Considering switching to Firefox - help!

Whilst I do love Safari (over Explorer) I am interested in trying Firefox as everybody keeps on about how good it is!
I've had a basic look and it seems fairly similar (although i like the ability to add email alert links on the brower etc and a few other bells and whistles), However, what concerns me is exporting my favourites (i have loads!) if I decide to stick with firefox. I see it automatically imports favourites from 'Opera' but is there any utility or programs that allow you to export favs from safari to firefox and how easy is it?
Also how 'safe' is it? Considering it is open source - are there any issues with regard to this over a reliable developer like Apple?
Also what other advantages does Firefox have over safari - (i know a lot is about how you 'feel' for a program, but what else makes the switch worthwhile?)

B. Brooks
I have both browsers on my iMac and I have to say that Firefox is a very nice app. Having the ability to customize is also a benefit. I would agree with others that Firefox is very quick as well.
Having said that, I must admit that I prefer Safari. Safari loads faster (at launch), does seem to be more stable (although both are very stable browsers) and puts everything where I am used to having it.
Firefox used to load pages much faster than Safari (in my opinion) but the last Safari update seems (to me) to have significantly closed the gap. In the end, I find myself using both and enjoying both with the split being Safari 75% of the time and Firefox 25% of the time.
I think you would do well to have both loaded on your Mac and use both. They are both fine programs and having a choice between the two best browsers (again, my opinion) on your Mac is not the worst thing that could happen to you.
~M

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[[Importing bookmarks and other data from Internet Explorer]]
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I cannot receive audio from several of my internet music sites such as XM Radio online since switching to Firefox 4 Beta 1 - Help

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Considering switching to Mac

Hello everyone, i have been a PC/Windows user all of my life, and am now very seriously considering switching over to mac. However, i have some questions first that i cant seem to find a direct answer to, and apologize in advance for asking things that might seem like a stupid question... so, here goes:
1. If i were to switch over to the mac version of Microsoft Office, could i swap documents i created in Word with PC's and vice versa(all of the rest of my families computers are PCs as are my schools)without any problems? Would whatever that answer is be the same for any other Office apps like PowerPoint?
2. Am I correct that Safari is an internet browser?
3. Does iChat come with the Macs, or is it a seperate program you have to buy?
4. In iChat, can i still instant message all of my friends who use AIM on a PC and still use my old screen-name if i wanted to? What if i wanted to create a new AIM screen-name? do i just go to AIM.com, make a new one, and use it in iChat without actually downloading the AIM program?
5. I currently have AOL on my PC but, of course, it *****, and i hear it is even worse on a Mac, so i would just use Safari, but can i still keep my old @aol.com e-mail address and access my e-mail through aol.com? and if i wanted to, could i create a new @aol.com e-mail address using this same method?
6. Will i still be able to watch all the online videos that run using quicktime/real player/windows media player, on my mac?
7. Am i right in assuming that i can network my new mac and my old PC in order to move my iTunes library (in AAC format)
from the PC to the Mac? Just for the record, none of the music that i purchased from the iTunes store is "Protected" anymore because i burnt it to a cd and re-imported it, however the videos and tv shows that i bought from them im assuming are still protected, so how could i move THOSE to a my new mac?
Once again, i apologize that I have so many questions that probably seem pretty stupid, but i havent been able to find direct answers to these specific questions
I also want to say thank you in advance for any help anyone can give me, sorry im such a clueless PC user, but, hopefully, with these questions answered, i will be able to happily switch to mac.
Sony Windows XP
Sony Windows XP
Sony Windows XP

