The early version of the product is expected to roll out in mid-March. The final release of IE 4.0 will be in the second quarter of 1997. Like we have said before, Internet technology is getting more and more focused on the intranet, and, thankfully, the Microsoft browser has a bit less of that focus than its competitor, Netscape Navigator 4.0.
Some of the more notable features include remembering Internet addresses (so that we wont have to key in the whole address), auto-reminding when your favourite web sites get updated and so on.
There is an even more powerful security built into the browser with the PICS standard allowing rating of web sites. This is a result of Microsofts technology, which goes by the dictum that self-regulation is better than government interference.
IE 4.0 attempts to seamlessly integrate the Internet to the desktop. This is a rather controversial step, as opinion is divided on whether the browser interface is ideally suited as a graphical user interface for the operating system. The screen shots look integrated enough, though.
Meanwhile, Netscape has released another preview version of its Communicator, into which Navigator is tightly integrated for intranet operations.
Visit Netscapes site to download it perhaps you could be watching the beginning of the companys drift away from its loyal individual-user following to the lucrative intranet market.
