IE7 vs Firefox

Ace Modder · 8 Dec 2006 at 18:00

Hi guys

Just installed IE7 and it gives all websites a much nicer feel to the text displayed.

Anyone know why? or if there is any way I can get FF to do the same.

If you don't know what I mean I may post some screenies I take, if you request some!

Ace Modder · 8 Dec 2006 at 18:05

Ace Modder · 8 Dec 2006 at 18:10

^^ Have found the answer myself, its an option called cleartype.

Can set this up for the whole of windows not just browsers...google was my friend

joeyjojo · 8 Dec 2006 at 21:36

Yes, text in IE is made smoother, much like the smooth desktop text. Can you post what you did, sounds useful?

agw_01 · 8 Dec 2006 at 21:43

The tabbed browsing in IE... that's been in Firefox (and even Netscape) for yoinks!

I hate IE! I only use it for WindowsUpdate. Too many bugs/flaws in it for my liking. Every machine I go to fix with spyware problems has IE as the main browser (even with Spybot/SpywareBlaster installed).

A quick install of Firefox and I've never been called out for the same problems since.

I used to like the instant loading of IE as it was integrated with Windows, but now it seems to take just as long as Firefox to open.

joeyjojo · 8 Dec 2006 at 21:53

IE7 might be better than 6 was agw_01, you haven't tried it yet :confused:

I'm an Opera man anyway. Prefer it over FF.

agw_01 · 8 Dec 2006 at 21:57

Nah, haven't tried it yet.

Had the installer appear when I last ran WindowsUpdate but I chose to cancel it.

Might give it a shot.

RandomTom · 8 Dec 2006 at 22:41

joeyjojo said:
Yes, text in IE is made smoother, much like the smooth desktop text. Can you post what you did, sounds useful?

in FF my text is smooth anyway, you just tick the box for cleartype in display properties.

joeyjojo · 8 Dec 2006 at 23:48

As long as there are no gaping security holes in IE7, I can't see much difference between IE7, FF and Op any more.

robmiller · 9 Dec 2006 at 09:52

IE7 has raised the bar in some areas, which is great because I have no reason to doubt that Firefox will meet the challenge :cool:

RandomTom · 9 Dec 2006 at 13:46

joeyjojo said:
I can't see much difference between IE7, FF and Op any more.

Apart from the adverse standards compliant-ness. IE7 is still lacking in many CSS based commands and how it renders them, there was a chart showing IE only being about 70% compliant where as FF and Opera were around 95%

joeyjojo · 9 Dec 2006 at 13:49

RandomTom said:
Apart from the adverse standards compliant-ness. IE7 is still lacking in many CSS based commands and how it renders them, there was a chart showing IE only being about 70% compliant where as FF and Opera were around 95%

True, what was I on about?

You've got a bit of experience with IE7 and it's rendering problems IIRC

Christo · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:15

For me firefox takes up all my systems resources - IE7 all the way for me

DanMc07 · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:32

RandomTom said:
in FF my text is smooth anyway, you just tick the box for cleartype in display properties.

Where can I find that??

RandomTom · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:36

joeyjojo said:
You've got a bit of experience with IE7 and it's rendering problems IIRC

Just re-read your bit as well, and yeh I know what you mean about the security now. shh

DanMc07 said:
Where can I find that??

right click desktop > properties > appearance > effects > 2nd box - cleartype.

That's the only setting I can think of that I have enabled that produces nice text.

joeyjojo · 9 Dec 2006 at 14:42

RandomTom said:
right click desktop > properties > appearance > effects > 2nd box - cleartype.

I've had that turned off for some reason :confused:

Cheers tom!

DanMc07 · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:45

RandomTom said:
Just re-read your bit as well, and yeh I know what you mean about the security now. shh

right click desktop > properties > appearance > effects > 2nd box - cleartype.

That's the only setting I can think of that I have enabled that produces nice text.

I thought we was talking about a setting in FF here

Thanks though! looks much better now

breamy1990 · 9 Dec 2006 at 15:50

ye ive had it turned off now ive turned it on it looks very sharp and crisp cheers m8

Gaverick · 9 Dec 2006 at 17:08

just makes it look blurred if you ask me

Al Vallario · 9 Dec 2006 at 17:13

Gaverick said:
just makes it look blurred if you ask me

Agreed. I think Cleartype makes text look awful, and as someone who likes to think he spends a lot of time in the web development field, Cleartype is not really a true representation of what most people will be viewing (it's exclusive to Windows, and lots of people don't use it).

Text smoothing on OS X, on the other hand... gorgeous. :eek:

*av