10 new ways to speed up download time

Grok Headline matches for 10 new ways to speed up download time

Speed Download 2.3: Internet Utility
Fails To Boost Speed

Speed Download 2.3: Internet Utility
Fails To Boost Speed 06/21/2004 12:15 PM
If you need a download manager that centralizes your Internet downloads, lets you sort them, and facilitates file sharing, then you may benefit from Speed Download 2.3.4. But don't buy it if you want only to boost download speed. By Jackie Dove, Macworld (via MyAppleMenu)

Download of the week: Speed Download 2

Download of the week: Speed Download 2 12/07/2003 04:05 PM
After reading a forum post yesterday inquiring about DSL vs. cable download speeds (specifically Cox Cable), I though I’d write about one of OS X’s more underappreciated applications. Let’s face it. If you’re using OS X, you’re using the Internet; and if you’re using the Internet, you’re looking for one thing: speed. For most people, dial-up just doesn’t cut it anymore, and for some, cable speeds still aren’t enough. While Safari and Camino have taken care of many gripes about page...

Speed Download 2.1

Speed Download 2.1 11/12/2003 04:28 PM
Fastest, most complete download manager for Mac OS X.

Speed Download optimized for Mac OS X
10.3.5

Speed Download optimized for Mac OS X
10.3.5 09/09/2004 10:54 AM
Yazsoft has released Speed Download 2.3.6, an update to its download manager for Mac OS X...

SPEED DOWNLOAD 3 READY FOR MAC OS X
10.3.9

SPEED DOWNLOAD 3 READY FOR MAC OS X
10.3.9 03/25/2005 05:14 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPEED DOWNLOAD 3 READY FOR MAC OS X 10.3.9

March 25, 2005 - Yazsoft announces the immediate availability of Speed Download 3.0.5; a new version of the popular download manager completely tweaked and optimized for the upcoming Mac OS X 10.3.9.

Completely re-written with Apple xCode, Speed Download 3 is the leading download manager for Mac OS X providing many new features including turbo-charged downloading, uploading, peer 2 peer file sharing, scheduling, bandwidth management, and more while providing auto-resuming functionality and security at all times. Speed Download 3 is optimized for ALL internet connection (dial-up or broadband).

Speed Download 2.3.6 optimized for
10.3.5, more

Speed Download 2.3.6 optimized for
10.3.5, more 09/09/2004 04:51 PM
YazSoft announced on Thursday the release of Speed Download 2.3.6. The new version of the company's download assistance utility features optimization for Mac OS X v10.3.5, better integration with Safari, full support for all .dmg files, fixes for problems with .dms files, a move to Apple's Xcode for improved reliability and more. This is a free update for registered users; the full version is US$20 for one license or $30 for two, with a 15-day trial available. Mac OS X v10.2.8 is required.

Seven Ways to Save Time Searching

Seven Ways to Save Time Searching 09/08/2004 04:46 PM
Another freebie from Web Search Garage: Seven Ways to Save Time Searching....

Macworld review: Speed Download 2.3

Macworld review: Speed Download 2.3 06/22/2004 09:26 AM
For some people, Internet downloads are never fast enough. If you're one of them, you might be tempted by Speed Download 2.3.4, from YazSoft, which is supposed to accelerate the speed at which files download from the Internet. But in our tests, Speed Download did almost nothing to speed up downloads. And in some instances, files took longer to download with Speed Download than without it. Luckily, the program has other virtues.

Speed Download 2.1 optimized for Panther

Speed Download 2.1 optimized for Panther 11/12/2003 01:04 PM
YazSoft today announced the availability of Speed Download 2.1, a major update to the company's popular download manager...

Speed Download 2.3.6 released today.

Speed Download 2.3.6 released today. 09/09/2004 12:55 PM
Yazsoft announces the release of an important update to their flagship utility Speed Download 2, version 2.3.6. updated and optimized for Mac OS X 10.3.5 and the future.

Important update for Speed Download 3

Important update for Speed Download 3 03/23/2005 12:57 PM
Yazsoft announces the release of an important update for Speed Download, version 3.0.4. Speed Download 3 has been completely re-written and re-designed with high performance and ease of use in mind. In addition, Speed Download 3 is optimized for ANY internet connection (dial-up or broadband).

PHPComplete.com: CSS Download Speed
Boost

PHPComplete.com: CSS Download Speed
Boost 08/10/2004 08:29 AM
There's a quick, handy trick over on PHPComplete about making your CSS download faster as optimized files.

