Internet Explorer 3.0
At the time of going to press with this CD, Microsoft had released the second beta to Internet Explorer 3.0. By the time you read this, the final version of the product should be shipping.
Although pretty stable, this is a beta version. If you feel a bit nervous, use this browser to point to
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ for the shipping version.
Microsoft have also supplied a list of
known issues
that they intend to address in time for final release.
Background
Microsoft's latest volley in the browser war not only catches up with Netscape Naviagator in key areas such as frames and Java support, it also includes a number of other new features, including:
Personalisation
Personalising Internet Explorer 3.0 allows you to customise your browser to alter your tool bars and add your own favourite URLs as icons.
Ratings
Concerned about what's out there? IE 3.0 lets you take control of what your children view on the Web.
Communication Features
NetMeeting
You can run Web phone, application sharing, white-board, and chat across the Internet with this new communications tool.
Internet Mail & News
Email and newsgroup surfing can now happen from the comfort of your browser.
Comic Chat
Make your Internet chats more fun with this comic-strip style chat client - no, seriously!
Active Content Features
ActiveX Controls
Stop looking at the same old boring pages. ActiveX controls bring rich, active, exciting content to the Web.
ActiveX Scripting
Based on the Visual Basic programming language, Web pages can come alive with ActiveX scripting.
ActiveX Documents
An easy way to share your favorite documents over the Web.
Java Support
Internet Explorer features its own Just In Time Java compiler to accelerate applet execution.
Multimedia
Movies, music, sounds, virtual worlds - no other browser brings all the excitement of multimedia to the Web.
Security Features
Secure Communications
Security support assures that your online communications travel across the 'Net without interception.
Authenticode
Allows you to control what gets downloaded to your computer.
Client Authentication
Protect your privacy and identity on the 'Net.