Hello,
switching over to mac. However, i have some
questions first that i cant seem to find a direct
I'll answer them as we go below:
1. If i were to switch over to the mac version of
Microsoft Office, could i swap documents i created in
Word with PC's and vice versa(all of the rest of my
families computers are PCs as are my schools)without
any problems? Would whatever that answer is be the
same for any other Office apps like PowerPoint?
Yes, all the documents will open and exchange between Microsoft Office for the Mac and Microsoft Office for the PC without trouble.
You can send and exchange them in either direction, and it will work fine.
My wife does just that with her computer. She uses Office for Windows at work and Office for Mac at home.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents move either direction without any trouble.
There is no Mac version of Access though.
Personally, I use the free NeoOffice program on my system:
http://www.neooffice.org/
It is also compatible with Microsoft Office. Everything exchanges back and forth in either direction without trouble.
I've exchanged a lot of documents with Office users who have PC's, and they've never had any trouble opening anything I've sent them, and I've never had any problems with anything they've sent me.
NeoOffice can also work with PowerPoint files as well. They've played just fine for me.
It exchanges / works with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
2. Am I correct that Safari is an internet browser?
Yes. It is the standard browser on the Mac. I personally prefer it. And, it works with every page I've tried it with. I use it full-time.
But, there are also versions of Opera, FireFox, Netscape, and many others, for the Mac if you want to use something different.
3. Does iChat come with the Macs, or is it a seperate
program you have to buy?
It comes standard on all Macs. It's part of OS X.
4. In iChat, can i still instant message all of my
friends who use AIM on a PC and still use my old
screen-name if i wanted to?
Yes. You just enter your AIM screen-name when you setup iChat. And, it works as expected from there.
iChat has been designed to work just fine with AIM accounts, and will allow you to talk to other AIM users without any hassle.
What if i wanted to
create a new AIM screen-name? do i just go to
AIM.com, make a new one, and use it in iChat without
actually downloading the AIM program?
Yes. Just do it at their website. That's how I did it.
5. I currently have AOL on my PC but, of course, it
*****, and i hear it is even worse on a Mac, so i
would just use Safari, but can i still keep my old
@aol.com e-mail address and access my e-mail through
aol.com? and if i wanted to, could i create a new
@aol.com e-mail address using this same method?
If you're talking about using Safari to go to the AOL site and use their webmail interface to check your e-mail, then yes that should work just fine.
6. Will i still be able to watch all the online
videos that run using quicktime/real player/windows
media player, on my mac?
Yes.
There are Mac versions of all of those programs. Quicktime comes with all Macs. But, you can download the others.
Windows Media Player has been discontinued, but it still works and can be downloaded from Microsoft's website.
There is also a plug-in to play Windows Media Players in Apple's Quicktime Player.
7. Am i right in assuming that i can network my new
mac and my old PC in order to move my iTunes library
(in AAC format)
from the PC to the Mac? Just for the record, none of
the music that i purchased from the iTunes store is
"Protected" anymore because i burnt it to a cd and
re-imported it, however the videos and tv shows that
i bought from them im assuming are still protected,
so how could i move THOSE to a my new mac?
You should be able to find all you need on that here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Those directions explain how to move them using your iPod. But, you could use the same basic method to move them over the network. Just substitute copying through the network for the part that addresses copying them into and from the iPod.
The rest should be about the same.
I also want to say thank you in advance for any help
anyone can give me,
You're quite welcome. Glad to help
Let us know if you have other questions.
P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on mine or any of the other posts / replies if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

Switching to firefox

trying to view my brother's transam blog that he created on mac.com in safari 1.3.2 on osx 10.3.9 and it shows no photos. pretty poor for a mac product. works fine on firefox - photos, slideshows, the works.
gets more like microsoft with every new OSX release - buy the new system or get no support. bah.

And your telling us why?
It works pretty well on mine. Safari... iWeb... my photo's look pretty good actually.
This is a user to user discussion board where people help each other with technical issues. And I'm trying to figure out what your specific issue is. Since you don't seem to have one... and since this is not the place to address Apple directly because this is a USER to USER discussion board, I would suggest you go to the Apple Feedback page to air your dissatisfaction.
gets more like microsoft with every new OSX release - buy the new system or get no support. bah.
"New System"? First of all, your brother's system is, ahem... kind of old. No shame in that. Which leads me to "No Support"? Considering your brothers set up, if there was any support to be had, this would've been the place to get it. But I guess your switching to firefox. Oh well.
Good Luck.
mwn
Message was edited by: much wiser now

As I type a web address in Firefox, Firefox Help opens before I can finish the address. How can I prevent this?

If I use bookmarks the browser works and on occasion I can type an address and have it work, but most times typing anything, even one key stroke; any keystroke, immediately opens Firefox Help.

Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode]] to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
*Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
You may also have a hardware problem with the keyboard like a sticky F1 key that still works in Firefox 3.6.
Please update Firefox to the latest version via "Help > About Firefox" or "Help > Check for Updates" 
The Firefox 3.6.2 version that you currently run is no longer supported with security updates.
You can find the latest Firefox release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:
*Firefox 10.0.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html
*Firefox 3.6.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all-older.html

Considering switching to PC, can I import my itunes library?