Important update for Speed Download 3
released

Important update for Speed Download 3
released 03/23/2005 01:17 PM

CONTACT:
Yazsoft
http://www.yazsoft.com
Email:

March 23, 2005 – Yazsoft announces the release of an important update for Speed Download, version 3.0.4.

Speed Download 3 is the leading professional download manager for the Macintosh. Specifically crafted and optimized in response to the demanding needs of Mac OS X users, including internet surfers, power downloaders, file sharing fans, software developers, network administrators, and more, Speed Download 3 provides a plethora of turbo-charged new features for file downloading, uploading, file sharing, scheduling, maximizing bandwidth usage, and more while providing auto-resuming functionality and security at all times.

Speed Download 2.3.1 offers tweaks,
fixes

Speed Download 2.3.1 offers tweaks,
fixes 02/17/2004 10:10 AM
Yazsoft today announced the release of Speed Download 2.3.1, the latest version of the company's popular download manager for Mac OS X...

Major update to Speed Download 2 this
week

Major update to Speed Download 2 this
week 01/05/2004 02:33 AM
Later this week YazSoft will release a major update to Speed Download 2, the company's popular download manager...

Speed Download receives major update
with v2.2

Speed Download receives major update
with v2.2 01/08/2004 07:16 PM
As we reported earlier this week, Yazsoft has released a major update to Speed Download, the company's popular download manager...

Important update and new pricing for
Speed Download 3 released

Important update and new pricing for
Speed Download 3 released 03/14/2005 05:28 PM
March 9, 2005 – Yazsoft announces the release of an important update for Speed Download, version 3.0.3.

[[ Visit http://www.macmegasite.com for full article ]]

Allied Data Technologies multiplies
Download Speed with new ADSL2/2+
products

Allied Data Technologies multiplies
Download Speed with new ADSL2/2+
products 05/31/2004 02:13 PM
Allied Data Technologies, specialist in the field of Customer Premises Equipment for the Local Loop (PSTN, ISDN, xDSL), today announces the introduction of the new CopperJet 16xx-series that supports ADSL2/2+. This new ADSL variant offers new possibilities to business- and consumer market as well as Internet Service Providers. [PRWEB May 13, 2004]

SPEED DOWNLOAD 3.0.6 TURBO-CHARGES FILE
SHARING AND SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION.

SPEED DOWNLOAD 3.0.6 TURBO-CHARGES FILE
SHARING AND SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION. 04/06/2005 05:42 PM

April 06, 2005 - Yazsoft announces the immediate availability of Speed Download 3.0.6; a new version of the popular download manager offering turbo-charged changes to the new peer to peer file sharing and software distribution feature set, as well as more performance tweaks for the upcoming Mac OS X 10.3.9.

Completely re-written with Apple xCode, Speed Download 3 is the leading download manager for Mac OS X providing many new features including turbo-charged downloading, uploading, peer 2 peer file sharing, scheduling, bandwidth management, and more while providing auto-resuming functionality and security at all times. Speed Download 3 is optimized for ALL internet connection (dial-up or broadband).

One Time Download 1.5

One Time Download 1.5 06/27/2004 04:27 PM
A script to allow downloading files using a one time ticket.

One Time Download 1.0

One Time Download 1.0 11/03/2003 04:44 PM
A script to allow downloading files using a one time ticket.

The Time Has Come For The 100 Millionth
Download

The Time Has Come For The 100 Millionth
Download 07/07/2004 09:21 PM
Can you make an accurate prediction on when the iTunes Music Store will make its 100 million download?

Ways to Speed Up Windows XP & Windows
2000

Ways to Speed Up Windows XP & Windows
2000 05/15/2004 04:28 AM
Techfocus May 15 2004 8:16AM GMT

Time To Drop Song Download Costs

Time To Drop Song Download Costs 09/20/2004 03:07 PM
We've been waiting patiently for the inevitable price war to break out in the online music download store world, but so far it's (mostly) held up due to the high fees the recording industry continues to charge. Now, Newsweek's tech columnist Steven Levy, is pointing out that if the recording industry dropped their fees, they'd sell a lot more music. He thinks that sooner or later, the industry has to realize that they'll do even better if prices are cheaper. He points to Real Networks' experience (which is a bit skewed since it was a promotional plan) in dropping the price by half -- but which allowed them to sell six times as many songs. If this ratio were to hold (a big "if" obviously, since it assumes people will spend more overall) then the industry would end up making a lot more money by cutting their price -- but, instead, of course, they're all looking for ways to raise prices or force people to buy bad songs to get good songs.

