Browsers

Internet Explorer

At version 3, Internet Explorer was the first browser ever to support CSS, setting an important precedent for a better Internet. IE came to dominate over Netscape, its main competitor, but having reached this powerful niche, Microsoft stopped adding significant updates to Internet Explorer's ability to render pages. Now, this browser has become notoriously incompetent at displaying modern websites (even though the standards have been around since 1999). I still recommend having IE installed because at present, many authors design their webpages testing them only on IE. The result is that poorly designed websites which seem to be fine on IE render horribly on other competent browsers. Fortunately, people impatient with Internet Explorer's dormant state have begun searching for alternatives. Hopefully, Microsoft will respond by releasing an updated, improved Internet Explorer that will rival the best browsers.
Internet Explorer's homepage

IE Enhancements

There are many programs available that have been designed to enhance Internet Explorer. Two of the most popular are Avant Browser and Maxthon. As I have not tried either program, I cannot elaborate on their features.
Avant Browser's homepage
Maxthon's homepage

Mozilla Browser

This open source browser and Internet suite is the foundation of the Netscape browser. The rendering engine, "Gecko," which is responsible for displaying webpages, is common to Firefox, Mozilla, and Netscape. The Gecko engine ranks among the best on the web, regularly updated and fairly compliant with web standards. Users familiar with Netscape will find that Mozilla has a similar feel. The main difference is that Mozilla is less novice-oriented, focusing instead on more advanced users. Aside from being an excellent browser, the Mozilla suite offers a built-in e-mail program, a calendar, and an IRC client. Mozilla also has a wealth of plug-ins available to customize its behaviour. Further development of the Mozilla suite has been nearly entirely discontinued; the components will are being rewritten and developed individually rather than as part of an integrated suite.
Mozilla Browser's homepage

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox, formerly known as Firebird, is a new browser under development by the Mozilla team. While the rendering engine is the same, Firefox has an entirely rewritten user interface, one which I find far more natural and appealing. Firefox offers an integrated pop-up blocker along with several other convenient features. There are also some plug-ins (extensions) and themes available to customize this browser.
Mozilla Firefox's homepage

Netscape

Netscape, once Internet Explorer's main competitor, has now become nearly entirely novice-user oriented. It is slow, bloated, and, like the Mozilla browser, simply cumbersome to use. Besides, it's an AOL product. Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing. In this case, however, neither the ads nor the unneccesary bundled software add anything positive to the browser. Of course, you don't have to take my word for it — feel free to make your own opinion about the browser.
Netscape's homepage

Opera

Like Mozilla, Opera is also an integrated Internet suite. Of the multitude of browsers currently available on the Internet, Opera is my favorite. Opera not only respects web standards, but also offers an intuitive, elegant user interface. Like many other browsers, Opera offers the convenience of a pop-up blocker and of tabbed browsing. While Firefox's built-in pop-up blocker may be slightly superior to Opera's, tabbed browsing with Opera is about as simple as it gets. In addition, Opera includes the unique feature of mouse gestures (though this feature may be added to all of the browsers mentioned above through plug-ins). Opera is very fast, simple to use, and powerful. Opera's homepage