Goals

Students will become familiar with web-browsing alternatives beyond Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Students will evaluate the differences among alternative browsing programs.

These goals are aligned with ISTE Standard Number One, Indicator B and Standard Number Five, Indicator C for teachers: "[Teachers will] demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies. [Teachers will] apply technology to increase productivity. "

Introduction

During this course, you've been exploring better ways to navigate, communicate through, and protect your computer when connected to the Internet. One thing you have not done, however, is to evaluate the program you use to make viewing the Internet possible.

Computers are often sold with a browser pre-installed on the operating system, and if you have a PC and run Windows, this is probably Internet Explorer. What you may not know is that there are many other browsers available (not just Netscape Navigator), and lately, several have become advanced enough to compete with these two giants. In fact, the mottos for Mozilla's Firefox browser include, "the browser, reloaded," "web browsing redefined ," and "take back the web."

You might be asking why you should bother learning about alternative browsers. This is a reasonable question with equally reasonable answers:

First, for your own security and convenience, it might be a good idea to "browse" some browsers. Not all browsers have the same features.

Second, having more than one browser on your computer or at least being familiar with more than one, helps in creating your own Web site because of a concept called WYSIWYG (pronounced Whiz-Zee-Wig). The acronym stands for "What You See Is What You Get," and the concept behind it is that not every web browser shows the same page in the same way. This is of note because, when designing web pages to be used by a hundred or so students at home, it's good to know how your page will display for them. With more than one browser, you will be able to open your web pages and compare what your student will see. That way, you can make sure your page is consistently displayed on several browsers, making it more accessible.

Finally, if you have children or use the internet in the classroom, you may want to look into kid-safe browsers.

Reading

Optional Background: If you're really interested or just completely lost, you might want to go to this recent eWeek list of articles covering browser advancements over the past two years. This certainly isn't a necessary step, but if you've got the time, it wouldn't hurt to read a few of the articles.
Link: http://www.eweek.com/category2/0,1738,1650416,00.asp

The Meat: Go to this PC World article called "Browser Wars" and read up on a few of the different browsers' features.
Link: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,118959,00.asp

Then, go to this CNET article and read up a little more. You needn't necessarily read all of it. It might be most useful to read about those browsers not mentioned in the PC World article, however, a comparison of opinions might also help.
Link: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3118_7-6226062-1.html

Finally, read this review of browsers from across the Pacific, again taking special note of those not mentioned in earlier articles.

Link: http://www.zdnetasia.com/insight/software/0,39044822,39223420,00.htm

Activity

First, visit CNET's own Download.com (Link: http://www.download.com/sort/3150-2356_4-0-1-2.html) or the more grassroots Evolt.org (Link:http://browsers.evolt.org/) and peruse the lists of browsers. Select one which you do not already have on your computer and download it. (Note: I'd choose one you've already read about in the above articles or do more research on another before putting it on my computer, if I were you.)

Second, use the other browser to view some of your favorite sites. Explore the security options (usually found under "options" or "preferences" in the "tools" or "edit" menu.) Discover how to set bookmarks. See if you can use tabbed browsing. Open your own Web Index Page in both.

Which browser is best? It's your turn to decide.

(c) iconBAZAAR.com

Assignment

Once you've played with it for long enough to feel comfortable in formulating an opinion, go to the Blackboard Discussion Titled, "Battle of the Browsers" and create a post that includes:

-a list comparing/contrasting both the security and convenience of at least two browsers. (These may be one you had already and the new one you downloaded, two new ones, etc. Your choice.)

-a description of the difference(s)--if any--in how the different browsers displayed and handled your Web Index and at least one other Web page.

-your analysis as to which is the best browser to use (You may specify different browsers for different tasks, if necessary.)

Submission

Post your compare/contrast list, description of the differences, and analysis of the best browser in an informal post to the "Battle of the Browsers" discussion on Blackboard. Email your instructor to notify him/her of the posting. Record the submission in your log.

Rubric

Brief statement of the differences in display which demonstrates knowledge of and attention to web design in regards to accessibility