ELAN™ Expands VIA!®dj Family to Three
Products and Enchances Current Model to
Include iPod Download, 20x Rip Speed,
and a Host of Additional New Features

ELAN™ Expands VIA!®dj Family to Three
Products and Enchances Current Model to
Include iPod Download, 20x Rip Speed,
and a Host of Additional New Features 01/07/2005 04:14 AM
Popular VIA!®dj Digital Music Server Now Addresses Full Range of Specialty Dealer and Client Needs With Added High Capacity and Single Output Models [PRWEB Jan 7, 2005]

Time Warner Will Boost Cable Speed

Time Warner Will Boost Cable Speed 12/24/2004 12:46 PM

Time Warner Boosts Cable Speeds

Time Warner has unwrapped a holiday gift for its cable Internet subscribers: faster downloads. The company plans to roll out increased speeds of 5Mbits and 8Mbits per second, a 2Mbit boost for its standard and premium RoadRunner cable offerings. Customers in New York will see the improved download speeds starting next Tuesday, while the rest of the country will reap the benefits come January. Time Warner says it will not increase prices for its 3.7 million broadband users.

Makes you wonder what they were doing with all this bandwidth before now? Oh.. I guess we know.

Time Warner Threatens To Sue DSL Company
Who Claims Speed Advantage

Time Warner Threatens To Sue DSL Company
Who Claims Speed Advantage 08/18/2004 02:38 PM
Last year, we noted the differentiation strategies between cable and DSL firms in the US. The DSL companies decided to start dropping their prices to entice those who didn't want to pay extra for cable broadband. Meanwhile, the cable companies believed they could keep their prices high, while claiming a speed advantage. It seemed obvious that DSL would win that battle -- as they did. The difference in speed is minimal (though, important to some), but the pricing differential was clear. Besides, as speeds kept improving, DSL companies could claim they were catching up. Now, Broadband Reports has the story of a DSL provider in Maine who conducted a study saying that their DSL was faster than competitor Time Warner's cable broadband. Time Warner agreed to take part in the study, but later pulled out -- questioning the methodology. The end result, not surprisingly, was that the study found the DSL offering was faster than cable. Time Warner disagrees... to the point that they're threatening to sue the DSL provider for false advertising. Unfortunately, the details aren't entirely clear. While it certainly does have the appearance of Time Warner being a "sore loser," the methodology really does matter in a case like this. If the study was only conducted with DSL customers who are very close to the CO, then it's quite likely they could get speeds higher than cable. However, it would be dishonest to suggest that all DSL customers could reach those same levels. Unfortunately, the article doesn't get into that level of detail.

Motorola Helps Speed Time-to-Market with
New AdvancedTCA Application-Enabling
Platform

Motorola Helps Speed Time-to-Market with
New AdvancedTCA Application-Enabling
Platform 06/26/2004 10:33 PM
Linux Electrons Jun 27 2004 2:08AM GMT

Bruneis e-Speed Is No Speed Complain
Angry Internet Users

Bruneis e-Speed Is No Speed Complain
Angry Internet Users 10/31/2003 01:42 AM
BruDirect Oct 31 2003 0:17AM ET

Rogers Hi-Speed Internet to set new
cable industry benchmark for speed

Rogers Hi-Speed Internet to set new
cable industry benchmark for speed 01/22/2004 06:11 PM
Stockhouse Canada Jan 22 2004 10:10PM GMT

More cars, more speed: development of
Need For Speed: Underground 2 announced

More cars, more speed: development of
Need For Speed: Underground 2 announced 08/15/2004 11:04 PM
TechTree Aug 16 2004 2:50AM GMT

Download.com.sg, a Full Fledged Software
Download Site Hits 100,000 Visits a Day,
Increasing User Base Steadily and
Keeping Software Developers and Sponsors
Happy

Download.com.sg, a Full Fledged Software
Download Site Hits 100,000 Visits a Day,
Increasing User Base Steadily and
Keeping Software Developers and Sponsors
Happy 06/22/2005 01:51 AM
Within a short period of time, download.com.sg has made a mark for itself as the premier software repository. Download.com.sg has added 10,000 memebers over just a few months and is averaging 100,000 visits daily. Its sponsors, mainly software developers who sell their software are kept happy with low advertising rate and high returns. [PRWEB Jun 21, 2005]

"Time, time, time. It's such a current
subject." ...

