Browser Chat ( was List of World Salsa Champions?)

[Salsa Bear]

the WSF champions list really works with Internet Explorer only and WSF?

LOL - I'm proud to say I was way ahead of the curve in ditching Microsoft. Fellow web designers said I was crazy to NOT tailor my web pages for the most popular web browser (Internet Explorer aka IE). I countered that THEY were crazy for letting Bill Gates dictate their profession.

Now IE is on its way to becoming the 13th most popular browser, after Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Firefox, Opera and on and on. Actually, IE is probably still the 2nd or 3rd most popular browser - as in used because that's what people who buy PC's are stuck with - but it's nowhere near the best.

Anyway, salsa sometimes reminds me of Microsoft, when it needs to be more like Apple, Google or open source. I can't imagine a salsa DJ who uses a PC, and it's hard to believe there are still web pages that work with IE only.

Maybe all the world salsa champions should get together and create their own website listing stats and featuring videos of world salsa performances. (And another thing, why is it so hard to find good videos of world champion performances? Many appear to be filmed by amateurs standing on the sidelines.)

This is one topic that I began writing about on my salsa website that drove me to tears; it was just too confusing. About all I learned is that Alien Ramirez, Liz Lira, Christian Oviedo and Alex da Silva are apparently the most frequently crowned world champions of recent years.

I took a private lesson from Ramirez once; probably the best lesson I ever had. Lira is a stunningly beautiful dancer who further intrigues me because of her interest in politics, though I've never learned any specifics; I don't know if she's a capitalist bankster or a communist revolutionary.

If I can scrape together enough money, I might launch my own World Salsa Championship. I may have to start a new thread soliciting ideas for a name.

--The Official World Salsa Championship
--The Authentic World Salsa Championship
--The REAL World Salsa Championship
--The Non-Microsoft World Salsa Championship

P.S. Another thing that bugs me is that salsa championship sponsored by some restaurant ("Steakhouse") in San Francisco or LA. How dignified is that?

How about a Shalimar Indian Food World Salsa Championship, Nike World Salsa Championship or Macdonalds World Salsa Championship?

 

[terence]

LOL .

Now IE is on its way to becoming the 13th most popular browser, after Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Firefox, Opera and on and on. Actually, IE is probably still the 2nd or 3rd most popular browser - as in used because that's what people who buy PC's are stuck with - but it's nowhere near the best.

OK, being PC " illiterate ", what advantages do the others have, over IE ?

 

[Salsa Bear]

OK, being PC " illiterate ", what advantages do the others have, over IE ?

Good question - and a tough one to answer. First, browsers have become increasingly complex. In fact, I think one of the goals is to turn browsers into mini operating systems. Browsers also increasingly allow people to tap into "the cloud." In other words, you can store files and images online, and you can also work with software programs that are online, rather than stored on your computer.

Second, browsers are constantly leapfrogging each other as they invent new tricks and copy each other's latest features.

Internet Explorer (IE) was long maligned primarily because it was a giant security hole. The best way to escape (most) computer viruses is to ditch your PC and get a Mac (or a computer running on Linux). The second best cure has long been replacing IE with a good browser.

Microsoft has been working hard to catch up with the competition, and IE is probably more secure now than it was...but I would never trust anything associated with Microsoft.

The best way to learn about a browser is to simply download and start playing with it and researching it. I also recommend that people have two or three browsers on their computers, so they can tap in to the best of each one.

I recently discovered a cool trick that makes Google Chrome really useful for me. Simply type in a word or phrase where you would normally type in your URL, and it automatically searches Google.

Some browsers allow you to download videos (though there's also software that does that job). Firefox pioneered some webmaster tools that allow you to analyze websites. I think Firefox was also the first to offer "add ons" - similar to what iPhone fans call apps. Other browsers have similar add-ons, widgets or whatever they call them. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find some sort of salsa or Latin music gizmo.

One big problem I'm wrestling with now is videos. For some reason, Apple doesn't like Flash, and I think that's the root of the problem. I haven't had time to really troubleshoot it, but I often can't view videos with my current favorite browser (Chrome), but I can generally see them with Firefox (even on a Mac).

