Totally your choice. You can install Firefox as well as have IE on your system. If all you want is Google just make it a favorite for easy access; or make it your Homepage.

Hi Mike; The reason I was going to make the switch was for more security,I like the dell page w/ google search bar (it doesn't have a three ring circus going on) it just looks more secure if you know what I mean. Security is tops on my list (I just lost a computer to something nasty that is still on it. But thats why I was thinking of trying firefox. After security it's resources, so if I don't need to worry about security and not using a lot of resources, I'll stick with the dell page with Google I'm ok. with that.  

If you are concerned with security - then definately make the switch to Firefox. It is much more secure than IE, and imo - a much better browser period.

I seond Mike post.  You can't get exploited unless you go to a site of questionable value and try to view or download something that you shouldn't.  I think the only thing Firefox has going for it is the tabbed viewing selection, other than that, I see no difference.

I like Firefox because of the customizations possible, built-in pop-up blocker(I know, IE has it in XP SP2), ad block, which you can use to block ad images, or images you do not want to see. And Firefox is faster loading web pages, at least to me.

There are no script errors, or annoying alert windows in Firefox to complain about script errors, or memory errors. IE is so annoying with their alerts, that I cannot fix any way(yes, I configured IE to not show script errors, and I disabled script debugging)

I still sometimes get errors in IE at certain Websites. Firefox does not.

(Do you want to continue to run scripts on the page? >:( )

What was supposed to make Firefox more secure was these things:

1. Any exploit is fixed in Firefox sooner than Microsoft would fix an exploit in IE.

2. Firefox does not use active X.

But if you just disable Active X in IE, it should be just as safe.

Sites that you trust, you can add to your "trusted" zone, if they require Active X (like Windows update)

I just love Firefox. It is less bloated than IE, but still use IE occasionally.

Message Edited by msil217 on 01-17-2005 08:59 AM

Thanks to all; I really appreciate the advice from everyone that has taken the time to help me. Good Wishes to all!!!     : )

Just a note of info I read. You can't get windows updates via Firefox.

FireFox is version 1 I believe. If that's true, I will follow the golden rule in computer law "never use a version 1 of anything."

I've been using it since it was version 0.7 (Then, it was called Firebird)

No problems. At least not as many as IE.