It seems as of late, I am getting a handful of people asking me or telling me, that they have gone back to Internet Explorer. For one reason or another, it always seems to point to security. I say this because the main complaint that I hear are things like, "It blocks too much", and "it doesn't remember my passwords". The simple fact is that yes, it may block MORE then Internet Explorer and yes, it may not save your passwords, but that is because they have elected to make this a separate option available through a third party password manager system, which in my opinion is great, since now you have the ability to use a separate password manager program that does a very good job of keeping these things safe. As for the blocking too much, simply choose not to use the pop up blocker then! But to take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle then place the pros and cons to each browser, I truly can not see any reason why you would go back, other then because you "just like the old fashioned way of doing things". Now I am not making slight of this, however, those that are stuck in time, should really think about their first experience with a computer and to where they are today. It isn't because of people like you! It is because of people with forward thinking that keep technology moving and the human thinker thinking. The simple fact is that Internet Explorer 7 is soon to be released to the public for real and not in beta form, but for those that have tried the beta form will tell you that IE7 is nothing like the internet explorer you are currently using. So to think you have long before you will be forced to change your ways, only makes sense to see what your options are. This is the number one reason why I have found and have stuck with Avant Browser, because it is completely interchangeable to the likings of each individual. You don't have to use the tabbed windows, you don't have to use the pop up blocker. As for security, heck, you can turn it off so that you are flying by the seat of your pants if you want to, just as you can in most computer programs, you have the ability to make adjustments, some programs more then others, but you should have some control to what it looks like. Did you even know you can skin Avant Browser?
I guess I shouldn't make this in to a plug for a different browser then what the title of this blog is about, but the simple fact at hand for now is that IE 7 has NOT been released other then in Beta form and for anyone that has used beta software before knows that the final thing typically is quite different in many ways. Yes, I am sure you will be able to make IE7 look and feel much like the old one as this is common for any Microsoft product to include the "classic" button somewhere within the options. Regardless of this, IE7 is not IE6 which is currently what peoples choice is to use, other then some other type of browser and simply because I happened to be using and promoting Avant isn't because I like the way it works personally as much as I see how much LESS problems from resulting trojan horse viruses that I end up cleaning out of my clients computers. It is quite laughable really, when I look at two clients which I might consider similar in internet/computer uses and the one with the forward thinking has always had fewer major bug problems then the one that is shall I say, afraid to change. Okay so if you are one of these people, shame on you! No, really I am kidding, of course you are allowed to think and do as you like, and that is the beauty of being able to change or make changes, to your own individual needs or.... Not! All I might say to you is don't be afraid! It is also you that is the eager one to use something that you have been using for a long time, only now you understand a specific feature of it and are totally in love with it. This is what I see when I simply make a change in the options, explaining things to that person and to see how they smile and can't believe "how much easier that is"... Yes, believe it or not, most changes that you see are not because the designers/engineer of the program wanted to be difficult and hard to get along with, but because of YOU, the user that tests the betas and as you use the program and send in your complaints or questions on how to do this or that. This is why you see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) at most website product manufacturers, because they are faced with so many.
For me, I guess I can only go by my own experiences and by that in which I see on a day to day basis with my "repairing" of problem computers. It is for this reason that I have a website that is virtually full of TIPS and SOFTWARE/SUPPORT that in some way will help you enjoy your computer usage time all that much more. Yes, I have admitted that I am a geek and, yes, it actually now feels good in admitting that. For years I would say "no, I'm not a geek, sure I love gadgets and technology, but that doesn't make me a geek does it?" We all have to be labeled with something and I guess that can be my curse just as it can be a gift. Because I only like to see people enjoy, excel, be entertained when using technology, I also like to see it being used by people of all ages. One thing I like to do is measure time and age with technology by either pointing to a device and going back to when it was first invented (or brought in to your own user experience for point in measuring then and now). For example, if you were asked a question that required you to do some research on it, what would be your first method of finding it? If you answer, to look it up in the encyclopedia, then odds are you probably don't use the computer all that much! And by this, I certainly am not trying to slight you again in any way, simply to point out that your brain automatically reaches for what it knows! To a child, ask them what an encyclopedia is, and they won't know that answer, because in most new parent homes, they won't have a set of encyclopedias for their children to grow up using for homework assignments, since the computer/laptop is showing up in virtually every room in the house through wireless home networking. Why shouldn't it be like this for all things in technology. Much like the hair dryer is in todays society, there are those that towel dry their hair even if there is a device that can do it for them, there will always be people that are quite content to stay using something they are familiar with. That is never going to be a fault that I would say of someone, but to not honestly weigh the pros to the cons when knowing that things have and will always be changing is simply not acceptable.
If you are a staunch IE6 user, good for you, but when IE7 comes out and has been out for say, 8 or 10 months and you have been using it, I will ask you read what I have said today in this blog and see where you see yourself on the geek scale!
1: you have gone back and continue to use ie 6, something you will do for as long as you can
2: you have accepted the new look and feel and are quite happy with the IE7
3: you have actually gone back to Avant Browser, now that you have had a chance to use IE7 and didn't know that you could actually go back to IE6 (at least until it is no longer functioning which will happen when you attempt to visit a website and it tells you that certain features are not visible or available without upgrading your browser)
4: you have switched to some other browser since you were frustrated with IE7 and knew that you didn't want to have to go back to Avant because you didn't like it either.
5. You have been using Avant Browser as your main browser because you like it, and have given IE7 a try and use it on occasion just like you did with IE6
If you find yourself wanting to switch back to something, in this case Internet Explorer, certainly do it and never feel bad doing it, if you have a reason, any reason whatsoever, that is your right. From those that use my computer services, this blog is also part of those services, where I hope to either give you the heads up on something to look out for, good or bad, when it comes to technology. The computer is only one part of technology albeit a key part, communication is what I consider the key to everything good!
