Alternatives to Internet Explorer & Outlook Ex

Welliesorter

You could also try good old NetScape.

Netscape is really just a less up-to-date version of Mozilla: there hasn't been a new version for over a year. Admittedly, this is more recent than IE. If you like Netscape, just get Mozilla. New versions (complete with security updates) are released far more often.

My own vote is for Mozilla Firefox, which loads more quickly than Mozilla. If you don't like the way it looks you can change the theme and If it doesn't have a feature you want, you can usually add it yourself in the form of an extension.

I use Mozilla Thunderbird for e-mail but wouldn't claim that it's quite as pleasant to use as Outlook Express. It's still beind developed and is improving all the time though. I use it because it isn't a breeding ground for viruses and it enables me to have the same e-mail program (and folders) in both Windows and Linux.

Typical_Scot

Hi All,
I don't see anybody mentioning Netcaptor as an alternative browser. OK you need to have IE on your computer as it uses th IE engine. I believe Netcaptor was the first browser to use tabs. Much more pleasant to use than the Microsoft offering IMHO.

peter_the_piper

If it uses the I.E engine , won't it be as full of leaks as I.E? What about the time taken to plug them?
When I used to use I.E I ran Ad-aware and Spybot every other day and regularly found rubbish of all sorts. Since changeing to firefox I rarely find anything. Still keep them updated though, just in case.
P.S.
I use Pocomail as it allows me to see all my e-mail on the server before downloading them. Helps to stop spam, virus e-mails and also anyone I don't want to speak to.

alexj2002

Another FF/TB user here. The trick is to force yourself to use it for a week or two and then you'll never go back to IE.

TB is a bit harder to get into but since setting it up properly it works better than OE in my opinion.

Some good features in FF are

Tab Browsing
Less Security Holes - Spybot's Rarely Needed.
The Search Bar (Easy to switch where it searches - mine does Google,eBay,Amazon etc. at the flick of the button. IE would need endless toolbars)

There are more but you should try it yourself and see what you think.

Alex