"Time, time, time. It's such a current
subject." ... 12/02/2003 01:06 AM
"Time, time, time. It's such a current subject."

-Microserfs

eBay item 5563490518 (Ends Mar-12-05
19:34:43 PST) - TIME MACHINE ! For Time
Travel ? very low reserve

eBay item 5563490518 (Ends Mar-12-05
19:34:43 PST) - TIME MACHINE ! For Time
Travel ? very low reserve 04/18/2005 06:42 PM
Bet your very own non-working, fake as hell looking time machine here .. buy a time machine on eBay .. enchère .. 2239 .. dit

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5563490518
track this site | 2 links

Time’s up! Pharmaceutical experts offer
reps needed time management tools

Time’s up! Pharmaceutical experts offer
reps needed time management tools 07/30/2004 03:41 AM
Time management is one of the most important things a pharmaceutical sales representative can master. In this MedZilla article, sales consultants and representatives in the pharmaceutical space give their input about the time management process and tools that help reps focus on what’s important and eliminate what’s not. [PRWEB Jul 30, 2004]

Eliminating Lag Time: The Last Mile in
Creating a Real-Time Enterprise

Eliminating Lag Time: The Last Mile in
Creating a Real-Time Enterprise 04/06/2005 02:07 AM
Enterprise applications that were once confined to the corporate headquarters are now widely distributed to users across the extended enterprise. In this environment, it is critical that businesses deliver these applications in real time. After all, poor performance is no longer an annoying inconvenience; it can have a serious impact the business as a whole. [PRWEB Apr 6, 2005]

More Ways To Help

More Ways To Help 12/27/2004 07:13 PM

Singapo re Red Cross.

More organisations and resources are listed in this blog..

50 Ways

50 Ways 06/03/2004 01:41 PM
Break up stories. NYC blogger smitten shares her friend's break-up-by-text-message story and invites readers to post their own. Resulting tales of woe (and some that aren't) include: (1) a "Dear John" e-mail; (2) he dedicates Robert Palmer's classic "I didn't mean to turn you on" to you; (3) his mother calls to say happy birthday and btw her son is having an affair; (4) you find out he has a fiance when she calls to ask who you are; (5) you break up right after sex while everyone's still naked. Maybe there should be a Strunk and White "Elements of Style" resource for break up protocol.

The web has a ways to go

The web has a ways to go 11/11/2003 11:27 PM
I live in San Francisco. I wanted to get some Thai food delivered to my apartment. I didn't have any menus handy, so I tried to use the web. I failed. In fact, not only did I fail, but I tried for half an hour and had a miserable time while doing it. I don't know where the breakdown is: Thai restaurants in San Francisco don't deliver (to my neighborhood*), the information isn't on the web, the mechanisms for finding the information aren't good, or I'm inept at using them. But it seems like a simple, possible thing that was not possible for simple enough for me to complete before giving up and settling for a veggie burger bought from the health food store across the street.

Unless it's the first option, which I doubt, the web has a ways to go.

Yay.

* I actually placed an order online here, which I was delighted about until, after realizing I gave the wrong phone number, I called, and they then told me I'm too far away.
Grok Description matches for 10 new ways to speed up download time
GrokA matches for 10 new ways to speed up download time

Internet Explorer 5 Power Tweaks Web
Accessories

Internet Explorer 5 Power Tweaks Web
Accessories 06/14/2004 11:20 AM

Notes and Tips: Safari Speed Tweaks

Notes and Tips: Safari Speed Tweaks 05/25/2004 10:09 AM
Jeff Harmon shares some notes on Safari speed-tweaking parameters.

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: Internet
Explorer May Unexpectedly Close When You
Leave the Pointer on the Text in the
DHTML Editor

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: Internet
Explorer May Unexpectedly Close When You
Leave the Pointer on the Text in the
DHTML Editor 11/05/2003 11:38 PM
In the DHTML editor of Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (SP1), when the text in the DHTML editor is a link, and the pointer is at the end of the link text, Internet Explorer may unexpectedly close (crash) when you try to exit the page. You may also receive a "General Protection Fault" error message on the Dhtmled.ocx file.

