Now the Internet has evolved to such a point where you will find many websites that works more as applications. One persistent problem with browsers are they are plagued by bugs and security vulnerabilities. With the increase in popularity of a browser, more bugs and holes are discovered while in some popular browsers, the developers to compete with other browsers adds so much features, not needed by normal users that they almost turns them into bloatwares.
If you had enough of the bugs, security vulnerabilities and bloatware in your browser, you may not be aware of the scope of change that is available to you. There are more number of browsers available out there for you to adopt than you may think. These browsers uses the same rendering engine that popular browsers such as Firefox, Chrome and Safari uses. Here, we have taken a look at these alternatives browsers, we found interesting and which will catch your fancy. They have been developed for different kinds of users. Some for the users who want lots of features and some which is for users who want a light with minimal features and look.
Image courtesy miss_rogue
- K-Melon – The lightweight Firefox alternative
K-Meleon is an extremely fast, customizable, lightweight web browser based on the Gecko layout engine developed by Mozilla which is also used by Firefox. K-Meleon is free, open source software released under the GNU General Public License and is designed specifically for Microsoft Windows (Win32) operating systems. It was launched back in 2000. At that time it lacked many important features, but after nine years it is very robust and usable browser, suitable for most users. It is light on resource too.
The K-Meleon browser is like the combination of Opera and Firefox. It comes as a complete with features browser like Opera but also offers customizations via addons and extensions like Firefox. It features a built-in ad blocker, mouse gestures, news feed reader, etc. Moving to K-Meleon is trouble free and you can import your bookmarks from Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Website: http://kmeleon.sf.net
Renderer: Gecko - Arora – Browser of the future?
Arora is a lightweight cross-platform web browser. It’s free (as in free speech and free beer). Arora runs on Linux, embedded Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, Windows and any other platforms supported by the Qt toolkit. Arora uses the QtWebKit port of the fully standards-compliant WebKit layout engine. It features fast rendering, powerful JavaScript engine and supports Netscape plugins. It is developed with collaboration with the guys at Mozilla Labs.
It is unique in its own way. It is developed to be an all-in-one solution that is to be used as an integrated desktop sharing environment. It is still in works. At this point Arora still needs considerable amount of work, but it is still having all that is needed for a basic browser. The current build features session manager, privacy mode, good search engine management, download manager and supports 30 languages.
Website: http://code.google.com/p/arora/
Renderer: WebKit - Midori – The tiny and lightweight web browser
Midori is an open source browser the works on the WebKit renderer. WebKit is the same engine that many popular browsers like Safari uses and is also used to develop many mobile browsers. To get the most out of Midori, you will need to customize it. You can use the Netscape plugins and extensions. But you have to do it manually, unlike other popular browsers.
It does not come as an installation file but instead as a .7z file which contains the executable file. Though it is not having an impressive look but is very fast and light. Midori is a work in progress and the developers are very enthusiastic.
Website: http://www.twotoasts.de/
Renderer: WebKit - Epiphany – The web browser for GNOME
Epiphany is the web browser for the GNOME desktop. Its goal is to be simple and easy to use. Epiphany ties together many GNOME components in order to let you focus on the Web content, instead of the browser application. As part of the GNOME project, Epiphany is Free Software.
It is mainly developed for Linux but also comes with versions for Mac OS X and BSD. Epiphany is the descendant of Galeon, another browser which is old now due to lack of development (last update done was in 2006). The user interface and layout is different but overall similar to Firefox. Epiphany is definitely a browser that GNOME users should give a try.
Website: http://projects.gnome.org/epiphany/
Renderer: Gecko
About Mezanul
I tried K-Meleon once but haven’t heard of the others. But I’d still love using either Firefox, Opera, Safari, or Chrome
.-= Michael Aulia´s last blog ..A technology forum at LovingTech =-.
Hello Michael,
Yes, I too have used K-Meleon and must say that those who like customizing everything by editing configuration text files instead of doing it through menus and dialog boxes will surely love it.