Anyway, download Chrome, Firefox and Opera and spend some time playing with them, reading up on their features and exploring the various add-ons/widgets they offer. If you have a Mac, you'll have Safari by default. There are still more specialty browsers available.

I fell in love with Firefox not just for its innovation but for its spirit; some Firefox fans really went for the jugular in attacking Microsoft. Then I discovered Opera, which was really sleek. It was my favorite for a while, but I now use Chrome by default.

But I need to download the latest Opera version and find out what new features they've added. I just can't keep up.

 

[terence]

Microsoft has been working hard to catch up with the competition, and IE is probably more secure now than it was...but I would never trust anything associated with Microsoft.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, but to me, it was like trying to read " Klingon " !

I need to get me a guy/ gal, who is able to simplify my PC system .

 

[Salsa Bear]

Thanks for the detailed explanation, but to me, it was like trying to read " Klingon " !

I need to get me a guy/ gal, who is able to simplify my PC system .

I don't know how to simplify a PC, but the two best ways to make it more secure are probably 1) get a good anti-virus program, and 2) ditch IE in favor of a quality browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.).

 

[terence]

I don't know how to simplify a PC, but the two best ways to make it more secure are probably 1) get a good anti-virus program, and 2) ditch IE in favor of a quality browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.).

Im using AVG, and I do have FF on my PC but never used it.. didnt realise it was a better program.. thanks

 

[azzey]

Im using AVG, and I do have FF on my PC but never used it.. didnt realise it was a better program.. thanks

The advantages of different browsers are:

1) Chrome was built to be as light-weight and fast as possible. So they redesigned everything from scratch (including the script engine) trying not to support too much legacy stuff. The controls are very simple and easy to use. You can install it in a few minutes with no fuss. www.google.co.uk/chrome

2) Firefox is an open-source development, which means it's being continually improved for free by supporters. It's available for every platform and computer out there and has every kind of plug-in possible (e.g. Free Ad-blocker to block ads) to help the user, though importantly, unlike IE, you aren't forced to download or use them. It manages not to become bloat-ware like IE.

3) Internet Explorer tries to support every possible web and internet standard and so is bloat-ware (a fat man). Even though they tried to improve the speed the latest version is slower than the latest Firefox. It's much bigger to install than the other two browsers, has way too many options and controls and bars on screen.

I personally prefer Chrome but use Firefox when Chrome isn't supported by a particular site.

 

[terence]

.

3) Internet Explorer..... Even though they tried to improve the speed the latest version is slower than the latest Firefox.

I personally prefer Chrome but use Firefox when Chrome isn't supported by a particular site.

I thought my download time was very slow, now i know why. I also do believe I may have Chrome ( a buddy installed a lot of " stuff " most of which I never use ).

thanks a bunch for all the suggestions..

 

[MMaatttt]

I thought my download time was very slow, now i know why. I also do believe I may have Chrome ( a buddy installed a lot of " stuff " most of which I never use ).

thanks a bunch for all the suggestions..

The most important thing isn't which program you use, it's to make sure you keep it bang up to date.

 

[tresto]

Chrome has automated upgrade built-in, so you don't actually have to do anything, it keeps itself up to date on its own.

Salsa Bear, I'm not a Microsoft fan, but you won't catch me using an Apple product any time soon. My computer has been running XP for 8 years straight and is doing very well, I just took the time to know how to use it. Never crashes or anything like that. It's consistently fast and since I'm used to it, easy to use.
On the other hand, there are some "salsa djs" I've seen with a mac who have it crash all the time (as in, in the middle of the song 5 times a night). This extreme kind of thing probably only happens in Australia because this country has such low standards and the dude would never be allowed to DJ again in Europe, but hey you get the idea.

Knowing how to use your tool is more valuable than having something shiny that you don't know how to use. Take some random young athletic dude, and an old overweight worn out one. The first may very well not be able to dance to save his life, and the second one could be Eddie Torres...