Late last year Microsoft released a beta version of its newest web browser, the 'Internet Explorer 5.' Most of the individuals who had the privilege of working with the new browser gave it rave reviews. In fact, Microsoft reports that over 93 percent of those responding to an online survey say that they are satisfied with Internet Explorer 5 Beta. Furthermore, demand for the Internet Explorer 5 beta release has been more than double that for the Internet Explorer 4 public beta release, with approximately 600,000 downloads. So, with much anticipation, Microsoft is set to release the full version of 'Internet Explorer 5' on March 18, 1999!
You may be asking yourself "What could be so great about this browser?" Well, Microsoft has packed 'Internet Explorer 5' (IE5) with dozens of features that are simple enough for beginners to understand, yet powerful enough for professionals to utilize. And what if you don't like some of these features? Microsoft has made it easy for you to customize IE5 to your own preferences. Features can be activated and deactivated independently of each other with only a few simple mouse-clicks. That's quite a bit of flexibility for a free browser!
Listed below are some of the new features users are so excited about:
User Friendly HTTP error messages: Tired of those boring, unhelpful 404 error messages? IE5 replaces them with more user friendly messages which include recommendations and possible solutions for the problem.
AutoCorrect: You no longer have to worry about making a typo in the beginning of a web address. Autocorrect will fix typographical errors for you. For instance, 'htpp://' would automatically be replaced with 'http://'.
AutoInstall: This feature can be set to automatically install components required by a web page.
AutoSearch: Say you can only remember part of a web address. Go ahead and type the part that you remember. AutoSearch will perform a Web search and automatically display the results.
Save an entire web page: By default,the 'Save As' option will save an entire web page, including images.
Go!: Instead of tapping the ENTER key, IE5 allows you to click on the 'Go' button after typing a web address into the Address Bar.
Multiple Connections: Do you have more than one internet connection to your computer? IE5 gives you the option of selecting which connection you would like to use.
In addition to the above features, IE5 displays web pages faster than ever by utilizing disk and memory cache more efficiently. The full 'Internet Explorer 5' download will also include the following Internet tools:
Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 - For sending/receiving e-mail and subscribing to newsgroups.
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.0 - To take advantage of streaming audio and video broadcasts.
Microsoft FrontPage Express 2.0 - For creating web pages in a 'What you see is what you get' platform similar to a word processor.
Wallet 3 - Allows you to purchase goods and services on the web. Funds are automatically removed from your checking or savings account. If you don't have enough available funds, the transfer will not be permitted. This helps to protect the buyer as well as the seller.
VRML 2.0 Viewer - For viewing virtual reality features within web pages. Imagine taking an interactive, on-line tour through a house you're thinking about buying. Instead of seeing a few photos the seller has selected, you can decide where you want to go. First, you walk through the front door. You may decide to move into the kitchen, or maybe you'll want to go upstairs to view the master bedroom. VRML makes this interactive tour possible.
The following websites contain reviews and commentaries on IE5:
webreview.com
http://webreview.com/wr/pub/98/12/11/feature/index.html
PC World Online
http://www.pcworld.com/top400/article/0,1361,9021,00.html
CPM Net
http://techweb.com/smallbiz/using113098.html
CPS Magic Web
http://www.cpsweb.com/ie5dp.htm
If you'd like to hear what users are saying about IE5, WinPlanet sports an 'Internet Explorer 5 Discussion Forum.' The forum is located at:
http://winplanet.com/discussion/Forum1/HTML/000003.html
For official information on 'Internet Explorer 5,' or to reserve your copy, you can visit Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web Site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm
Many are calling IE5 the 'Perfect Browser.' I'm not so sure it will be 'perfect,' but I believe that on March 18 web browsing will be taken to a new level. On that date, you and I will most likely be among millions of others downloading 'Internet Explorer 5.'
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Internet Explorer 5 - Coming Soon by Robert Viers