I am considering switching to a windows PC from a Mac, it is time for a new laptop and I can get a decent windows PC for less than half of a comparable Mac. My one concern is my Itunes library, which is on my Ibook. Can I transfer this to a new windows laptop and what would I have to do? I have a pretty extensive collection, (1000+ songs), so transferring them one by one would be a huge pain, is there an easy way to transfer them "en mass"? Thanks!

You can move the files with an external hard drive or with an iPod, provided the disk is formatted for use with a PC so that it can be read by both the PC and the Mac. (A Mac can read a disk formatted for both, however, a PC can only read a disk formatted for Windows).
This document explains using the iPod:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329
You can use the same steps if substituting a flash drive or a hard drive for the iPod, minus those that require seeing the drive in iTunes.
You can also use the built-in iTunes backup and restore disks, if it makes it easier. On your iBook, launch iTunes and choose File > Back Up to Disc. It will estimate how many CDs or DVDs are needed (depending on your computer's burning capabilities) and then you can decide whether this is a viable option for you. Once the first disc is burned, you'd want to insert it to your new PC with iTunes open and choose the same File > Back Up to Disc. You'll then be prompted to restore your library from the backup disc in your drive (which is what you'd want to do).
Hope this is helpful
CG

Why not switch from Firefox 3 to Tiger (10.4.11) Safari?

I prefer to use one browser. When I had Panther I used Safari until problems occurred with some sites, so I switched to Firefox 2. I upgraded to OS 10.4.11, mainly to use FF3, which I'm now using.
The problem is, I like the AutoFill feature of Safari. FF3 doesn't have it. But, it seems Safari is not updated as frequently as FF3 re: security issues. So, I guess the choice is between better security vs. AutoFill. Right?
As to AutoFill, a member of my Mac user group said, "Who is to say there isn't some exploit found someday, and they can grab the saved contents of what goes in your Autofill?" He's a knowledgeable Mac guy & I don't take his input lightly. He uses FF, btw.
I prefer Safari & am asking you if there is any reason not to switch to it from FF3, which seems the browser of choice for a lot of people. I'll keep FF3 in my apps folder. BTW, I've used Safari in earlier versions for years & never had a security issue, AT LEAST THAT I'M AWARE OF.
So, I guess it's like I said: Do I want security, or do I want AutoFill? Maybe this is a false issue & I'd like some expert advice on this.

Hi David,
Do I want security, or do I want AutoFill?
Ideally, both Firefox does have a level of autofilling, for example it will autofill usernames and passwords, but I'm guessing you are referring to the filling in of your name, address etc when filling out some forms?
As to AutoFill, a member of my Mac user group said, "Who is to say there isn't some exploit found someday, and they can grab the saved contents of what goes in your Autofill?"
True, I don't disagree with that, but the same applies to Firefox's autofill feature as well. I know both Safari and Firefox encrypt their autofill databases but other than that I don't know if one is 'more secure' than the other. The only way to be 100% safe is to not use autofill in either browser - at the end of the day it boils down to convenience versus security.
But, it seems Safari is not updated as frequently as FF3
I think that's more a perception thing than anything else. True, Safari updates do come around a bit less frequently than Firefox, but Apple do release periodic Security Updates and these do correct security issues in WebKit which is the engine that drives Safari.
Both are fine browsers. If you prefer Safari, I'd say go for it. I don't think either is more insecure than the other. If you twisted my arm, I'd say Firefox might be at a tiny bit greater risk simply because of it's popularity compared to Safari (and therefore a juicier target) - but that's just my opinion!
Hope some of that helps.

"Creative ZenCast" in Firefox help window?

<img height="456" alt="Zencast on Firefox[/img] align="right" src="http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/08/zencast.png" width="305">I'm using firefox, when I view help --> about for Firefox, I see the usual copyright and then the browser version information, however the last line is about ZenCast. I don't use ZenCast (I'm happy with Juice), and it was only installed in the package of creative software, why should it show up on firefox, are creative trying to track my version somehow using the browser. How do I get rid of this?
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.; en-GB; rv:.9.0.8) Gecko/2009032609 Firefox/3.0.8 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) Creative ZENcast v2.0.0

? the creativ zen cast tag is not only in the firefox help window, it'ss part of the user agent string and can be seen by every web site you visit. See this very interesting query and test of the eff.org which shows that you can be easily be identified just by your user agent string. http://panopticlick.eff.org/ If you got the Creative ZENcast version number - which is quite rare - your browser leaves a quite individual mark in every logfile of every website you visit. Remedy : Reset the user agent string: http://support.mozilla.com/de/kb/Web...20user%20agent Remedy 2: Install Firefox Addon "User Agent Switcher"

I can't open links like "sign in" "search for firefox help" "my account" this is a suddenly problem

Firefox has been working fine. Today, I cannot sign into AOL, or Craigslist. I can't click on anything at the top of the page or on the side. I couldn't click into the search box for Firefox help.

Clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.
"Clear the Cache":
*Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Offline Storage (Cache): "Clear Now"
"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:
*Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Cannot+log+in+to+websites
Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode]] to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
*Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

My down and up arrow buttons for scrolling don't work except on the firefox help page, it worked fine with chrome?

I had google chrome before I switched to firefox due to the obsessive popups on chrome. All of a sudden the up and down keys don't scroll up and down on web pages, the only one they work on is the firefox help page. Any thoughts?

In order to be able to find the correct solution to your problem, we require some more non-personal information from you. Please do the following:
*Click the Firefox button at the top left, then click the ''Help'' menu and select ''Troubleshooting Information'' from the submenu. If you don't have a Firefox button, click the Help menu at the top and select ''Troubleshooting Information'' from the menu.
Now, a new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
*At the top of the page, you should see a button that says "Copy text to clipboard". Click it.
*Now, go back to your forum post and click inside the reply box. Press Ctrl+V to paste all the information you copied into the forum post.
If you need further information about the Troubleshooting information page, please read the article [[Use the Troubleshooting Information page to help fix Firefox issues]].
Thanks in advance for your help!

Why have many of my add-ons and extensions been disabled after switching to firefox 6

Many of my add-ons and extensions have been disabled after switching to Firefox 6.
None of the Java extensions can be used;
my Microsoft frame is disabled;
my media player is gone;
and my google toolbar with all of my important bookmarks is missing.
How can Firefox 6 be considered an "upgrade"?
How can I '''retrieve Firefox 4 or 5'?''--there's no point in using a browser that limits so many necessary add-on sites!

Hi, mhaoo7--
Tried your plugins updating suggestion; no go.
Then tried updating to FF7.
This time the Yahoo! toolbar was no longer compatible with FF.
Scoured sites discussing problems with versions 6 & 7
and decided to retire to version 3.6.19.
Now both Google and Yahoo! toolbars are re-installed and
working....Only deficit may be that FF no longer supports or
soon will not support this version.
I have stashed all of my necessary bookmarks on Google's toolbar;
I like its drop-down menu as it doesn't change the page/window I'm
in the process of using;
I don't want to see that menu listed separately in a new window (too chaotic).
Same for the Google dictionary and Thesaurus, which are straightforward
and easy to use, again requiring nothing more complicated than a drop-down menu
to search for words and concepts.
--I checked Firefox 6 and 7's Dictionary/Thesaurus options but unfortunately
found none.
So if Firefox continues to upgrade with diminished returns, I'll likely have to go
to Google Chrome.
Would rather not do that.
Maybe I can keep FF 3.6.19 without incurring nasty repercussions.
Hope so.
Have enjoyed being with Firefox for a few years.
Thank you for your attention.
marlem388

Since switching to Firefox this week, when I click on a hyperlink in an e-mail in Outlook, I get this message, "General failure. An error occurred in sending the command to the application." It doesn't open a new window or do anything.

Since switching to Firefox this week, when I click on a hyperlink in an e-mail in Outlook, I get this message, "General failure. An error occurred in sending the command to the application." It doesn't open a new window or do anything. Any work around to fix this?

See this lnk for a fix, it worked for me!
http://www.pcworld.com/article/200103/fix_outlook_general_failure_error_for_email_links.html

I can no longer get my complete bank statements online, and my bank blames the Safari update and tells me to switch to Firefox. Is there no other solution?

I can no longer get my complete bank statements online, and my bank blames the latest Safari update and tells me to switch to Firefox. Is there no other solution?

I would feel dreadful If I thought had caused you a problem. The warnings about Java are fully justified but providing you are communicating with a known source, and as I said, you disable it the moment you have finished, you should be safe.
It might also be worth asking your bank what problem they have and would it be the same if you were using Firefox, for example.
Like you, I am very security minded, in fact I won't even put my bank details on my Mac let alone run my account that way.

Considering switching to Firefox - help!

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