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: Internet
Explorer Unexpectedly Quits When You Use
It to View a Web Page That Contains VML

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: Internet
Explorer Unexpectedly Quits When You Use
It to View a Web Page That Contains VML 11/05/2003 11:38 PM
This update resolves an issue when you use Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 to view a Web page that contains Vector Markup Language (VML), Internet Explorer may unexpectedly quit (crash). This problem may occur if a script in the Web page changes the src attribute on a VML image element to a different location.

BugTraq: Microsoft's Explorer and
Internet Explorer long share name buffer
overflow

BugTraq: Microsoft's Explorer and
Internet Explorer long share name buffer
overflow 04/26/2004 01:05 PM
SecurityFocus Apr 26 2004 5:09PM GMT

Microsoft's Explorer and Internet
Explorer long share name buffer
overflow.

Microsoft's Explorer and Internet
Explorer long share name buffer
overflow. 04/26/2004 01:18 PM
Rodrigo Gutierrez (Apr 25 2004)

RE: Microsoft's Explorer and Internet
Explorer long share name buffer
overflow.

RE: Microsoft's Explorer and Internet
Explorer long share name buffer
overflow. 04/26/2004 07:06 PM
Rodrigo Gutierrez (Apr 25 2004)

Re: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft's
Explorer and Internet Explorer long
share name buffer overflow.

Re: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft's
Explorer and Internet Explorer long
share name buffer overflow. 04/27/2004 02:34 PM
KF (lists) (Apr 26 2004)

Re[2]: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft's
Explorer and Internet Explorer long
share name buffer overflow.

Re[2]: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft's
Explorer and Internet Explorer long
share name buffer overflow. 04/29/2004 01:18 PM
3APA3A (Apr 29 2004)

Re: Windows Explorer TGA Crash is a DoS
bug in Internet Explorer.

Re: Windows Explorer TGA Crash is a DoS
bug in Internet Explorer. 12/22/2004 01:09 AM
Berend-Jan Wever (Dec 20 2004)

Is Internet Explorer on it's way out?

Is Internet Explorer on it's way out? 07/19/2004 04:40 PM

Direct and Related Links for 'Is Internet Explorer on it’s way out?'

An interesting perspective from a fellow Gnomie who believes that IE has finally had it, pure and simple. He even goes so far as to point to what the US-CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) is suggesting for Internet users. “It is time for national leaders to get their heads out of the sand and recognize this threat to their [our] national and economic security, [and to begin] cooperating on a global basis to deny access…

RIP Internet Explorer?

RIP Internet Explorer? 07/16/2004 04:49 PM
It's hard to imagine that anyone would continue to use Internet Explorer faced as it is with such massive security issues. If it were a car rather than a browser, it would have been scrapped. But despite very good reasons for moving browsers, people still aren't. Why? There are a multitude of reasons but by far the simplest is that average Joe doesn't know what the hell browser security issues are, or even that the browser is just a piece of software used for accessing the Internet. Thanks to Microsoft's spectacular decision (causing it to fall foul of competition law) to bundle Explorer with Windows, people don't know anything of any other browser. To many people, Explorer is the Internet.

Why does anyone use Internet Explorer?

Why does anyone use Internet Explorer? 04/16/2005 04:57 AM
Recently, our church made the switch to a new Web hosting service that offered us a database-driven site that we can keep updated through a Web interface. Strangely enough, the Web interface operates only under Internet Explorer, although it appears to be written in PHP. I've tried using the interface with both Firefox and Konqueror. It sort of works, but I need it to really work, so I'm stuck with IE. (Maybe that's why I'm the church's unofficial Web master.) After working with the world's most popular Web browser, I wonder why so many people put up with it.

Internet Explorer to block pop-ups

Internet Explorer to block pop-ups 11/12/2003 05:40 PM

Why I dislike Internet Explorer

Why I dislike Internet Explorer 08/17/2004 04:06 AM
While I'm not one to engage in schadenfreude, the recent announcements from CERT and the United States Department of Homeland Security telling users to avoid the use of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser came as a happy surprise. Not because I take any joy in watching Microsoft suffer, but because CERT and the DHS are coming clean on the dangers a software monoculture can bring.

Bugs hit 9i and Internet Explorer

Bugs hit 9i and Internet Explorer 12/15/2003 07:00 AM
Computer Weekly Dec 15 2003 6:11AM ET

Internet Explorer is the problem

Internet Explorer is the problem 03/06/2004 01:54 AM
Why Internet Explorer poses both a security threat and an economic threat to webhosts in particular, and everyone on the Internet in general.

