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Internet Explorer 5: Search and Explore

Credit the never-ending game of browser one-upsmanship that Netscape and Microsoft play. The new IE 5 trumps Netscape Communicator with smarter searching and accelerated browsing.

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More Browser Comparisons

IE 5 isn't competing against Netscape's browsers only. Here's how it stacks up against other major browsers, including IE 4.

If You're Running Internet Explorer 4

You've got a working solution. With IE 5, you'd get better file transfers and improved AutoComplete. Should you upgrade? Small but worthwhile refinements point to yes.

If you were expecting a completely new interface in IE 5, you'll be disappointed. Aside from having dumped the channel button and added an AOL-like Go button next to the address box, IE 5 closely resembles last year's model. Look deeper, however, and you'll find significant changes.

IE 5 lets you sort previously visited Web sites by date visited, frequency of visit, or alphabetical order, whereas IE 4 sorted only by date, then alphabetically by domain. More significantly, the IE 5 History pane now includes a text box for searching words in a title or Web address.

Another important difference in this latest version: IE 5 heeds the call of users who don't want their browser to change the look of their operating system, and it doesn't take over Windows 95 the way IE 4 did. Windows 98 lets you browse your desktop files and applications with IE 5, but the only way to get Web integration on Windows 95 with IE is to install the new version over IE 4.

Combine the hands-off approach toward your desktop with features to reduce repetitive typing, and it's time to trade in IE 4 for the newer model.

If You're Running Opera 3.51

You've got a simple, fast alternative browser. With IE 5, you'd get the latest features. Should you upgrade? No. You chose Opera for a reason--and it's still a good one.

In the age of free browsers, faithful Opera lovers pony up $35 to register for this nimble shareware application. The program is speedy, simple to use, and small. IE 5's minimum installation is more than three times larger than Opera's. But the compact size of Opera (1.7MB) requires some sacrifices. For example, you won't find fancy add-ons like IE 5's full-featured mail client, Outlook Express. Instead, Opera offers a newsreader, but its mail client is send-only.

Although earlier versions of Opera hiccuped when displaying pages, version 3.51 measures up well against IE 5 in page fidelity. More important, the program performs well on older computers that have little memory. If your needs and your system are low-fi, Opera continues to perform in a class by itself.

If You're Running AOL, IE 3, or Navigator 3.x or Older

You've got the convenience of what you know. With IE 5, you'd get cleaner page formatting and speed. Should you upgrade? Probably yes, but the convenience of your existing solution may overshadow new IE 5 features.

If you didn't jump for 4.0 versions of Netscape's and Microsoft's browsers, you're probably not lusting after IE 5 either. Maybe you're comfortable with the familiar, or you're thoroughly satisfied with the features you have now. Either way, if you haven't noticed that anything's missing, stay where you are. On the other hand, if you're plagued by JavaScript errors--or if you want a browser that can upload files, use the latest standards, and automatically fix commonly mistyped words--Internet Explorer 5 is your ticket to the modern world.

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