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If you've tried to wean buddies from America Online only to be told how much they love its convenient interface, Microsoft's new MSN Explorer is the perfect comeback. This free 5MB download is both a user-friendly browser and a gateway to popular (and free) MSN services--from Hotmail e-mail and a powerful search engine to Money Central personal finance applications and E-Shop shopping tools.

Throw in such AOL-like features as an attractive toolbar for easily accessing content and applications, and the capability to customize the browser for multiple local users, and you've got a pretty attractive package--especially for novices and families.

MSN needn't be your Internet service provider. The quick installation routine lets you set up a Hotmail e-mail account (if you don't have one on Hotmail or MSN). Expect multiple users? Nine people can log in and out separately under their e-mail name to access their own bookmarks, e-mail messages, and other settings--all maintained on an MSN server and accessible from any PC equipped with MSN Explorer (a feature I'd like to see expanded to Internet Explorer).

In the preview version I tested, toolbars frame the usual browser window on top and on the left. On top, color icons point to e-mail, MSN Messenger Buddy Lists, and Microsoft Web sites. The left one (called My Stuff) links to personalized content from Microsoft and its partners. On the bottom, a built-in version of Windows Media Player lets you play Web music and videos without opening yet another window.

Nice touches abound. Type an e-mail address or keyword combination into the URL window, and MSN Explorer launches an e-mail form or a search. Free U.S. or Canadian Internet phone calls are easily placed with a phone dialer, accessed somewhat awkwardly through the Buddy List.

Drawbacks? Everything is highly Microsoft-centric; you can't, for example, change your start page from the MSN home page. Still, for beginners and people who prize AOL-style convenience over the power of the more complex Internet Explorer/Outlook Express combo, MSN Explorer is well worth a try.

SUMMARY

MSN Explorer PRO: Supereasy access to Web content and services. CON: Not so convenient for non-Microsoft content and services. VALUE: This is a strong AOL alternative for Internet novices. Free Microsoft preview.msn.com