With traditional desktop applications, you had to install a specific type of software on your computer to run a specific type of program- like Microsoft Word. If you got a new computer or wanted to get the latest version of Word, you had to buy a new copy. And there were still no guarantees that your Word documents would be compatible with everyone else's.
Web browsers have evolved differently. There are versions available for every computer. They are based on standards (or are supposed to be) so you can use any browser you like. They can do many different jobs. They're regularly updated and improved. But most of all- they are FREE!!!
But despite the fact they cost nothing, a relatively large percentage of web surfers in the world use old browsers. The main offender is Internet Explorer from Microsoft, primarily because Microsoft has not made it easy enough for users to upgrade. And unfortunately version 6 of Internet Explorer is widely accepted as one of the most poorly written pieces of software of all time!
But the solution is simple: download the latest version of a web browser and enjoy the best of what Site Caddy and the web have to offer! Here is a list of the major players in the market, as well as my 2 cents on which are the best.
Firefox from Mozilla
Download: http://www.firefox.com
Current % of market: 47.7%
My Opinion: The best browser available.
Internet Explorer from Microsoft
Download: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
Current % of market: Approximately 40% for all versions
My Opinion: Version 8 is a great improvement but still lags behind.
Chrome from Google
Download: http://www.google.com/chrome/
Current % of market: 5.5%
My Opinion: A great entry into the browser wars, and surely a force to be reckoned with.
Opera from Opera Software Company
Download: http://www.opera.com
Current % of market: 2.2%
Opinion: Well worth a look.
Safari from Apple
Download: http://www.apple.com/safari/download/
Current % of market: 3.0%
Opinion: Clean and elegant like all Apple products, but still not best option for Windows users.
Other Contenders
iPhone: Many people now surf the web from their iPhone
Netscape: No longer in production- switch to Firefox.
AOL Explorer from America Online: If you're an AOL subscriber and you absolutely have to...
So get the most out of the web and your Site Caddy account: download the latest browsers (especially if you are using Internet Explorer v6) and get surfing. And since their free, feel free to try them all out and see what you like the best!
