Microsoft's new browser a hit with users
Oct.
5, 1997
By JIM BROOKS
Microsoft Corp. unveiled its new Internet Explorer 4.0 Web browser
on Tuesday, and it was greeted by throngs of Net users seeking to
download it.
According to Microsoft, their Web site (www.microsoft.com) recorded
more than 1 million download requests in the first 48 hours -- a
rate of more than six copies per second. The high demand set a record
for Microsoft's Web site -- even without counting the numerous other
copies downloaded from other sites on the World Wide Web.
Microsoft's site -- one of the four busiest sites on the Internet
-- recorded more than 1.5 million visitors on Tuesday alone.
At the official launch of the new Web browser, company Chairman
Bill Gates said the new browser will allow the company to expand
its market share over arch-rival Netscape Communications.
Internet Explorer now holds about a 36 percent share of the Web
browser market, according to Redwood, Calif.-based firm Zona Research.
Like Netscape's Communicator browser suite launched in June, Internet
Explorer also supports "push" technology that allows content
to be sent automatically to a Web user.
Microsoft has lined up more than 700 channels of content from Web
sites available to users of IE 4.0. The list ranges from National
Geographic to NBC, to the Weather Channel and MTV.
IE4.0 REVIEWED. The editors at PC Week had plenty to say
about the new Internet Explorer 4.0.
Microsoft has included new features to the Web browser interface
like a full-screen mode and the ability for Windows 95 and NT users
to turn their desktop into a Web-like interface.
This option isn't for everyone, especially if you're content to
leave your Windows desktop alone. If you download and installl the
new browser, carefully read all the options and read-me files to
make sure you don't install unwanted components.
And be sure to have enough hard drive space available. Depending
on the components you install with the browser, you can expect it
to take between 40 and 70 MB of hard drive space.
In conclusion, PC Week Lab reviewers called Internet Explorer 4.0
"a massive improvement over the 3.0 version, providing a better
all-around browsing experience than its biggest competitor, Netscape
Communicator."
To see how the software package scored in the comprehensive testing,
visit PC Week's IE4.0 reviews at www.pcweek.com/reviews/.
NET PRANKS. Following the official launch party Tuesday
for Microsoft's new Web browser, some Microsoft employees apparently
finished the party with by pulling a prank on rival Netscape Communications.
Netscape employees found a huge blue letter "e" standing
at their company's front door Wednesday morning. The "e"
is the Internet Explorer logo, and the 10-by-12-foot letter had
been part of the stage display at the Microsoft party Tuesday night.
A Netscape spokesman said a card was attached to the "e"
that read "From the IE team."
The attempted humor was apparently lost on a Netscape spokesman
who called the prank "awfully immature ... it's something you'd
expect from a startup, not the largest software company in the world."
Microsoft declined comment on the incident.
But Netscape employees did score the last word in the incident.
Workers perched a copy of the green Godzilla-like "Mozilla"
Netscape creature on top of the "e," with a sign that
said "Netscape 72, Microsoft 18" -- referring to the company's
claimed market share.
WATER QUALITY ONLINE. The Environmental Protection Agency
has launched a new Web site aimed at helping consumers learn about
the quality of the water in the areas they live.
The Web site catalogs EPA wathershed quality information for U.S.
states, and can be accessed at www.epa.gov/surf/iwi/.
You can locate your specific watershed by zip code, name of a city,
or by clicking on a U.S. map.
The site as links to state and federal related sites on water quality
as well. The site also has contact information for various agencies
and e-mail links.
The watershed assessment project is an ongoing project that will
be updated regularly.
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