by Ben Walker

Created on: October 14, 2009

There are many Internet browsers out there: Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome, or just plain ol' Internet Explorer, but which one is the best? It all depends on what you're using the Internet for. Firefox loads pages lightning fast, while Opera has a unique, fast-paced user interface. Safari brings Mac to the Windows, while Chrome offers a sleek and stylish browser window. While Internet Explorer leads the pack in familiarity and wide-spread use.

For me, Firefox is top. It offers me quick page loads and an extremely customizable interface to go with my whole scheme. It's also popular and comes with many add-ons and extensions to fit my needs and make my Internet browsing experience more enjoyable and fast so I can do things I want to do. Add-ons include a G-Mail notifier, Cooliris, Secure Login, BugMeNot, a nifty Bookmark Synchronizer, multiple ad blocking programs and the list goes on and on.

What's so bad about Opera, Safari, Chrome, etc.? It's just not for me. I prefer speed and customizability of confusing shortcuts (like in Chrome) and new interface (such as in Opera and Safari, as I am a full-blown PC.) Firefox is free, constantly making newer, better versions, and really listens to my complaints and suggestions. The Firefox website is also simple to navigate just like Firefox. Mozilla, the company who makes Firefox, also makes other useful programs like Thunderbird and Seamonkey.

Plus, with those awesome icons, who wouldn't want this browser? C'mon, its way cooler than a red "O", a boring compass, an "E", or a weird blue-eyed, colorful, mechanized robot/icon. No offense other browsers, to you or to your icons, but that little fox warming the Earth in its folds of motherly fur, I just have to choose Firefox.

Here are the pros and cons of Firefox (yes, my love of Firefox does contain some cons.)

Pros:

Speed: The speed was one of the main reasons I switched from browser to browser until I found Firefox. Firefox is reported to be the fastest browser which means your programs and files download faster than most any other browser. Also, Firefox includes a download manager (but more are available in the extensive list of Firefox add-ons) that lets you go back to your previous downloads and move and erase them to your liking.

Security: Firefox takes some of the most advanced security measures that help block against spyware and even some viruses. It also has a pop-up blocker that eliminates almost 100 percent of undesired (you can choose to allow some websites

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