The Web Browser Comparison Computer Science Essay

In this assignment, I am going to discuss about the comparison between web browsers. First, what is a web browser exactly. Actually it is a software application for retrieving, presenting and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. Not only that, it can be also defined as an application software or program designed to enable users to access, retrieve and view documents and other resources on the Internet. Internet has enormous of information. We can find out any information in internet. By going to the internet, we require web browser to show us the information such as text, image, video, sound and graphic. Web browser would arrange the information well and present to user in an orderly manner. Browsers are primarily planned to use the World Wide Web, however they can also be used to access information provided by web servers in private networks or files in file systems. The major web browsers are Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari

History

In 1991, the first web browser was released by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. It was named WorldWideWeb and was later renamed to Nexus to avoid confusion with www system. It was the first graphical web browser and WYSIWTG HTML editor.

In 1993, browser software was further revolutionized by Marc Andreessen and with the release of Mosaic (later Netscape), It is the world’s first popular browser which made the World Wide Web system easy to use and more accessible to the typical person. The introduction of Mosaic became one of the first graphical web browsers which led to an explosion in web use. Andreessen who the leader of the Mosaic team at NCSA has soon started his own company, named Netscape, and released the Mosaic-influenced Netscape Navigator in 1994, which rapidly became the world’s most common browser, accounting for 90% of all web use at its peak.

In 1995, Microsoft responded the release of Navigator with its own browser, called Internet Explorer. It is heavily influenced by Mosaic, initiating the industry’s first browser war. Then, Internet Explorer gained dominance in the web browser market; Internet Explorer usage share peaked at over 95% by 2002.

Opera debuted in 1996

Although it has never did widespread use, having less than 2% browser usage share as of February 2012 according to Net Applications. Its Opera-mini version focused on the fast-growing mobile phone web browser market, being preinstalled on over 40 million phones. It is also obtainable on several other embedded systems, as well as Nintendo’s Wii video game console.

In 1998, Netscape start the open source Mozilla project to develop the next generation of Communicator. That browser would sooner or later evolve into Firefox, which developed a respectable following while still in the beta stage of development. As of August 2011, Firefox has a 28% usage share.

Apple’s Safari had its first beta release in January 2003

Apple joins the scene with the release of Safari. It introduces a solid layout engine called Webkit which has been adopted into many mobile devices including Google and Nokia phones.

In 2006, Internet Explorer 7 is released after five years of IE 6, adopting some features from its open source competition such as tabbed browsing and anti-phishing protection.

The most recent major applicant to the browser market is Chrome.

Google launches its own web browser in 2008. Chrome’s take-up has increased significantly year on year, by doubling its usage share from 8% to 16% by August 2011. In December 2011, Chrome overhauled Internet Explorer 8 as the most widely used web browser.

Objective

The objective of this research is to determine the advantage within web browsers. Nowadays, there are countless of web browser software application is available to every one of online users. The most major web browsers are Google Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. As it has too much of web browsers is available, I only choose to discuss about the 3 major web browsers which I mention above. There are many factors affect users to determine which of the browsers they choose use. Among those factors, I have chosen 5 of them to discuss. First is Feature. A web browser should offer useful, convenient features that make surfing the web easier and faster. For example, a browser should provide tabbed browsing, an integrated search engine and customizable toolbar. For a more humanize web experience, the browser should also provide the ability to save bookmarks, set parental controls and create RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds. Generally speaking, the more features an internet browser provides, the better. The second is Security. While online security measures have come a long way since the beginning of the internet, the web is still widespread with security risks to hack our electronic data. Security features like privacy settings, pop-up blocker and antispyware enable security on internet and help keep private information such as passwords secure. The third factor is Speed and Compatibility. Web browsers should load fast and be well-suited with all major operating systems. A top internet browser will load between pages within only a few seconds. Fourth factor is Ease of Use. The best internet browsers are those that have a smooth balance between features and ease of use. While features on a web browser are important, they become valueless if a browser’s interface hinders your capability to use them. The last factor is Help and Support. Although some internet browsers are open source and therefore not enhanced with dedicated technical support, I still considered the quality of support options available. When it comes to internet browsers, available support can come in many forms, from FAQs to tutorials, email support to a product manual.

Comparison of Web Browsers

This chart shown that the first rating web browser is Google Chrome, followed by Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari. There must be factors why these web browsers could get this rating.

Feature Set

Google Chrome

The latest version of Chrome is packed with highly convenient features, including tabbed browsing, synchronization, and privacy functions. By using personal Google account, Chrome can sync your bookmarks, browser preferences and extensions. Therefore, those things will available on any computer once you sign in. This is advantageous because it allows you to easily access your own add-ons and preferences without counting on what computer you are using.

