Microsoft Edge - Macos

[Dave2002]

Just noticed that the Microsoft Edge browser is now available for Macos. Is it worth bothering with? What does it do that other browsers can’t, and what does it not do?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I really can't see the point of this. I have Microsoft Edge on my laptop and Safari on my iMac and phone. I really can't see any difference, except that everything on Windows is fussier.

[Dave2002]

OK - though sometimes there are advantages in one piece of software over another. There might also be hidden advantages/disadvantages, such as which piece of software is more profligate with sending data ("private" - ha!) off to 3rd, 4th, .... nth parties which may come back to bite us all. Sadly I think most systems do this nowadays.

[gradus]

Firefox?

[Bryn]

Firefox?

+ Opera and Vivaldi, though I do tend to use Firefox more often than not. Edge does not get a look-in.

[Dave2002]

I tend to use Firefox, but sometime Chrome and Safari - even Opera at times.

I downloaded Edge - for MacOS - it does seem OK, and I'm using it now. Can't say it really feels that different from some others.

[johnb]

Edge was installed on my PC as part of W10 but I don't use it and find Microsoft "nudging" me towards it, in W10, counter productive. I use Firefox for most things, with the occasional outing for Chrome.

[cmr_for3]

I suppose it depends which version of Edge one is referring to. The original version (blue "E" logo) was rubbish but the new Chrome based version (blue and green logo) is in my view rather good.

[Dave2002]

Two things I've noticed, having put Edge on my machine.

1. I get a different selection of "news" stories from the ones I get on Firefox. So are these browsers really about putting out "messages" - often commercial?

2. I have to re-register on some sites in order for them to function for me - e.g. BBC Sounds. I'm not sure if this a good thing or a pain? It indicates that some sites don't identify users by their machine, but rather by their browser - though I suspect that more sophisticated trackers can do both.

[Frances_iom]

the beeb probably uses cookies - I doubt if Firefox or M/S offerings share such cookies - however yes you can be tracked merely by the browser response + list of your plugin extras to Browser etc - just to annoy FF I note that the program on R4 re the US big 4 tech (Google etc) noted that Farcebook had replaced most of its advisory board with Republicans (Trumpites) + had moved further to the right, probably Nick Clegg now feels much happier in his new job than in the Lib Dems (or maybe not and it is just he has come out in his true politics)

[french frank]

just to annoy FF

I love to natter endlessly about such topics, though not particularly through social media (moi, I voted for Chris Huhne for leader But I was put off Clegg when he said he was "a liberal to his fingertips" )

Back on topic, please. NOW. "What is Microsoft Edge?"

[Cockney Sparrow]

Its a web browser (like Internet explorer, safari, firefox). I've been a Windows 10 refusenik, but am about to replace WIndows 7 with it. I'm not sure whether you are a Mac user? (Mac users have told me for years that - any problems their Macs "repair themselves overnight". Lucky them).

I try to maintain some basic grip on IT matters as a Windows user and from what I understand Edge as a browser was withdrawn by Microsoft and then re-introduced more recently - "Computeractive" magazine finds no faults with it and a number of distinct benefits (IIRC some ability to edit PDFs, etc). Having lost all my bookmarks on a Firefox update version exercise I might give Edge a try.

[Beresford]

If you don't hate Windows too much, only the updates and nagging, you could try Windows 10 LTSC. You can download a free trial ISO, lasting for 3-9 months, and it seems to dual boot without problems. No functional updates, only security ones, for 10 years I think. You don't get Edge, or anything else, unless you install it. The difficulty is getting a licence, as it was made for corporate customers who demanded that there be none of the continual feature upgrades, or tracking, or ads.

"Enterprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a long-term support version of Windows 10 Enterprise released every 2 to 3 years. Each release is supported with security updates for 10 years after its release, and intentionally receive no feature updates. Some features, including the Microsoft Store and bundled apps, are not included in this edition.[23][1][3] This edition was first released as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (Long-Term Servicing Branch).[24] There are currently 3 releases of LTSC: one in 2015 (version 1507), one in 2016 (version 1607) and one in 2018 (version 1809)" [Wikipedia]

[Dave2002]

If you don't hate Windows too much, only the updates and nagging, you could try Windows 10 NTSC.

Is that a chameleon version - Never Twice the Same Colour - or a TV standard, or a typo?

[Beresford]

Windows LTSC

Windows LTSC is the current name. I was still half asleep this morning, hence the typo.