One of the things I've learned about internet use as a web designer, is how important it is to have a good, up-to-date web browser. Your computer came with Internet Explorer installed but did you know you have a choice about what browser to use? There are many out there and many versions of each brand, too. And you can have more than one browser installed on your computer.

Having an up-to-date browser is a good thing because it means safe computing, and an added benefit is that web pages should display better. If you're using an old browser version and looking at a newly built website, it's possible that you're not seeing it as the author intended. Web display standards are constantly evolving and so browsers change with new advancements.

If you are using a browser that came with your computer and that computer is more than two years old, you need to update your browser. Do you see a yellow shield with an exclamation point in the bottom right corner of your window? That's telling you about updates to install for your Microsoft operating system and you may have a notice there to update your browser. Go ahead and click on it and follow the instructions.

But if you would like to expand your horizons and see what else is out there, consider some other choices. First of all, you could try the latest version of Internet Explorer, Version 8, which is still in Beta form. When it's totally ready, you'll be notified down where that shield is. But here's the link in case you want to try it now or upgrade to Version 7: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

Another possibility is another beta version but this is a new entrant into the browser contests - Google! Yes, this popular search engine is getting ready to release their browser. It's called Chrome and it's different than anything else out there. Follow this link to learn more about it and decide for yourself if you would like to try it: http://www.google.com/chrome

My favorite browser, one that I use all the time, is Firefox. Firefox has lots of cool free add-ons like a weather bar that can go on the bottom of your browser. You can even change the theme of your Firefox browser, give it a different look than their standard issue. But more on that in another article. For now, here's the link to the latest Firefox, Version 3: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Have fun exploring these three of many browsers, update the one you're using or try a new one and if you need help installing, just give me a call: 738-2888.