What do I want out of a browser? Part VI

Today, I will use this post to discuss the merits of having a Private Browsing Mode and Full-Page Zoom in the web browser of my dreams. These are often-overlooked features that can really make the browsing experience much more pleasant.

Private Browsing Mode

Yes, this is probably best known as “Porn Mode,” but it is extremely useful. Whenever you want to avoid leaving a cache, history, or cookies from a web site, you can just turn on Private Browsing Mode. With this feature, there is no need to go through, and wipe out the files later on. Also, this keeps awkward situations from happening. I highly suggest using this if you share your computer with anyone.

Full-Page Zoom

The way zooming used to work in Safari, only the text would be enlarged. Now, when you zoom in or out inside the browser, it dynamically scale all of the content on the page. Vector-based items (Text, SVGs) will remain crisp, but raster-based items (JPEGs, PNGs, GIFs) will degrade in quality when they enlarge. When you have full-page zoom, the layout of the page doesn’t break. It will remain consistent, and that is what I want more than any else: consistency.

You can peep the overview of all of the features in Part I. Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V drilled down on other features that I want out of a web browser.

Photo Credit: Per Ola Wiberg (Powi)

Grant is a writer from Delaware. In his spare time, Grant maintains a personal blog, hosts The Weekly Roar, hosts Quadcast, and writes for video games.