

Very good browser but unfortunately it will require a second one too!

Space Time

This is just SO cool. If you like cool and new stuff you have to check this out. It is a new kind of version. There is no installation; the whole program is just one .exe file. But when you open it… You can browse and search in 3d! It´s so cool! You have a 3d landscape that you can play around with. Turn, zoom… The different searches and browser windows are organized in stacks that are showed either in your 3d landscape or a field at the bottom of the screen. This uses IE as browser and all your favorites and your history is loaded there. Settings are the usual IE settings. The interface is very similar to the interface in iPod Touch and iPhone.

Highly recommended browser, it is only to bad that they are using IE to surf!

Opera

Also very fast browser, it has a very easy interface. It was installed in less than 30 seconds, isn´t that something? What I noticed with Opera was that it didn´t slow my computer down that much. It was running fast all the time, even when I was loading heavy pages. Opera is very cool! You can download small games and small applications that run with opera. It is a good way to take a break from your work and just chill with a mind free game! It is also possible to skin this one too like Firefox. It is a very advanced browser and I am sure that I don´t even know half of them. I can't write much more.

Very, very good and easy, fast, reliable web browser.

My Ranking

1. Mozila Firefox, independent, free web browser that is very advanced and highly trusted, highly customizable.
2. Opera, also independent. It has a lot of cool features and is free of charge, skinning possibility.
3. Safari, independent but can´t show all web pages. Nice looking Apple interface, not possible to skin.
4. Space Time, cool application but not independent. Uses Internet Explorer to surf. But very cool!
5. Internet Explorer, pretty boring and standard. Nothing special except how slow it is. No skinning possibility.

The Opera browser is very customizable and is based towards the person who wants more security. It has no holes in its security compared to 7 for IE, 4 for Firefox, 3 for Safari, and 2 for Konqueror, as of 2/19/2007. Opera also has many widgets that are like the add-ons for Firefox with the exception that anyone can make these widgets. Safari is customizable and doesn't have as many security issues as IE, but is only for Mac and PC, meaning no for Linux. And last but not least is Konqueror, which is like a mix between Firefox and Internet Explorer. It is very customizable and presents few security concerns for the average user. These are the main browsers that people use nowadays and by far the best. It is up to you to decide which one you should use.

Well, this guide will help you with both of those and much more, depending on your needs. All that is required is an Internet connection and the Opera web browser. To download the Opera web browser, navigate to Opera.com

Once you're on a page, right click -> Reload Every -> Custom and enter the time you'd like before it refreshes again. These times start after the age loads, so you can view the content whilst waiting for it to reload.

Hopefully you've enjoyed this tutorial!

Every browser shows websites differently

Websites are written with HTML or PHP. Browser has to read websites code and show webpage to us correctly. Some browsers don't recognize very important standards like CSS2 or CSS3. That's why websites are shown not correctly. “Acid2” test lets us know if browser recognizes all standards.

firefox

“Firefox” is the one of the best browsers around. This browser opens websites at very fast speed and has many add-ons, which can be downloaded from official website. “Firefox” is very good at pop-up window blocking.

It uses about 28 MB disk space, you can open sites in tabs, and you can easily delete your personal data. But “Firefox” doesn't correctly recognize CSS3. That was proved by “Acid2” test.

Opera.

Browser “Opera” is available not only for PC, but also for mobile phones. A very bad thing is that “Opera” doesn't have any help, so if you will have some questions, you will have to find answers at the internet. “Opera” is not so good at blocking pop-up windows like “Firefox”, but it recognizes all standards correctly (CSS1/CSS2/CSS3).

Maxthon

“Maxthon” was known by “MyIE” name. This browser uses IE7 as its base. “Maxthon” just changes its appearance and adds new functions. This browser is easy to use. It also perfectly blocks pop-up windows but on the other hand, it doesn't recognize CSS3. “Acid2” test failed.

Netscape

“Netscape” is the internet legend. It is one of the oldest browsers. But its abilities aren't best. It blocks pop-up windows perfectly, but doesn't have any help.

Flashpeak

“Slimbrowser” like “Maxthon” uses IE for its base. We will find not many new functions. Program looks beautiful, but it is not very clear. We can view few websites at same time and that is very good. But like many other browsers, this browser doesn't recognize CSS3 correctly.

Avantbrowser

Another browser, which uses IE for its base. It looks better, but doesn't have many functions. We can download add-ons, which will make “Avant Browser” better, but there are not many add-ons available. It is not good at blocking pop-up windows.

Mozilla

This web browser is very fast and powerful. We will find e-mail, website creator and other good functions. It recognizes CSS1 and CSS2 perfectly, but CSS3 not correctly. Pop-up windows were blocked. There are many extensions available.

Microsoft

“Internet Explorer” finally has tabs. It also perfectly lets us see websites in smaller size. But “Microsoft” ignored CSS standards, that's why many websites won't open correctly. IE works only on Windows XP or Vista.

Kmeleon

“K-Meleon” doesn't have many functions. It is not fast. But it is easy to manage our favorites. It also perfectly blocks pop-up window, but doesn't protect us from phishing.

Flock

This is one of the worst browsers around. We will find not many functions, but it is a very fast browser. But it doesn't block pop-up windows perfectly. This program should become better or just disappear.

Earlier this week there were scoops found which showed screenshots of the beta-version of Windows Live Video that confirmed the rumors. The video-site is strongly integrated with Windows Live Search and will logically also be integrated in the Live-platform. Furthermore Microsoft looked at the possibility to publish video material directly to Live Spaces or to share video with friends on the internet.

A Microsoft-manager recently proclaimed that the complete Live-platform has to be compatible with alternative browsers such as Firefox and Opera. With the use of the wmv-size and Windows Media Player, it looks like the developers aren’t making it easy for themselves to support the competitors.

None the less, the Live-developers are spending a lot of their time testing with non-IE-browsers, according to Frank Arrigo. That’s why Arrigo assured the press on Microsoft’s Tech. Ed-conference that all services will work perfectly fine with no problems at all in alternative browsers as soon as they have left the beta-stadium.