| OverviewFor anyone who has grown disenchanted with Microsoft's
Internet Explorer web browser, Don't Click on the
Blue E! offers help. It gives non-technical
users a convenient roadmap for switching to a better web
browser--Firefox. As the only book that covers the switch
to Firefox, this how-to guide is a must for all those who
want to browse faster, more securely, and more efficiently. Editorial Reviews| Book Description | | For all those surfers who have slowly grown disenchanted with Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser, Don't Click on the Blue E! from O'Reilly is here to help. It offers non-technical users a convenient roadmap for switching to a better web browser--Firefox. The only book that covers the switch to Firefox, Don't Click on the Blue E! is a must for anyone who wants to browse faster, more securely, and more efficiently. It takes readers through the process step-by-step, so it's easy to understand. Schools, non-profits, businesses, and individuals can all benefit from this how-to guide. Firefox includes most of the features that browser users are familiar with, along with several new features other browsers don't have, such as a bookmarks toolbar and window tabs that allow users to quickly switch among several web sites. There is also the likelihood of better security with Firefox. All indications say that Firefox is more than just a passing fad. With the USA Today and Forbes Magazine hailing it as superior to Internet Explorer, Firefox is clearly the web browser of the future. In fact, as it stands today, already 22% of the market currently employs Firefox for their browsing purposes. Don't Click on the Blue E! has been written exclusively for this growing audience. With its straightforward approach, it helps people harness this emerging technology so they can enjoy a superior--and safer--browsing experience. |
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Reader Reviews From Amazon (Ranked by 'Helpfulness') | Average Customer Rating: |  | based on 11 reviews. |
| Good Guide To Firefox , 2006-05-31 | | Reviewer rating: |  |
| With an increasing number of people disenchanted with the flaws, bugs and security holes in the world's most popular web browser (still) switching to the current open source champion, Firefox, it would seem timely to release a volume titled Don't Click on the Blue E. The number of books on Firefox is increasing by leaps and bounds - so far I've read three, fortunately all have their place. Don't Click on the Blue E is O'Reilly's latest entry into the market. It is targeted at the absolute beginner. I found it to have the usual O'Reilly quality: well-written, well-edited and well-designed.
That said, it is not without flaws. I hate most of the first chapter and see it as a waste of space. 35 pages mainly of history (some of the Net, and some of browsers) is almost self-indulgent. Certainly almost all buyers would not miss the information if it was reduced to two or three pages in the introduction or first chapter. There is some useful reasoning to justify the shift from Internet Explorer to Firefox at the end, but the rest needs a good going over with the red pencil.
I also found that for a book titled Don't Click on the Blue E, there was not enough information of the "in IE you did it this way, and in Firefox you do it this way" type. The book is a good entry-level guide to Firefox but I would have hoped for more guidance for people switching from IE to Firefox.
I'm getting a little ahead of myself. First, it has to be said that O'Reilly have done away with their usual cover and given us a bright orange cover with a graphic of a fox about to bite a familiar icon composed of a blue 'e.' I like it, this is definitely an O'Reilly book targeted outside their usual technically savvy market and deserves a different cover style.
The book feels light, despite the 250 pages, and is split into only five chapters and two appendices. As you can imagine, each chapter is a huge chunk of information, but the light writing style combined with a look that is heavy on illustrations and sidebars make it an easy read. Once again, this is a departure from O'Reilly's usual style but well suited to the likely reader. I also thought that they had used a lower grade paper than usual, probably to keep the retail cost down. As this is not a reference book to be kept for years, I didn't see this as a flaw.
I've already mentioned the first chapter; the second is devoted to installing and configuring Firefox. This is full of useful information and good illustrations to explain how to set up the browser in detail. The third chapter is how to use and manage it, covering topics such as the toolbars, the search box and adding engines, the menus, tabbed browsing and pop up blocking. The fourth deals with the add ons - plugins, themes and extensions. The final chapter is a bit of a grab bag. Titled "Advanced Firefox," it covers such topics as Live Bookmarks and searching in pages. Each chapter has a well-researched and useful "Where to Learn More" section pointing to web sites with tools and information.
This is probably not a book for the average Slashdot reader. You may like to buy a copy so you can lend it to Uncle Bob or Aunt Susan after you spend another wasted afternoon cleaning the viruses and spyware out of their PC, but I doubt you'll want a copy for yourself. Taken as a whole this is a well-written, thorough book for the absolute beginner with one or two minor flaws. Despite the book's flaws I still find myself recommending it. If you would like a better look yourself, O'Reilly have their usual page of contents and two excerpts from the book.