Chrome’s tabbed browsing, tabbed browsing is the capability to speedily switch between a number of open webpages within one Web browser window by clicking on tabs. Tabs appear in the browser window when more than one webpage is opened. By clicking on a tab the user switches that page up front for quick viewing. Tabbed browsing is extremely useful when you are reading a webpage and would like to click a link without losing your current page. After reading the link you can close the tab or just go back to the previous page, keeping both pages available. Tabbed browsing eradicates the need to frequently reload pages or use the “back” button.

Chrome also provides a feature which is privacy browsing. The browser provide incognito mode, which doesn’t track your browsing as you surf internet. Once you enter with incognito mode, it also deletes cookies and passwords from that session. You can open in normal mode and in incognito mode in a browser simultaneously.

Another innovative feature that came out by Google is task manager. Google takes from traditional operating systems and put on to internet browsing. You can open the online task manager and observer how much computer memory are running by each websites and applications.

Not only that, Google Chrome also got automatic updates, RSS feeds and a password manager. The browser does not offer any parental controls and probably won’t in future versions as Google has said that there are other ways to monitor internet use, and there are already numerous third-party applications that exist for monitoring.

Mozilla Firefox

Just like many other major web browsers, Mozilla Firefox has synchronization feature, tabbed browsing which allowing you to quickly switch between webpages in a single window.

The find-on-page is a function that allows you to find a word or phrase on a certain webpage without difficulty. Firefox sets the feature right on the bottom of the browser so you don’t have to handle the pop-up window. The internet browser also has a voice interaction add-on. The feature allows you to browse the internet with voice commands.

Firefox is an ideal browser for college students and other persons who do research online. Mozilla has designed a virtual sticky note which is a feature exclusive to Firefox. You can add your own notes to particular webpages and access them through the toolbar. You can also access your saved bookmarks, archived browsing history and pinned apps. The “pin as app tab” feature lets you to save commonly visited websites like Facebook or your web-based email and drag an icon on the toolbar. That way, you can easily visit them without opening a new tab.

The browser’s innovative Smart Location Bar will adapt to your use and preferences. This convenient tool makes it easy to return to websites you previously visited, even if you do not remember the exact URL. It also supports you find sites based on titles and content. Firefox also consist pop-up blocker, password manager as well as parental controls. Not only that, it also have the feature that is drag-and-drop functionality, which offer you to drag text or a link from anyplace on a web page and put it directly into your search bar.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer has offers several features to improve browsing. The browser uses tabs and when you open a new one, it suggests links based on your previous browsing history. The browser also has a box for both searching and website addresses as well as full combination with Windows 7. For instance, you can make what the browser calls a jump list which is the list of your most frequently visited websites pinned to your taskbar. In the same way, you can select an individual tab and drag it to your toolbar.

There are four different categories of add-ons provided by Internet Explorer: security, time savers, browsers and entertainment. You will find a number of downloads in each category, each with a description. Major are free, but some you will have to purchase.

However, internet browser does not have spell check and integrated download manager, therefore downloads will appear in a pop-up window. And different to some of the other internet browsers we studied, Internet Explorer is not open-source. Open source means the software is made and maintained by a network of users. The coding is made available to everyone, and volunteer software programmers are encouraged to improve it.

Security

Google Chrome

Chrome is made to keep you harmless and more secure on the web with built-in malware and phishing protection. Chrome also has auto-updates feature to confirm you have all the latest security fixes, and more. When you navigate to a website suspected of phishing or containing malware, the internet browser displays a warning. The browser also has auto-updates to make sure your security features stay current without any action on your part, and it applies the sandboxing method. Sandboxing is software that helps block malware and isolates what happens in one tab from affecting the others, so once you close a tab, that process is absolutely ended. Sandboxing is an effective method for stopping malware from installing itself on your computer and monitoring your online activities.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox has integrated private browsing. You can simply enable and disable the private mode. Furthermore, different from other browser privacy modes, there is no visible icon on the interface when in private mode. Mozilla Firefox protects against viruses, malware, spyware and phishing sites as well as pop-ups. Automatic updates are also available, so your browser is always up-to-date on the latest security fixes. You also can modify your security settings and control the level of security placed on sites and customize settings for cookies, downloads, passwords and add-ons.

An additional impressive security feature the internet browser owns is the one-click site info. You can simply click on the site in the address bar to view important safety information. You can simply delete your personal information, including history, cookies, passwords and web-form entries with the click of a button. Remove all traces of visited website is also available.

Internet Explorer

One thing Internet Explorer has but many competing browsers lack of is parental controls. You can control the content that access by kids and use the integrated reporting tools to control their activity. For privacy, like normal, the Internet Explorer also provides private browsing. You can surf the web without the browser having a history, cookies or temporary internet files.

The internet browser also does a good job of against in spyware, viruses and phishing schemes. A cross site scripting filter is applied to prevent attacks from duplicitous websites that trying to get personal and financial information. Internet Explorer also uses sandboxing which is a security technique in which all the browser tabs function as independent processes. This can avoids happen crashed tab that can taking down the entire browser.

