Web Browsers

Internet explorer is not as "fast, effective and state of the art" as Microsoft claim it is. It's actually the most buggiest, sluggish browser of all time - and it (unnecessarily) uses far much more of your CPU than most other browsers. IE is also one of the weakest browsers in terms of security, failing to block most malware-infected connections trying to come through to your PC.

So, yeah - unfortunately the IE glory days are over. The top browser these days is Chrome, with Firefox in close second and Opera in third.

Anyway, here's some steps you can try of you still wish to keep using IE, in order that they're best followed:

Java

Is your Java up-to-date? Check The first link in the related links below. That link to the official Java website will scan your PC in less than 40 seconds to test your Java version. If it's outdated they'll offer you a new version to download.

Latest Version

Do you have the latest version of IE9? To check this:

- Go to the Start menu

- Click All Programs. Click Windows Update

- In the left-hand side, click Check For Updates

- If any are found, click View Available Updates

- If there is an IE update, check the box then click Install

Add-ons

Disable all of your add-ons. Including any extra toolbars you've added.

Add-ons sometimes collect information about your browsing history (for advertising purposes), when they do this, your connection becomes slightly slow. If the browser works better after disabling them, then one-by-one turn each add-on back on again, until you find the one that makes your browser behave erratically. Uninstall it. Leave it uninstalled.

Virus. Hijackers

When's the last time you actually scanned your PC for threats? And I mean manually started the scan yourself, not left it to the auto-scan? Some malicious little critters like to play around with browsers, for a giggle. Manually run a full virus scan and wait for it to finish. Kill anything malicious the scan finds.

If you lack a virus scan, I recommend downloading Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and AVG (the free version).

Malware

Believe it or not - virus scans, or the majority of them, absolutely suck when it comes to detecting malware. Even the expensive ones. Virus scans specialise in viruses, hence their name. Which is why I tend to laugh when a virus-scan claims to "remove 100% of malware". No. Just no.

Malware can cause browsers to behave erratically. They don't cause as much damage as viruses, their main purpose is to spam-advertise or annoy you. Pretty pointless.

Download the free Malware Bytes (see second link below). Install it then run a scan. It may take a while to scan, but it is really worth it, you'll probably discover exactly what I mean by anti-viruses being sucky.

Conflicting anti-virus

Do you have McAfee or Nortons by any chance? These anti-viruses like to block things that aren't harmful. From webpages, links, buttons and even your entire router(!).

Do a little test - turn off your anti-virus. Don't worry, it won't be off for long and if something tries to attack you, the built-in Windows Defender will kick in.

Try IE with the anti-virus switched off. Does it perform better now? If the issues are caused by the anti-virus, you'll have to contact the support department of your chosen product. They will probably send you a one-use program to download and run which should fix it. Don't forget to turn it back on again.

Explorer Settings

There may be a conflict in your explorer settings. This can be fixed by a quick fix-it scan from Microsoft,

- Go to the third link in the related links below

- Click 'Windows'

- In the box below, click 'Connect to the internet or networks'

- Then below that box, click the green button next to 'Fix Internet Explorer issues to make IE fast, safe and stable'

- Run the thingy that just downloaded. Any problems it detects should be fixed automatically

Check your connection

Some internet service providers are sneaky chappies - they like to undercut you by a few MB/ps (megabytes per second) to save money for themselves - and this is difficult to notice. Unless you know how to notice it.

Pop onto the forth link below. Then click Begin Test. It's free.

Wait for the results (and watch the fancy animations if you like). Compare the results of the test to the specifications of your internet package - if it's under what you're actually paying for, phone your internet provider and call them lots of names. Then tell them to fix it.

If all else fails

Sit in a corner rocking back and forth while muttering gibberish in a high-pitched voice.

Or just click the fifth link below to download (the much better) Chrome browser. You choose.

You may need to log in/register to see the links.

I don't about any OS, but using Firefox web browser you can use zoom function.

