Meryl's Notes Blog

Microsoft has released IE 6.0 and lists the new features. First, it does not come with built-in Java support. Downloading Java separately is a pain. Plus, IE Win, versions 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 no longer support Netscape-style plug-ins, such as the plug-in installed as part of QuickTime and earlier versions.

It sounds like more trouble than it’s worth to download and install, download and install… download and install (the plug-ins and Java). The new features? They don’t sound too exciting: Easier downloading (easy for me especially with Download Accelerator), image toolbar to ease the grabbing and printing of pictures (whoo hoo), media bar - user interface for locating and playing media within the browser window (hmm, this may have possibilities), auto image resize (a decent idea), and tools for protecting privacy (yeah… MS would know all about that).

It really doesn’t sound like an upgrade worthy of a whole new version number. It’s an excuse to have something roll out with XP. I could be a good little reporter and actually download the thing and tell you about it. When it comes to browsers… I like to sit and wait for the original release to get cleaned up. Since IE 5.5 works and has few problems, I’ll stick with the oldie.

I actually did download Netscape 6.0 and it was horrible. I tried so hard to get used to it and like it since it was standards compliant unlike 4.7x and older. It sucked so much… off with its head. 6.1 came out and it’s a goodie.