Speed & Compatibility

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is abnormally fast. In fact, this internet browser is the fastest of all major browsers. During Chrome timed trials, Chrome initialized for the first time within seconds, as it did the same during the following times we launched the web browser. Navigation time is extraordinarily fast as well.

Google has made the Chrome very well-suited with the internet. Chrome was especially designed for quickly and efficiently loads display and conduct with the enormous array of applications on the web.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox has always been recognizing as fast internet browser. It beats most of the other web browsers. Firefox has no problem quickly navigating from page to page and yet provides a fluid web browsing experience from start to finish and boasts compatibility across the web. Furthermore, Firefox is fully well-appointed to multi-touch gestures.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer’s speed is highly competitive. It is not the fastest internet browser we look over, but initiate the application and navigating between pages took less than five seconds. Internet Explorer does not exist any compatibility problem, as the browser supports all current and developing web standards.

Ease of Use

Google Chrome

Most internet browsers are built for function over form, but Google Chrome is a web browser that do well in both. The layout is clean, intuitive and tidy, and Chrome able to achieve a level of simplicity which other internet browsers lack of. Its features are undoubtedly designed for efficiency and ease of use. Moreover, the browser lets you to conveniently create shortcuts to web applications you frequently use, which you can placed on your desktop for quick and easy access. When the browser has multiple tabs open, it would become smaller as more are open.

Mozilla Firefox

Quite similar to the other top-rated internet browsers, Firefox is well organized and intuitive. The browser has an interface that easy to use and stocked with the essentials. Firefox features are great and useful, yet simple and available. Firefox has numerous extra features that advance improve usability. A fully integrated spell-checker lets users to work directly on the web and still have spell check. One more great utility is an automatic session restore. When Firefox reopens, you can proceed where you left off, even if the browsers have closed unexpectedly or by accident. Session restore can even return text that you were writing in an email and also download in progress. The browser interface integrates perfectly with Firefox download manager. Download manager offers an ability to pause the download and then continuous where you left off. This resume function is even accessible after a system restart.

Internet Explorer

Likely to our other top-notch internet browsers, this one is clean and easy to use. Basic web navigation is intuitive, and the browser’s navigation controls are simplified. There is one thing special about Internet Explorer which is Notification Bar. Instead of dialog boxes opening in separate windows, all notification messages are merged in the Notification Bar, located at the very bottom of the window. You do not have to act on the notifications straightaway, they remain in the bar until you take action.

Help & Support

Google Chrome

Google Chrome has an in-depth help center that offers support in all sorts of categories. A lot of resources are provided by help center to help new users started, and advanced users fully customize their browsing experience. Help forum is there provided by Google where users can post issues and interacts with other users as well as giving useful feedback for other users who experiencing same issues.

Mozilla Firefox

As usual, a lot of useful online documentation, including FAQs, a knowledgebase and a tutorial is provided by Mozilla. The knowledgebase is searchable and consist of standard help. Not only that, there is also personalized help which in the form of live chat with the Firefox community. Direct support via email is also available.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer has the best help and support while reviewing internet browsers. On its website, you would find in-depth documentation, tutorials and FAQs. You can simply search the online resources by keyword. Internet Explorer is also one of the only internet browsers that is enhanced with direct technical support. Personal assistance via email and telephone are provided by Microsoft.

Analysis and Critical Comments

Browsers

Factors

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Internet Explorer

Feature Set

Tabbed Browsing

Add-ons

Integrated Search Engine

Save Tabs

Customization Options

Customization Options

Bookmarks

RSS Feeds

Zoom

Find-On Page Function

Password Manager

Auto fill

Automatic Updates

Synchronize

Spell Check

Seamless Download Manager

Open-Source Development

Parental Controls

Mouse Gestures

Voice Interaction

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Security

Pop-up Blocker

Clear Data

Anti-Spyware

Anti-Virus

Anti-Phishing

Private Mode

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Help and Support

Online Knowledgebase

User Manual/User Guide

User Forums

FAQs

Tutorials

Email Support

Telephone Support

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Compatibility

Windows 8

Windows 7

Windows Vista

Windows XP

Mac OS

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Speed

Initial Startup Time

Average Startup Time

Navigation Time

4

6.3

4.3

4.3

6.3

4

4.4

5.7

4.5

Conclusion

In my conclusion, there is always some difference between these several browsers. However, each browser has strengths and weaknesses. There is hardly to find a perfect and seamless web browser. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer all have its good and bad. Most of us here are preferred using Google Chrome, it is because, compare to Firefox 4 and IE9, it was unquestionably the fastest browser. Though Chrome is now leading the web browser, IE and Firefox also have strengthened its performance and offering new features that benefit and contribute to users.

For the long term, we could not claim a strong victor here as all three major browsers provide a solid browsing experience with few downsides. Things are heating up in the browser world.