Better Browsing
Enjoy the Internet More
December 1999

Of course, you need a computer, but you don't need the most ultra-modern one on the block.  A good minimum would be a machine running at not less than 166mzh speed with 16 meg or RAM, using a at least a 28.8bms modem and a good telephone connection.  Of course, the more speed and the more RAM your computer has and if you have a 56msb V.90 modem or a better way to connect to the internet the more you will enjoy it.

With the computer you have the next most important thing is your browser.  There are many good browsers available, but the two "biggies", Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Communicator/Navigator are really both super pieces of software and they are both FREE!  There is no excuse not be using one of the late editions of these.  As of this writing Internet Explorer is in version 5.0 and Netscape is in version 4.7 - although IE4 and Netscape 4.0 are still "state of the art."  In fact, I recommend IE4 unless you have the very latest computer running at least 300mzh with 64meg of RAM - likewise you want this much power to use Netscape 4.7.

If you are using a PC running MS Windows95 or Windows98 (Both MS trademarks) it is very simple to upgrade to the latest browser and you get some other benefits with this.  Go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie [click on the link and it will take you there] and follow the directions to download the browser.  It does take a LONG TIME, but it is worth it.  (You can also order it on a CD very inexpensively if you don't want to take the time or buy it at a computer store, also at a very small cost.

After you install Explorer (depending upon version) you will find under the Tools or Help menu at the top an item called "Windows Update".  This is a terrific (and FREE) way to keep your operating system and browser very much up to date - be sure to update your browser fonts as soon as you can.  They make a big difference in the way things look.

To get the latest version of Navigator go to  http://www.netscape.com   [Again, click on the link to get there without retyping this long URL].  Just follow the instructions and you will have a great program.  Again, it takes a long time and you can find it on CD or at the store for a small fee.  Be sure and download some "plug-ins" such as Real Player® and Shockwave® to improve your enjoyment.

Do I have a choice?  Yes, since the "Microsoft Front Page"® program is what I (and many others) use to make web pages I think that Internet Explorer is the better browser of the two largest.  It continually wins most of the technical awards and considering that four years ago it had less than 20% of the market and now has over 60% you can easly see its merits.  However, both are really super and both come with what are probably the two best E-Mail programs that you can find at no charge.

There are some other things you can do to make using the internet easier - if possible, set the resolutions on your monitor to 800x600 (minimum) or 1024x768 (maximum) and the font size to medium (check under "Help" to see how to do this).  Most web designers go for the average and if you are using at least a 15 inch monitor set at 800x600 resolutions with medium fonts  most of the time you will not have to scroll left to right to see everything on a page.  In fact, over 95% of the pages on the MABC website would show up completely (left to right) on your monitor with these settings and this probably holds true for most of the sites on the internet.

Don't be afraid that will harm your computer with these new updates - both actually help your computer run better, even when you are not on the internet.  

The other thing I suggest is a good anti-virus program such as Norton or McAfee or one of many others.  They are inexpensive and can save your a lot of trouble.  Be sure to look for one than "scans" your email for a virus before it downloads it.