I would recommend this book over Firefox and Thunderbird Garage for more serious readers. Garage has an occasional quirky tone that might annoy some -- for others it might be a benefit to learning. It also has a little more detail in some areas. Of course if you want a book that covers both applications, then Garage is the only book I've found. Don't Click on the Blue e is a good volume for a beginner who doesn't need the coverage of both Firefox and Thunderbird of the "Garage" book and would like a little more detail. |
| | Perfect for Explorer veterans who have been considering switching rather than fighting Explorer, 2005-09-05 | | Reviewer rating: |  |
| | There's been a lot of news about the benefits of the Firefox browser, and Scott Granneman's Don't Click On The Blue E! explores the new features of Firefox, which eliminates many of the vulnerabilities Explorer holds. Surf faster, safely, and customize Firefox's look while controlling the pop-up ads and other problems, using Don't Click On The Blue E! as you guide. Perfect for Explorer veterans who have been considering switching rather than fighting Explorer. |
| | A basic primer on Firefox and why you would want to use it, 2005-06-12 | | Reviewer rating: | |
| This book is basically a primer on making the switch to Firefox as your web browser of choice. While Firefox is a better browser in many ways, it is not without its problems. For example, occasionally you run across a website that is poorly written and has sections that are specific to Microsoft Explorer and Microsoft update will only allow Explorer to use the update feature.
So, why change from Internet Explorer? Even with the newer versions it always seems to be a step or two behind other Internet browsers. Firefox is wonderfully convenient with tabbed browsing, better support for web standards, greater user control, and security that is so much better than Explorer as to make Explorer security appear to be non-existent. It has better pop-up blocking and far fewer infections from spyware and other malicious code. Since switching two years ago and adding GhostSurf I have not had any spyware or other infections. I spend a lot of time on the Internet and would become infested on an almost daily basis, but not anymore.
This book is designed for the person who wants to make the switch or wants to try out Firefox. Firefox can run alongside with Internet Explorer so you can learn how to use it while still having the ability to use Internet Explorer's update service and similar Microsoft only items. The authors do a good job of explaining how to setup Firefox, how to use it effectively and even how to tweak it with extensions so it works the way you want it to work. "Don't Click on the Blue e!" is highly recommended and an excellent resource for people looking to improve their browsing experience. |
| | With this book there is no reason to keep using IE, 2005-05-26 | | Reviewer rating: | |
| I quite enjoyed the book. The first chapter, which is a
bit of Internet history, was nicely done. Of course,
you don't have to read the history to find the book useful.
Granneman is easy to read and easier to understand. He takes
you through getting, setting up, and customizing Firefox
step by step. Although I have been using Firefox for sometime,
I learned a thing or two in the process of reading the book.
It is well worth the time and cost.
Dave Rogers |
| | A fun Firefox read with some very nice features..., 2005-05-25 | | Reviewer rating: | |
| Since I've already read and reviewed a couple of books on the Firefox browser, I didn't expect much new material in the latest title to hit the shelves... Don't Click On The Blue E! - Switching To Firefox by Scott Granneman (O'Reilly). But to my pleasant surprise, this actually was better than I initially thought...
Chapter List: The Problem With The Blue E; Installing And Configuring Firefox; Firefox Features; Killer Firefox Add-ons; Advanced Firefox; Other Web Browsers; Firefox Options; Index
First off, it doesn't look like a typical O'Reilly book. It's a multicolored cover with a full color wolf on the front (there just *has* to be an animal on the front!). It also doesn't spend a lot of time in the purely technical arena, either. The tone is much lighter than what you'd normally see in an O'Reilly title. The author is unabashedly a Firefox fan (and an Internet Explorer basher), so you'll get plenty of opinion interspersed with the facts and details of Firefox. If you're looking for an unbiased comparison, look elsewhere. Granneman doesn't have much nice to say about IE. But it does make for a fun read.
As for content, there's the typical coverage on features, security, flexibility, and all the "selling points" you've heard about Firefox. But there's also some material that wasn't in every other book. In the first chapter, he covers the history of browser development from the beginning up until now. You've probably heard and read all of this before, but having the story all in one place gives you an appreciation for where we've been and how far we've come. I also liked his coverage of Firefox extensions. Every author has his own favorite ones that make the browsing experience special. Reading about how others use Firefox is always useful in that it gives me ideas on how I can alter my browsing experience. Finally, Granneman does an *excellent* job of referencing all his information at the end of each chapter. You'll find an abundance of links to additional sites and white papers that will add to your understanding. Those references are almost worth the price of the book by themselves...
Even if you've already picked up a Firefox book, you might want to consider getting this one also. It's a fun read that will definitely add to your Firefox knowledge and experience... |
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