Tech Notes from the Field

I have been playing with browsers in the “free” time.  My favorite is still Firefox 3.6.12.  What I have looked at is Google Chrome (which I use at work currently), Firefox 4.o beta, and IE 9 beta.  Here is what I am finding so far on the betas:

Firefox 4:  SLOW.  Really SLOW.  Now this could be that they are gathering information on “habits” or just work in general, but I have a very difficult time multitasking with this version.  I have Google Apps open (or in-house email).  If I have some desktop application running, like Access, and then try to browse for information, Firefox just crawls.  I don’t know if it is the email checking every so many minutes or what, but I got so annoyed that I stopped using the 4.0 beta.  At home I use 3.6.12 and it works just fine.

IE9 beta:  Much quicker than expected, I was beginning to like this browser. It was taking me some time to get used to it.  I was starting to use it exclusively when in the past I only used it at the Microsoft site only.  Then, I clicked on a link and nothing happened.  Odd, I thought.  Must be something wrong with the site.  I switched browsers and the link worked.  I went back to IE.  Nope.  No go on clicking the link.  It began to do this more and more.  I cleared the cache.  Still no good.  I checked it with Firefox 3.6.12 and Chrome.  No problem.  What up Microsoft?  I am giving it a rest for a couple of days, then I will try again.

Chrome:  Works really well.  I feel Google is tracking every move I make, but the browser is working for all my needs at the moment.  I am having a hard time dealing with the interface as I cannot find all the settings nor can I find plugins (extensions) that work the way they did in Firefox.  I find that annoying because I am annal when it comes to my processes.  Currently I have 3 tabs open without issue and I created an application shortcut to my email.  I started Last.FM to see how we all play together.  So far so good.

This is what I want:  I want my Firefox interface with the speed of IE9 and the resource management of Chrome.  Can this be done? Anyone?

What browser do you use and why?

12/2:  Working with FF 4.0 beta7 again.  I tried to administer the Tieline Bridge-IT and I get the following:  “Your current browser is not setup to allow the G5 Toolbox to load and run.”  I have the proper Java.  I have a newer browser.  Either Tieline needs to update something, or Firefox has an issue.  IE9 brings up a screen “Loading”, but nothing occurs.  I did see it start the Java platform, but seems to just hang.  Chrome is starts Java.  I get an “unverified application warning” and then comes up just fine.

Looks to me like the newer browsers and Java don’t play well together.  How are your tests going?