Eeek! I've gone and downloaded Firefox…<\/p>\n
Well I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It's not bad and if I'm honest I would probably use it if I hadn't first set eyes on Opera. The following is a 'day-one' appraisal, and to be fair I should acknowledge that I'm comparing a finished product (Opera) with a Beta release (Firefox). I may also have got some of this wrong, so please feel free to correct any errors. I'm not claiming to be an expert.<\/p>\n
Download and start-up:
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Well, first off the Firefox team have produced a browser that you really can use straight out of the box. It looks pretty familiar and includes a Home Page button right where you'd expect it (Opera, please note). It's a larger download than Opera though, which considering it's only a browser is a surprise (especially when almost everything you want it to do require additional extensions). Oh, and course you don't have to worry about paying for Firefox, or accepting ads (I know, I know… it's a different marketing model). <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 7 Firefox 10<\/p>\n
Configuring the basic package:
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Firefox is immensely configurable, but only via extensions which you have to go and download. And these seem to be of variable quality. Opera has the upper hand here (by miles), and that's even if you decide to ignore the mail and news options that come with it. Opera's help files and instructions are sometimes a bit odd (e.g. what does it mean to 'lend' a cookie?), so it does lose a point here. Firefox is very clear, but there's just not very much you can with the basic download.<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 9 Firefox 7<\/p>\n
Mouse Gesture:
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Built-in to Opera. Nowhere to be seen on Firefox. Having been a long-term IE user I'd never even heard of these; but in Opera they're right there in front of you in the Preferences menu. I discovered them, and fell in love! \ud83d\ude42 In Firefox you need to discover the extensions game. I downloaded two different gestures packs: one worked (All in One Gestures) and one didn't (Mouse Gestures). And if I didn't know about gestures, Firefox was never gonna teach me!<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 10 Firefox 5<\/p>\n
Tabbed browsing:
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Both provide this, but the whole interface is way superior on Opera. Firstly the choices stick. In Firefox, I keep getting new windows opening (which really is a pain). This never happens in Opera unless I deliberately make it act that way. Firefox scores well though on opening links in the background. Be nice if Opera had a choice on this. But Opera equalizes in allowing tiled tabs (great for chatting on-line and watching the football scores at the same time). There are other differences in behaviour that I've noticed, but nothing significant.<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 9 Firefox 7<\/p>\n
Skins:
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Both provide this, but Opera has far more. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 10 Firefox 8<\/p>\n
Panel:
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Not one of my favourite Opera features (a 15" screen doesn't leave much room for luxuries) but all you get with Firefox is History and Bookmarks. Not good when you consider the default riches offered by Opera (including the toggle bar). Opera by a mile, even if – as no doubt you can – you can configure Firefox via umpteen extensions.<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 8 Firefox 5<\/p>\n
Ad-blocking:
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Neither are great on this. In Firefox you have to grab an extension and then figure it out yourself from there. In Opera you need third party software or you can edit the relevant ini file. Neither solution is great, but given clear instructions both are probably ok. Uninitiated users will probably prefer downloading an extension to fiddling with ini files; but the version I did download is baffling me right now. I'm sure I'll figure it out, but it's not as easy as it shoud be. Ok, an hour later and a clearer head, I think the ad-blocker extension is great! Add two points to Firefox for this one. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 4 Firefox 6 (+2) = 8<\/p>\n
Speed:
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I'm using a 1.7gig machine, running on XP Home. Both browsers fire up pretty sharpish after the first launch of the day. Firefox seems marginally quicker (but we're talking fractions of a second).<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 8 Firefox 8<\/p>\n
Image toggle \/ User Mode \/ Zoom \/ Notes:
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No doubt there are extensions for these sorts of things, but Opera wins hands down here. There are zillions of really useful and incredibly easy facilities that are just sitting there waiting to be used. Opera definitely changes your browsing habits and gives you real control over how you use the web. Firefox (out of the box) doesn't. You just browse. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 10 Firefox 3<\/p>\n
Pop-up blocking:
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Both do this. But Firefox has a significant edge in allowing more choice in what is\/isn't blocked. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 7 Firefox 9<\/p>\n
Wand:
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Another win for Opera. Both offer password management, but the Opera 'Wand' is streets ahead. For example, I have several email accounts on the same ISP. Firefox will save the name\/password, and load it in next time I visit. With the Wand feature in Opera, I don't get anything pre-loaded on arrival; I get a proper choice. So I can have umpteen user names and passwords for the same page (or server), all neatly managed by a couple of clicks. The single password\/page approach of Firefox is a weakness. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 10 Firefox 7<\/p>\n
General user interface:
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Opera fans both love and hate the menus and advice pages. The basic problem is the use of idiosyncratic terminology and an assumption that the user knows what something then means. Firefox on the other hand uses incredibly straightforward language with lots of clear guidance. A win for Firefox (and would score better if they had control over the instructions for extensions). Both have excellent forums for on-line advice.<\/p>\n
Score: Opera 6 Firefox 8<\/p>\n
Access to sites:
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None of the sites that mess me about with Opera seem to have any problem with Firefox. To be honest, this is a big plus for FF. It has to be. <\/p>\n
Score: Opera 7 Firefox 10<\/p>\n
Total Scores: Opera 105 Firefox 93 (+2)= 95<\/p>\n
Would I recommend them to an IE user?
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I'd recommend both of them, spinning my preference according to the user. Frankly, I would be wary about recommending Opera to an occasional user, or someone who simply hates having to set things up. The first time they hit a site which 'doesn't work properly', they'll give up. Firefox is much easier and less radical in its approach and so is the logical choice for a straight IE switch. Also, it's free which makes recommending it so much more obvious. On the other hand, if the user was reasonably comfortable at playing around, then I'd tell definitely to go for Opera simply because you can do so much with it. (And then I'd say grab a copy of Firefox as backup.) It really comes down to this: they are both excellent browsers. Firefox is neat and simple. But Opera will change your life!<\/p>\n
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