Just go to menu

view>>zoom

Sparkbrowser to Release Web Browser in November Sparkbrowser, an independent software company based in Boston Massachusetts is set to release sparkbrowser V.1 the newest super fast browser, to rival Firefox and chrome in the coming months.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPRLog (Press Release) - Oct 22, 2010 - Sparkbrowser is an independent Software Company, in partnership with Webkit, Gecko rendering engine, and other open source projects as well as Python and Microsoft.

sparkbrowser is a rendering engine different than ever before, it uses the power of javascript engines found in webkit, with the reliability of the security features in Firefox.

in tests of speed, sparkbrowser compared several miliseoconds faster than google chrome on a variety of different sites of varying size and type.

sparkbrowser will be available to the public on November 12th, it will have a web kit and gecko version with hundred of add ons and special features.

Sparkbrowser was developed by Christopher reeves and several affiliates to better the web as well as to generate revenue, because this browser is not open source and it is for profit ads may be displayed.

overall sparkbrowser was flawless, the design, the layout of the buttons and the simplistic and contemporary style was overwhelmingly simple, yet incorporated full functionality of an advanced tabbed web browser.

However the presence of ads and the inability of Facebook chat to fully work was a downside of sparkbrowser,

sparkbrowser had hundreds more features than chrome, and overall is more aesthetically appealing than any other browser that our staff has reviewed, the downside of the many features is that the user may be impressed with the colors and themes and overlooked the actual validity of several of the features. The custom search settings seemed forced, and i seriously doubt that anyone would be using sparkbrowser for "aerospace applications"

Christopher reeves and his affiliates have already built a site that the browser will be hosted on, of course equipped with ads, and with no community forum aside from a chat feature, this browser truly is not open source, it is a privately funded and for profit organization. Because sparkbrowser is privately built, it may be an invasion of privacy for monetary profit. as stated in sparkbrowser.com reeves and his affiliates intend to collect personal information and use it for undisclosed optimization,

i am worried over undisclosed optimization because i truly do not want my information to be seen by anyone except me, even if they completely encrypt it.

overall sparkbrowser would score a 3 out of 5 for functionality, speed , and security, sparkbrowsers mission.

sparkbrowser is very well equipped for students, socially connected people and research and entertainment, it has many apps that can be added to one of 7 custom home screens as well as hundred of thumbnail apps.

of the 5 people who reviewed this product 4 of them gave it the highest rating, however this increased speed and functionality may come at a price, privacy

Yes, any browser has the option to set any webpage as your homepage. In Internet Explorer it is under Tools/Internet Options.

Go to http://www.theinqhub.com/ and make it your homepage. It has links right on the main page to Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and features a full google search.

Working for an agency almost automatically generates a client base for you.

Create your own website as a portfolio of your work. By creating your own site you are demonstrating your talents firsthand and by having an online portfolio of work you are showcasing your abilities. Whatever you do, make sure that your website is the best you can possibly come up with. Even if you have an incredible portfolio to show, showing it on a messy or poorly designed website counteracts with it.

Advertise. Advertise your online portfolio online with banner ads or text links online, or advertise locally in newspapers and business. Search for free online directories of web designers or web design firms where you can create a listing.

If you need more material for your portfolio, offer to design a simple website free for a business or two. You can either do this for someone's home business or for any other small, locally owned and operated, business. Of course, complex design would and should warrant fees for the business, but an introductory website is simple enough to do in a very attractive and accessible way. If you make a really good site, this could generate a word of mouth recommendation for you from the business as well.

Create a sense of trust in your abilities. This is done by your online portfolio and also by the word of mouth recommendations. Once you have won over a client or two by either your portfolio or the "free" website you created for someone else, this will generate in an even bigger network. If a couple of businesses are satisfied, they may come to you for even bigger projects and ultimately an even more complex site that could generate thousands, if not millions, of page views from other potential clients.