My, Oh My, Microsoft
| Category: Website Design and Development | Date: 2003-10-25 |
OK. I have to finally say something nice about Microsoft. I downloaded the final version of IE6 and OE6 (for those that dont know the acronyms, Internet Explorer and Outlook Express) and I am impressed. I am also thankful I have cable Internet. The whole package was over 15,000kb. A standard modem would take at least 90 minutes to download. Cable was about 7 minutes. But if you are going to download it, let me give you a few tips.
When you start the download from Microsoft Update (in your Start menu) it will tell you that it is a small download size. That is only the installer. After the installer loads you will be presented with some options, "Typical" and "Minimum or Custom". Take the "Minimum/Custom" option. This allows you to pick the components you want to download and install. If you have a dialup connection you can do part now and more later if time is tight.
The main items you want initially are Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. I also recommend Media Player and Active X. The rest is up to you to decide. If you have an older Puter you may not want all the extras. You should have at least a Pentium 350 with 64MB RAM or memory (not to be confused with hard drive space). 128MB of memory is preferable. If you are confused about the difference between memory, hard drive space, RAM, ROM and CPU speed, you can request an article I did not long ago that explains all of this so you can make sense out of it. gail@webworksathome.com?subject=RAMarticle
Version 6 has a lot of great features but most of them you will not notice. They are underlying and help the programs run more stable. You will get an e-mail with the installation of OE6 that will explain all of the features, and the help files in both programs are much easier to understand. The majority of the improvements will show up as you use the programs. The biggest improvement is far less crashes in Internet Explorer. I really like that (big grin). Remember that some crashes are caused by the sites you visit. Java, frames and some of the new Web design tricks are the culprits. IE6 handles them much better.
If you enjoy stationary to send your personal e-mail, OE6 has a great stationary wizard that will allow you to create some kool ways to make e-mail more fun. You dont have to know much of anything except where your graphic files are. (Of course if you are one of our regular readers, you have read our helpful articles explaining all of these little things. If not, you had better subscribe or you will miss a lot of easy to understand help on using your Puter.)
Now for the downside. Microsoft products are one of the major targets for viruses. Outlook, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer have become one of the major carriers of some of those viruses going around. Make sure you are running a good anti-virus program and keep the DAT files updated at least 2 or 3 times a week. If you dont understand this, I suggest you unplug your Puter and put it back in the box. Or get an anti-virus program and learn how to use it. This is now a way of life on the Internet. Viruses can destroy your Puter and be passed along to other Puters you send e-mail to. It is as serious as a heart attack.
As you may well know, I dont have a lot of love for MS Word and Front Page. Besides the problems of the programs themselves, Word is one of the biggest targets of virus developers. Well, Microsoft, you got one compliment out of me. Try and impress me again. Will I like Windows XP? I still have a ways to go before I decide if I am going to get it. Meanwhile, download IE6 and OE6. I think you will like them.
Happy Putering,
Mike Smith, esm
About the Author
Your Internet Friend, Mike Smith, of CM/YMTC,
http://cmymtc.com, is an experienced site designer, writer, and master in Ebook and Ezine creation and marketing. His affordable two-book Easy Guide package will teach you everything you need to know to produce successful Ebooks and Ezines. You can even share in the profits with his Affiliate program.
http://www.makemoneyhowto.com/clkbnksale1.htm
webmaster@coyote1marketing.com
http://www.makemoneyhowto.com
When you start the download from Microsoft Update (in your Start menu) it will tell you that it is a small download size. That is only the installer. After the installer loads you will be presented with some options, "Typical" and "Minimum or Custom". Take the "Minimum/Custom" option. This allows you to pick the components you want to download and install. If you have a dialup connection you can do part now and more later if time is tight.
The main items you want initially are Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. I also recommend Media Player and Active X. The rest is up to you to decide. If you have an older Puter you may not want all the extras. You should have at least a Pentium 350 with 64MB RAM or memory (not to be confused with hard drive space). 128MB of memory is preferable. If you are confused about the difference between memory, hard drive space, RAM, ROM and CPU speed, you can request an article I did not long ago that explains all of this so you can make sense out of it. gail@webworksathome.com?subject=RAMarticle
Version 6 has a lot of great features but most of them you will not notice. They are underlying and help the programs run more stable. You will get an e-mail with the installation of OE6 that will explain all of the features, and the help files in both programs are much easier to understand. The majority of the improvements will show up as you use the programs. The biggest improvement is far less crashes in Internet Explorer. I really like that (big grin). Remember that some crashes are caused by the sites you visit. Java, frames and some of the new Web design tricks are the culprits. IE6 handles them much better.
If you enjoy stationary to send your personal e-mail, OE6 has a great stationary wizard that will allow you to create some kool ways to make e-mail more fun. You dont have to know much of anything except where your graphic files are. (Of course if you are one of our regular readers, you have read our helpful articles explaining all of these little things. If not, you had better subscribe or you will miss a lot of easy to understand help on using your Puter.)
Now for the downside. Microsoft products are one of the major targets for viruses. Outlook, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer have become one of the major carriers of some of those viruses going around. Make sure you are running a good anti-virus program and keep the DAT files updated at least 2 or 3 times a week. If you dont understand this, I suggest you unplug your Puter and put it back in the box. Or get an anti-virus program and learn how to use it. This is now a way of life on the Internet. Viruses can destroy your Puter and be passed along to other Puters you send e-mail to. It is as serious as a heart attack.
As you may well know, I dont have a lot of love for MS Word and Front Page. Besides the problems of the programs themselves, Word is one of the biggest targets of virus developers. Well, Microsoft, you got one compliment out of me. Try and impress me again. Will I like Windows XP? I still have a ways to go before I decide if I am going to get it. Meanwhile, download IE6 and OE6. I think you will like them.
Happy Putering,
Mike Smith, esm
About the Author
Your Internet Friend, Mike Smith, of CM/YMTC,
http://cmymtc.com, is an experienced site designer, writer, and master in Ebook and Ezine creation and marketing. His affordable two-book Easy Guide package will teach you everything you need to know to produce successful Ebooks and Ezines. You can even share in the profits with his Affiliate program.
http://www.makemoneyhowto.com/clkbnksale1.htm
webmaster@coyote1marketing.com
http://www.makemoneyhowto.com
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