E n c y c l o p e d i a

Which browser is the best? It's kind of like asking which vegetable is the best - some people like carrots, others prefer string beans, and still others favor Keanu Reeves. But while browser choice is largely a matter of what's been forced down your throat, individual browsers perform different tasks better than their rivals.

What is a browser? Browsers are software programs that allow you to see Web pages. The biggest breakdown in browsers is between graphical browsers (such as INTERNET EXPLORER and NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR) and non-graphical browsers (such as LYNX). Graphical browsers let you to see pictures, non-graphical browsers just show text. Since pages of text don't accurately describe a popular Web destination such as Pamela Anderson, we're going to stick with graphical browsers.

Why would you want more than one browser, since they're really very similar? One reason is that Web designers often format their pages so they can download faster, look better and work more efficiently with a particular browser. You may have come across a sign while surfing saying something like: "This document is designed to be viewed using Netscape 2.0's Frame features." Another reason is that as big companies like Microsoft and Netscape, and smaller ones like NEOPLANET and NETCAPTOR attempt to gain a competitive edge over each other, they introduce features that are incompatible with other browsers. A final note: As of printing, IE 5 is the fastest browser available.


Quick tips: Website owners, make sure you keep track of whether new features are compatible with most browsers - or risk having a site that looks great to only some of your audience.

GemKey magazin,
July-August 1999