Which is the best browser for me?
Windows comes with Explorer as its default browser, and most people just use with little thought about alternatives that could produce better results. Trevor Eddolls (left) takes a look at what browsers are available and why they might be just right for you.
What is a browser?
A browser is a piece of software that allows you to access the World Wide Web (the www part of those website addresses you type in).
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Problems with online PAYE in IE7?
We're busy filing clients' P35s online at the moment. The HMRC website works fine for filing, but we just can't get IE7 to load the P60 pdfs so we can print them! I have no idea why this is, the page just takes forever to load (I haven't had the patience to leave it to see if they load eventually or if it has just hung).
Solution - run Firefox and the whole operation works fine, the P60s appear on screen instantly.
I have the same problem in IE7 accessing the PDF taxpayer statements from the SA agents pages - and again it works fine with Firefox.
Intranets
also, Internet Explorer supports ActiveX, while the others don't.
This can be taken two ways - ActiveX has been the method by which many of Internet Explorer's security breaches have operated, so Firefox has always pointed to this as a benefit not a limitation.
However, some Intranet products use ActiveX elements, and will NOT operate without them.
Microsoft SharePoint also doesn't work as well with other browsers.
At home - pick whatever you like. At work, there may be other factors forcing your hand.
PS - I use IE8.
Browser Policy
Anyone considering a change of browser should check their companies web usage policy as it may stipulate that MS Internet Explorer must be used. This is because some web filtering applications filter at browser level and the IT department may have configured a policy based on IE only. If this is the case then using an alternate browser may compromise security of the organisation.
Purely anecdotally I have used IE7, Opera, Firefox, and Chrome and of all of them I find Chrome to easily be the quickest and cleanest.
For pda based browsing I have previously used OperaMini which is a browser designed specifically for hand held devices. You can find more information here;
John Clough
www.tmcs.co.uk
First Direct - use Firefox
You can access First Direct using Firefox !