Three browsers, and I'm saving the best for last.
Let's get this out of the way first. I have not used Chrome, nor do I intend to. I simply don't trust Google with any form of information. I use Scroogle for most of my searching needs.
The very idea of using a browser by them seems ripe for data mining. However, there is a better way. If you use Chrome, considering switching over to
ChromePlus!
ChromePlus is basically Chrome with a bunch of great features added, and a LOT of data tracking removed.
Examples: Chrome installs a updater, which installs Google product in backgound. This does not exist in ChromePlus. Chrome tracks some events such as search engine change, dev tool open, browser update, bookmark creation, browser exit, options change, ClientID and timestamps, theme installation and more. These have been removed from ChromePlus. Depending on the configuration, if you have typed a false address in the address bar, this is sent to Google and you get an error message from Google's servers. This is disabled by default. You can enable it if you like. RLZ-encoded-Tracking: This Chrome-function transmits information in encoded form to Google, for example, when and where Chrome has been downloaded. Does not exist in ChromePlus.
You get extra features too, like Mouse Gestures, Adblock, SuperDrag (Drag a link in the page with your left button and drop it somewhere else in the page), and more!
You can get ChromePlus at
http://www.chromeplus.org/index.php
Next up is
K-Meleon. I use this little guy a lot. I've gone mine set up in offline mode, and associated it with saved html files. When I'm looking at saved web pages, this is what I use because it's quick, simple, and easy. It's fast-loading and uses very little memory. The only reason I don't switch to it full-time is because I'm addicted to Firefox add-ons. You can get K-Meleon at
http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/
Whoops. Did I say Firefox? Ph?bus hit the nail on the head. It's time to look at my current browser and overall favorite,
Pale Moon!
Pale Moon is based off the Firefox project, but it's been optimized to take advantage of Windows and most modern systems. It's faster, takes less memory, and basically is what Firefox SHOULD be. The best part? As soon as you install it and run the migration tool (separate download), you retain all your information from Firefox! All bookmarks, active sessions, plug-ins, add-ons, EVERYTHING! There's literally no reason not to install this browser now, as you have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain!
From the web site:
"Why settle for a basic build of your Firefox browser on Windows Operating Systems when you can have one that performs 25% faster? Mozilla does not provide optimized browser packages for Windows, while many Linux ("from scratch") users get the advantage of a browser built specifically for their system. That needs to change! So, here is the Pale Moon project: Custom-built and optimized Firefox browsers for Windows Operating Systems. Make sure to get the most speed out of your browser!
Of course, getting a faster browser is not just about optimizing the compilation process (building a program from its source code), but also about carefully choosing features and how to choose the best setup. This means that this browser, however extremely close to Firefox, does not have all the functions that Firefox has. A few, carefully selected, features have been disabled that are not in high demand, and that do not interfere with the way web pages are displayed or function; all to maximize speed and efficiency of the browser. Please see the page with technical details to learn exactly what the browser supports, and what it doesn't support. In short, if you need accessibility features or parental controls, then please visit the firefox homepage and get the official, non-optimized build.
Main features:
* Highly optimized for current processors
* 100% Firefox sourced: As safe as the browser that has seen years of development.
* Uses slightly less memory because of disabled redundant and optional code
* Significant speed increases for page drawing and script processing
* Support for SVG and Canvas
* Support for Firefox extensions, themes and personas
* Able to use existing Firefox profiles"
Download Pale Moon at
http://www.palemoon.org/download.html
Get the migration tool at
http://www.dediplanet.com/palemoon/support/pmmig.exe
Btw, this is an amazing thread, and they mean just edit your first post so you have all your reviews on the first page.
