Best browser for this site?

[E-Lynn]

I've been using the Chrome browser for this site, but the formatting is confusing, thus sorry if I haven't posted or responded well. I also have Edge and Firefox as opetions. Any suggestions as to the best way of visiting here?

[Shedman]

Mention of Edge guides me that you are using Windows 7 or 10 OS.Several requirements to your question:

- size of screen you are using

- OS (windows, MAC, etc)

- version of OS (sometimes helpful)

- what issue (describe) in what detail of the page frustrates you the most?

[a screen image can help a lot]

- what you are seeing that causes issues with HU website?

The last question is oft relevant to Windows OS if a browser has ‘bad’ add-ons installed, or there is malware on the computer.. namely, if online adverts or pop ups are ruining your experience here.

You only mention formatting.. Hmmmn...

Since I use iOS on an iPad mini 4, this mostly with Chrome to load HU, I’m not best placed to answer your question about a browser under Windows 10 OS

[rcusher]

I am using Chrome and have no problems.

[wmay13241 in reply to rcusher]

I am using Chrome, Windows 10, and a 24" monitor - it works fine. Suggest you run updates for Windows 10 and Chrome - they may be outdated.

[E-Lynn]

Thanks for the replies. I am on Windows 10 and was getting two "ads" that I x'ed out of and now the screen is easier to read. My issue was seeing posts and replies in a clear way, making it easier to navigate. I normally use Chrome, but for a few things, the MS browser works better, much as I dislke their bling search.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to E-Lynn]

Chrome being the dominant browser and by a huge margin, HealthUnlocked naturally provide the best support for this browser. All the main browsers now use a common rendering engine, (the part of the browser which renders a specific web page requested by the user on their screen), with Microsoft recently changing Edge to do this too.

[Shedman in reply to E-Lynn]

I also X’ed out of the HU research ad; it was rather a large rectangle containing lots of tiny head-shots of people, presumably those taking part.. ..just too fraught, didn’t read, but it added much scrolling..

Therein is one more factor of describing the issue: eyesight / zoom

Default scaling of a webpage is likely to see good layout results..

..but if your eyesight/comfort sees you are zoomed in (screen/font/webpage magnified), this will see the standard layout altered.. there is less room..

You might see:

- elements pushed off the side of the page and a need to scroll sideways

- pinned posts (designed to be on the right, except on small mobile phone screens) pushed below everything else..

Sometimes, a good bet may be to learn to take a screenshot (picture of screen, showing full layout as you see it on your screen - there is always a way to do this via a few key presses, may then need to paste it in to Paint or similar software and save image) .. and email this to [e-mail] — subject HU layout feedback

They may have suggestions or at least will know what level of zoom their users require to work. [they benefit from the feedback and may help]

[bennevisplace]

Firefox works fine.

[Big_Dee]

Hello E-Lynn

Good question. I mostly read HU on a 15" laptop using Windows 7 and Explorer. I have 6 computers in my home that I use. I also have systems using Windows 10 and Edge which is not connected to the internet by choice. I refuse to up grade my computers to the latest and greatest set of problems as I have used computers since 1984 complete with all the new bugs as a result of up grades. I have very expensive software on my laptop which will have to be up graded along with newer browsers and OS. I also have tried Foxfire and Edge which I don't care for. Don't much care for Chrome either. "Windows is not done until Netscape won't run". I can afford to be picky as my son has a MS in Computer and Systems Operation Engineering.

[neurodervish]

This is a great question E-Lynn . As Shedman mentioned, screen size matters. So what kind of device are you using (iPad, desktop, laptop, smartphone)?

Websites show up differently depending on what kind of screen it is.

The reason I use Firefox (on a laptop to view HU) is that Firefox is the best at respecting my privacy (plus they have extra options for even more privacy, like blocking trackers). All the other companies sell our data, especially Google, which owns Chrome. Here in the US, you could be denied insurance w/o ever being told why. Our digital privacy really does matter more than people understand. support.mozilla.org/en-US/p...

I'm not too happy with the latest Firefox update to version 89, which now looks just like Chrome (a vast screen of indecipherable whiteness), so I have temporarily downgraded to version 88.0.1. (Don't judge me AussieNeil , I'm staying on top of security patches 😄)

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to neurodervish]

Neurodervish, I agree with you about Firefox, which I use on a desktop or laptop. Unfortunately it is unusable on an Android device in my opinion and I've sadly got plenty of company. There is also a Firefox bug whereby you can't switch from viewing a post to Newsfeed. I've got used to the new Firefox look. Given your browser is your primary means of accessing the internet, not using the latest version is putting extra demand on other security measures, primarily your reliance on your virus checker remaining up to date, given Microsoft only issue security patches once a month unless there is an extremely serious security patch requirement.

E-Lynn you should be able to continue to use any browser you wish while changing the default search engine via your browser preferences. Duck-duck-go has a very good reputation with regard to respecting your privacy.

Neil

[neurodervish in reply to AussieNeil]

Interesting, I've been using Firefox on my Samsung Galaxy with no issues, but I don't view this forum there. Androids offer even less privacy than Chrome. iPhones are no better, but I've read they're starting to offer some opt-out options. I suspect, as an admin, you need to be more available.

So far none of the security updates affect this particular device, since I don't run a password mgr, or print from it and I have most things disabled on this device. There are a couple things I'm keeping a close eye on tho.

mozilla.org/en-US/security/...