Internet Explorer 5.0, the latest in a long line of Internet browsers from Microsoft, was made available to the public in beta, or test, form earlier this month. The timing was somewhat ironic. Microsoft has been in the midst of a trial, accused by the U.S. Justice Department of a variety of uncompetitive practices, including an effort to squeeze out Netscape, producer of Communicator, a rival Internet browser. \n Although this is the first time IE 5.0 has been offered to the public, it was available to developers since June to help locate the inevitable bugs that seem to plague virtually every new browser. It is expected that Microsoft will ship a final version of the browser by the end of this year or early next year. \n Netscape released its beta version of the Communicator 4.5 on Oct. 19. It can be downloaded at home.netscape.com/computing/download (Recommended). The company is expected to make further improvements in a new browser, the Communicator 5.0, in the near future. \n So what's so new and improved about the IE 5.0? According to Microsoft, the browser has a new and better way of managing favorites (or bookmarks), a more refined search mechanism, an improved History feature (that keeps track of Web sites and pages visited), an superior e-mail client, and a new ability to save entire Web pages--graphics and HTML code--to a hard disk. \n Among other new features is AutoComplete, which offers to save passwords for sites that require log-in for access. It's a handy time-saver, particularly for those who are not overly concerned about security. \n The browser is available for download at numerous sites, including Microsoft's own www.microsoft.com. During the setup, the user is given the option of keeping the previous edition, IE 4.0, and downloading components to be installed later. In addition, those who download will be asked if they want Web pages, media content and mail addresses associated with Internet Explorer. Microsoft recommends that antivirus software be disabled temporarily before IE 5.0 is installed. \n IE 5.0 requires lots of space. The full install can hog up 60 MB of room on the hard disk. Even a customized version, and one without, Microsoft's Outlook Express, will take ut 30 MB of space. \n In messages to Web developers and authors in connection with its earlier test version, Microsoft said IE 5.0 will provide faster page rendering and data processing, in part because of new support for "fixed" table layouts. The new browser is able to display the table without having to first calculate its minimum and maximum size. That way, table content can be displayed even as the rest of the page is loading.
All models were at least 18 years old at the time of their performance. 18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement.