Internet Explorer Still Vulnerable

Internet Explorer Still Vulnerable 07/07/2004 04:37 PM
A self-appointed security sleuth has uncovered a new vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser that bears a close resemblance to the Download.Ject exploit. Although Microsoft patched Download.Ject last week, Dutch security expert Jelmer Kuperus found that Microsoft's efforts to fix the problem did not go far enough.

ABF Internet Explorer Tools v1.13

ABF Internet Explorer Tools v1.13 03/13/2003 06:19 PM
ABF Internet Explorer Tools is a set of very useful plug-ins for the popular MS Internet Explorer browser. The software contains a tool bar, page browser, magnifier bar, and a set of additional commands, such as: refresh ignore cache, block popup window, and so on. This product is designed to help you to access any information from the World Wide Web easily.

Why You Should Dump Internet Explorer

Why You Should Dump Internet Explorer 06/16/2004 02:08 AM
Written by Daniel Miessler for LockergnomeThe time has come to dump Internet Explorer. I know, I know — you may have heard the same thing before from those that think it’s cool to hate Microsoft; but I’m not one of those guys. I’m actually an MCSE and I happen to like quite a few of Microsoft’s products. Rather than lump me into the Microsoft-basher category, consider for a moment why you use the browser you use, and humor me by entertaining the notion — if even for a second — that switching to another might be worth your while.My argument is simple: the benefits of using IE are too few - and the faults too great — to put off the adoption of an alternative any longer.SecuritySince information security is my hobby/job/obsession, this particular topic is near and dear to my heart. Just about everyone reading this has seen computers that have been beaten down with spyware - the evil junk that hijacks IE and renders a system virtually useless. How many times have you been called to a family member’s house to clean up their system? Or had to call your techie friend to come clean yours? It’s often quite awkward - the system slows to a crawl and every other mouse click conjures up some species of perverse, obscene image. What most people don’t realize, however, is that there is a very simple and powerful way to defend your system (and/or the systems of your loved ones) in one fell swoop.Don’t use Internet Explorer.What makes other browsers better than IE at protecting vs. spyware and other attacks? Well, it’s simple really - most other browsers don’t make it so easy to install malicious software on your system without you knowing about it. IE makes it relatively trivial through two features called ActiveX and Active Scripting. These technologies were designed specifically for the purpose of giving websites more control over a user’s computer. Unfortunately, as we have seen with exploit after exploit - that’s not always a good thing.In addition to the spyware issues, IE in general has had a terrible track record when it comes to all types of serious security issues. For years now, it’s seemed like every time you turn around there is a new way to have your computer taken over via Internet Explorer. Put “internet explorer” and “allow an attacker to execute commands” (with the quotes) into Google and you’ll see what I mean.In IE’s defense, many anti-Microsoft types will claim that it’s not possible to lock down IE at all. This is not true. It is possible — but if and only if you have a fair amount of technical know-how on the subject, and the time to do it. My personal view, however, is that tools such as Internet browsers should not require expertise and configuration time to be able to use them safely.StandardsThis is likely to get me in some hot water with my fellow security enthusiasts, but I find this issue to be of even more concern than that of IE’s security. The Internet works for one simple reason - everything at its core has been built on agreements that bind it together. Whether a computer is connected from California or Sri Lanka, it’s going to speak the same language and obey the same rules - the rules defined by standards. If this weren’t the case there would be no Internet at all. These agreements are forged by a body of people whose goal is nothing short of designing a better and more efficient Internet for everyone. Microsoft, for some odd reason, seems bent on breaking stride with these agreed-upon standards. Case in point: the next time you’re in a bookstore, head over to the technology section and pick up a book on XHTML or CSS. These are two major web standards that deal with how web pages are displayed to users, and within any book on the subjects you will find one common theme:The absolute worst browser when it comes to supporting the standards is Internet Explorer.Page after page in these books will reveal features supported in other browsers, but not in IE. Ask yourself why a company would choose not to support standards that benefit everyone? The way I see it, it’s for precisely one of two reasons — either they are unable to, or they don’t want to. Given the fact that they are a multi-billion dollar company (one of the richest on the planet), I can’t help but lean toward the second option. Without going into too much detail (See Longhorn), they have their own plans, and those plans involve implementing their own standard and forcing it upon the world. Call me a geek/hippie, but the idea of a multi-billion dollar corporation snubbing its nose at agreed-upon standards is nothing short of infuriating.OptionsLucky for us, we have alternatives. The good news is that the alternative browsers are actually as good or better than IE. There are many out there, but in my opinion the Mozilla products are the best. I personally prefer and recommend Mozilla Firefox. Not only does it keep your browsing sessions a lot more secure and spyware-free, but it also supports the standards religiously and has some a wide range of powerful features. Arguably the biggest benefit to using a Mozilla-based product is something called tabbed browsing. What this allows you to do is have multiple pages open within a single browser window. Rather than going from window to window in the taskbar, you can simply switch between clearly visible tabs, all within the same view. You can even do this and many other commands via the keyboard if you are into that sort of thing.Using Firefox will not require any major shift in your daily browsing habits. It’ll import your favorites automatically, and you can benefit from the improved security starting the first time you open it. With the popup blocking enabled, you can breath quite a bit easier when browsing to unknown sites. Attempts to install garbage on your system that could have easily succeeded if you were using IE will simply be ignored by Firefox. Plus, the whole time you’re browsing you’ll know that you are doing your part to keep the soul of the Internet alive by choosing to use a browser whose developers actually care about standards.Of course, I still use IE. (pause for effect) …it’s how I get my Windows security updates. : Seriously though - Windows Update is a must, and it only works in IE, so that in itself is a good reason to fire up IE once in a while. Aside from Windows Update though, there is still the occasional site that I go to that doesn’t look right in any other browser. Those sites, by the way, are all the more reason to not use IE. They weren’t written according to the standards, and they look bad in any browser other than IE as a result of that fact. Using IE all the time just because the occasional site is designed so poorly as to look like crap in other browsers is utterly bad form. I implore you not to give into this temptation.Wrapping It UpSo, in closing, I leave you with two thoughts: Due to the combination of ActiveX, scripting, and its integration with the Windows operating system, Internet Explorer is more vulnerable to attack than many other browsers. The designers of Internet Explorer have purposely turned their back on the standards designed to benefit the Internet as a whole. They have done this for years, continue to do it today, and appear to have nothing but their own interests at heart. I ask that you consider these points and pull down a copy of Firefox, Opera, or another alternative browser. Run it for a week and see how it feels. As mentioned above, I personally recommend Firefox due to its excellent development team and large user base. Once you have had some time to get to know your new onramp to the web, I think you’ll find that you’ll wish you had switched sooner. No longer will you have to worry about garbage clogging up your system because of your browser, or having to make a mad rush for a patch every time an IE vulnerability is released.Finally, and most importantly - spread the word. It’s time now for us to put alternative browsers on the map and let it be known that we are aware of our choices. We need not settle for what we are being fed when there are better, more secure alternatives out there.If you have any questions, feel my position is flawed, or would just like to give some feedback, I can be reached at daniel@dmiessler.com.

