Progressive Wednesday

How to Browse Progressively, Redux

Problem:

How should we put this? How about an SAT-style analogy: Internet Explorer is to a monkey a screech monkey as all other web browsers are to humans. We still use IE on occasion, the same way when we go to zoos we look at the primates, caged and nearly useless.

So, we admit it: we’re exaggerating a bit. And please know that we don’t mean to offend the IE users out there in Internet land, though PC World did dub IE the 8th worst tech product of all time. But there are at least four better options out there, flying under the web radar. Since about 30% of folks still use IE, we’ve got a lot of minds to change, but change them we will.

Make Progress:

To put it directly: download and use Firefox. This here’s a browser designed and maintained by the friendly-neighborhood folks over at Mozilla. Since making the switch from the vulnerable IE to Firefox, I’ve experienced far, far fewer problems with spyware and adware. I still run Spybot, Ad-Aware, and Venus Spy Trap frequently, but they find hardly any malicious cookies as compared to my days when I relied on Microsoft to do my browsing. Pop-up windows are also something of the past now that I’m a Firefox-er. Another perk of Firefox is that it’s open source software, which means any individual can create extensions for the browser, enabling users to personalize their browsing experience. I use extensions to help me play music (FoxyTunes), know the weather (Forecastfox), and clip and save info I find while researching for Progressive Wednesday (Clipmarks). While this browser isn’t perfect, it’s the new age of browser, whereas IE always seems a step behind the times and slow to fix bugs and security flaws.

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Opera is another browser we find ourselves using from time to time (and those times are on the rise, baby). In fact, we’re a bit torn between it and Firefox–it’s like choosing between The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. Opera offers many features we dig on, such as: tabbed browsing; thumbnail previews of open tabs; the ability to save tabs for the next time you use Opera; a trash can that allows you to open accidentally closed tabs; voice operation for those with disabilities; zoom control on any page; enhanced security features; pop-up blocking; tools for using the web from your mobile phone; and widgets that you can use (and develop!) to personalize the sucker.

*

If social networking is your cup of Internet tea, we’d suggest taking a gander at Flock. Much like Firefox, Flock has lots (though not nearly as many) extensions you can add to make the browser work better for you.

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Camino is the aforementioned Mozilla’s Safari look-alike. Firefox can also run on Macs, but if the Safari interface is something that makes you drool (and not in that while-you-sleep-and-drool-on-your-pillow sort of way), we recommend Camino. Why? Because it’s open source and not owned by a mammoth company. In essence, Mozilla is like the Green Bay Packers: it’s not really owned by any one entity, and it’s not driven by the bottom line; it’s driven by the needs and desires of its users and the greater good.

Afterward:

If this isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: Progressive Wednesday is optimized to work with Flock, Opera, Safari, Camino and, of course, Firefox. We’re not suggesting that your experience with Firefox will be pain-free, but any problems will probably be more like a scratch as compared to IE’s sucking flesh wound (our apologies for this second slight hyperbole).

Fixing Elections (in a Good Way): Bookmark

Bookmark:

It's a little bit difficult to describe Project Vote Smart in 304 words, but here goes:

• This non-profit uses oodles of volunteers (from the right and the left) to examine “voting records, campaign contributions, public statements, biographical data (including their work history) and evaluations of them generated by over 100 competing special interest groups.–
• In addition, they “test each candidate’s willingness to provide citizens with their positions on the issues they will most likely face if elected through the National Political Awareness Test.– In other words, they see if candidates will openly, directly explain what they stand for — a tall order in some instances.
• You can also use Project Vote Smart to learn about judges, congressional legislation, voter registration, polling locales, ballot measures, and lots and lots of accurate et cetera.
• The Project also offers up a Voter's Self-Defense Manual, a must-read for progressives of any political ilk. The booklet can be downloaded as an Acrobat file, or you can order one by giving them a jingle: 1-888-868-3762.
• They are truly bipartisan: “No one can join the Project’s board without a political opposite.– And whose served on the board? Carter, Ford, Dukakis, McCain, McGovern, and Goldwater, to name a few.
• They don't take cash money from special interests. To quote: “We do not accept contributions from any corporations, labor unions, or other organizations that lobby, support or oppose candidates or issues.” The money comes only in the form of donations by individuals (70%) and philanthropic foundation grants (30%). Plus, 83% of their funds go directly into their programs and content.
• U.S. News and World Report has this to say: “Project Vote Smart would make the Founders weep with joy.– The New York Times pointed out that the Project kicks so much tail that “even the Federal Government recommends it.–
• This service — this wonderful, wonderful service — is completely free.

