Firefox instead of IE

[DevilsAdvocate]

Hi guys, i'm a techie on a managed RM network and I'm just wondering is it possible for me to use Firefox instead of IE as I cannot stand using IE anymore (even more so when IE7 hits us). Cheers

Rob.

[PiqueABoo]

Quickest\easiest\cleanest way is to go get a portable (run from a penstick) Firefox.

[DevilsAdvocate]

Cheers for that. Have just downloaded the portable app and i'm sticking it on my flash drive now. Will sort it out in the morning! Woo no more IE

Rob.

[Michael]

As you may or may not know, you cannot really remove IE. It's so heavily integrated in Windows, but by all means, you can install Firefox.

The only problem I can see, is how will you go about updating FF when a new version comes out? I don't believe there are any automated ways and I take browser security seriously.

Of course with RM, they release IE patches in their update packs and on vanilla networks, there's WSUS which distributes IE updates.

I'm sure someone will probably tell me otherwise though

[FN-GM]

As you may or may not know, you cannot really remove IE. It's so heavily integrated in Windows, but by all means, you can install Firefox.

The only problem I can see, is how will you go about updating FF when a new version comes out? I don't believe there are any automated ways and I take browser security seriously.

Of course with RM, they release IE patches in their update packs and on vanilla networks, there's WSUS which distributes IE updates.

I'm sure someone will probably tell me otherwise though

If you install Firefox copy the files from "Program Files" into a network location this will allow users to use it over the network from one set of install files. When there is an update the IT Support staff update it on an account with admin rights and then everyone else will be updated because everyone is running it from the same location.

Z

[Michael]

Thanks FN-Greatermanchester, I thought they'd be a way. I don't personally have an issue with IE, but it's still good to know.

[FN-GM]

I don't I have a verity of browsers installed on my computer because I am building the new school website and like to test it on different browsers.

At home I use IE7 but at work I tend to use Firefox because it’s got the spell checker add-on.

Z

[DevilsAdvocate]

Hi guys, I only want to use it myself on my machine. No way i'd want everyone using it because most people would probably cry if god forbid I was to make changes to anything.

Got into work this morning and tried to run the portable FF from my Flash drive and got the usual RM restriction message. Anything else I can try? Is it worth me asking to become a privellaged user on my machine?

Cheers.

Rob.

[Michael]

@DevilsAdvocate - If you're the admin, why not just install the standard FF on your personal machine?

And as for IE7, it has been available for RM CC3 for a while but it's a separate download. It doesn't come included with security updates. I had no problems deploying it on the one RM network I support.

On the other networks I support, I just used WSUS. IE7 is very similar to FF in many respects, especially with the introduction of tabbed browsing to IE. I suspect soon they'll be more talk of Internet Explorer 8 as Microsoft had stated they'll be releasing new browser versions more frequently.

[Joanne]

i install whatever browser i want on my RM machine. I have IE7, one of the other guys stick with 6 and the other has the bt internet browser. Just install it on your machine (make sure you are a priviliged user) and bobs your auntie!!

[Joanne]

if its your machine and no one else uses it, take off the security and make yourself privilaged!

[DevilsAdvocate]

Yes, its my machine and only I use it. How do i go about having the security taken off? It's annoying really, I've been at this 2 1/2 years and have never been given any sort of real privellages over other users.

Rob.

[plexer]

hmm you a techie in an rm managed network, do you mean managed as in managed by a 3rd party i.e not under the schools control?

If so I see your pain.

Ben

[DevilsAdvocate]

hmm you a techie in an rm managed network, do you mean managed as in managed by a 3rd party i.e not under the schools control?

If so I see your pain.

Ben

Yes, this is the case.

[DevilsAdvocate]

Stupid question, but is there anyway of allowing the school to gain control to what we can and can't do on the network and allocating out resources to stations? As i'm pretty sure if it were possible to do so then our school would be up for taking the plunge. Thanks

Rob.