Goodbye, Internet Explorer

Goodbye, Internet Explorer 07/16/2004 01:54 AM

Well, the jury is in -- everybody from security firms to Microsoft's own online publications say that you're probably better off leaving Internet Explorer behind, and using Firefox as your browser.

If you're ready to give it a try, here's a Step-by-step guide to installing Firefox, and securing your system from Internet Explorer's security problems

"Internet Explorer for Macintosh"

"Internet Explorer for Macintosh" 12/22/2004 01:31 AM

Dumping Internet Explorer?

Dumping Internet Explorer? 07/07/2004 06:05 AM

Anomaly in Internet Explorer

Anomaly in Internet Explorer 06/14/2004 12:29 AM
Sydney Morning Herald Jun 14 2004 5:01AM GMT

Internet Explorer Blog

Internet Explorer Blog 08/27/2004 01:51 PM

This is old news, but worth posting: Microsoft's Internet Explorer team has a blog. I give them points for enablin g comments - a brave move considering the amount of garbage people post to other MS blogs and newsgroups.

Internet Explorer to shut down pop-ups

Internet Explorer to shut down pop-ups 11/11/2003 03:23 PM
Microsoft plans to add the ability to block pop-up Internet advertising in an update due out next year Microsoft plans to add pop-up blocking features to Internet Explorer next year as part of its Service Pack 2 update for Windows XP, in a move that would go a long way toward stamping out the Web advertisements.

10 new ways to speed up download time

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: obscure internet explorer speed tweaks