Want to read more? Go check it out for yourself. Then bookmark it. You'll want it down the road: we guarantee it.

We'd also like to ask you to give some love in the form of greenbacks to this incredibly worthy, dare we say essential (okay, we dare), this essential cause. Even if giving means three bucks. Here's the beauty of your generosity: not only do you help out this organization whose sole purpose is to help you as a voter, but your gift is tax-deductible, and you can choose how the money is spent. So give a little and have them spend it wisely.

But remember to bookmark it, baby, remember to bookmark it.

To learn more about Progressive Wednesday, just click here, here, or here.

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To read our other Wednesdays, click here for Wal-Mart and here for Music.

How to Browse Progressively

Problem:

How should we put this– ¦? How about an SAT-style analogy: Internet Explorer is to a monkey a screech monkey as all other web browsers are to humans. We still use IE on occasion, the same way when we go to zoos we look at the primates, caged and nearly useless.

So, we admit it: we're exaggerating a bit. And please know that we don't mean to offend the IE users out there in Internet land, though PC World did dub IE the 8th worst tech product of all time. But there are at least four better options out there, flying under the web radar. Since about 60% of folks still use IE, we've got a lot of minds to change, but change them we will.

Make Progress:

To put it directly: download and use Firefox. This here's a browser designed and maintained by the friendly-neighborhood folks over at Mozilla. Since making the switch from the vulnerable IE to Firefox, I've experienced far, far fewer problems with spyware and adware. I still run Spybot, Ad-Aware, and Venus Spy Trap frequently, but they find hardly any malicious cookies as compared to my days when I relied on Microsoft to do my browsing. Pop-up windows are also something of the past now that I'm a Firefox-er. Another perk of Firefox is that it's open source software, which means any individual can create extensions for the browser, enabling users to personalize their browsing experience. I use extensions to help me play music (FoxyTunes), know the weather (Forecastfox), and clip and save info I find while researching for Progressive Wednesday (Clipmarks). While this browser isn't perfect, it's the new age of browser, whereas IE always seems a step behind the times and slow to fix bugs and security flaws.

*

Opera is another browser we find ourselves using from time to time (and those times are on the rise, baby). In fact, we're a bit torn between it and Firefox–it's like choosing between The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. Opera offers many features we dig on, such as: tabbed browsing; thumbnail previews of open tabs; the ability to save tabs for the next time you use Opera; a trash can that allows you to open accidentally closed tabs; voice operation for those with disabilities; zoom control on any page; enhanced security features; pop-up blocking; tools for using the web from your mobile phone; and widgets that you can use (and develop!) to personalize the sucker.

*

If social networking is your cup of Internet tea, we'd suggest taking a gander at Flock. Much like Firefox, Flock has lots (though not nearly as many) extensions you can add to make the browser work better for you.

*

Camino is the aforementioned Mozilla's Safari look-alike. Firefox can also run on Macs, but if the Safari interface is something that makes you drool (and not in that while-you-sleep-and-drool-on-your-pillow sort of way), we recommend Camino. Why? Because it's open source and not owned by a mammoth company. In essence, Mozilla is like the Green Bay Packers: it's not really owned by any one entity, and it's not driven by the bottom line; it's driven by the needs and desires of its users and the greater good.

Afterward:

If this isn't enough to convince you, consider this: Progressive Wednesday is optimized to work with Flock, Opera, Safari, Camino and, of course, Firefox. We're not suggesting that your experience with Firefox will be pain-free, but any problems will probably be more like a scratch as compared to IE's sucking flesh wound (our apologies for this second slight hyperbole).