Browsers and Email Clients
By Peggie Brown (original written in 2000, updated 2004 with Editor's Notes)
Browsers
Browsers come in all sorts of sizes and configurations. You must know something about browsers to even be reading this, since a browser is the utility program one uses to access content on the Internet. The unfortunate feature of browsers has been that each has its own abilities and the major browsers are not completely compatible. Therefore, what works with one, doesn't necessarily work with the other and site may even look different depending on the browser used.
The best known and most frequently used browsers are Netscape (owned but abandoned by AOL) and Internet Explorer owned by Microsoft. Netscape set the standard for browsers in the early 1990's with its innovation and constant expansion of browser capabilities. This innovation set up the browser wars between Netscape and Microsoft. Internet Explorer was a "johnny come lately" and only began to really innovative in the mid 1990's when it was clear that Netscape dominated the market. In 1998 it is estimated that Netscape and Internet Explorer equally shared the browser market. By the beginning of the year 2000, it's clear that Internet Explorer leads the browser pack and Netscape lags in rolling out updated product. The most current version of Netscape as of this writing in version 4.72; (and of course, 1 day after I write this, Netscape releases 6.0 - download the first beta at Netscape. Editor Note: Netscape continued forward with 7.0. Internet Explorer has currently released a beta of its version 5.5. Editor Note: IE in 2003 released 6.01. Either Netscape 4.72 or Internet Explorer 5.5 beta versions may be downloaded at CNet or many other sites. Both browsers are free.
Post script regarding Netscape: Users of the new Netscape 6.0 are reporting both good and bad things about the new Netscape. Some report problems with downloading and actually opening the new beta.Those able to use it report it looks very much like previous versions of Internet Explorer but is lighter (approximately 5.5 MB for the browser versus the approximate 7.5 for Internet Explorer). Some users have reported immediate crashes. Others have reported no problems other than the need to get use to the new interface (for us Internet Explorer users that won't be a problem). A report as of 04/06/00 indicated that AOL has announced it will convert to the new Netscape browser when its contract with Internet Explorer runs out. Editor Note: Netscape 7.0 improved, proved less quirky.
Alternative choices in browsers include Opera. Opera is known for being light weight and fast. Opera requires just 6 MB of RAM. Those with older equipment find Opera to be the best choice since they can conserve both hard disk space and RAM. Opera runs on 386SX machines. Learn more about Opera and download a 30 day trial version at Opera. Opera currently runs $35 for a single copy and is in beta version 2 of Opera 4.0. Editor Note: Opera has continued improving and as of 2004 is in 7.51 version.
NetCaptor is another option, but in the writer's opinion not a true browser since it requires Internet Explorer to be operational. NetCaptor is a standalone application that uses services provided by Microsoft Internet Explorer to render and navigate HTML. NetCaptor currently requires Internet Explorer 4/5 to be installed on the client computer in order to function. NetCaptor opens sites on separate browser tabs and provides an indication of loading status of the active and inactive tabs. With NetCaptor you can organize a "Captor Group". A CaptorGroup is a group of links that are grouped and stored together and allow users single-click access to multiple web sites. It also allows for automatic closing of annoying popup windows. NetCaptor is free but comes with display advertisement and at one time was associated with Aureate Media (now known as Radiate). Version 6.0 is due to be released through ZDNet on April 06, 2000. You can learn more about NetCaptor.
NetPositive is a speedy and simple Web browser for the BeOS platform, an operating system developed by Be.com. Since it is the only released, high-quality Web browser for BeOS, it is one of the most popular applications in use on the BeOS platform. NetPostive is currently free and requires the Be operating system. Find out more about NetPositive and BeOS.
NeoPlanet integrates a web browser, e-mail client, instant messaging, chat, web directory, search engine, and user-created communities all into a single application. Weighing in under 2.0 MB, NeoPlanet also claims speed. NeoPlanet offers "skins", decorative graphics and sounds which can be changed at will and Flyswat, a utility for searching sites to locate specific content. NeoPlanet is also currently free and offering version 5.1. Learn about and download atNeoPlanet.
In 2003 Foxfire was released and became the darling of web designers and those that appreciate small downloads and reliable browsers. Even more interesting is that Foxfire is an open source project, and free of charge to users..
E-Mail Clients
Like browsers, there are many email clients, including those offered by several of the browsers mentioned above. SpreadMsg Lite provides automated rule-based messaging to alpha pagers, digital cellular and GSM phones, PDA's, or email. The Lite version, which is free, features an Email scanning agent that searches the user's email waiting at their ISP, examining it for user-specified content, for mail from a specific person, for mail containing specific words in the "subject", etc. If the user rules are satisfied, the wireless (or email) message is created and delivered.
Shoutmail (now defunct) offers the first free Web-by-phone account that can be accessed entirely by phone. Shoutmail members can retrieve messages from their free Web-based email accounts @Shoutmail.com, or from their current ISP-based or Web-based email accounts, such as Yahoo, and make them accessible by phone. A Shoutmail account lets you listen to your email, and send new messages by recording voice-attachments to anyone with an email address, all from an ordinary telephone, cell phone or new wireless Web device based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Shoutmail uses sophisticated text-to-speech technology to convert email into voice messages.
Postcast Professional Edition runs $299 and offers complete automation, a complete SMTP server and a scheduler which performs pre-assigned functions without user interaction. Other features include ability to create a customer database, extract information from web pages and include in an email message, extract information from web forms and much more. Less expensive versions with less features are available.
Eudora (now also defunct but Thunderbird is quite similar) made by Qualcomm Inc. is probably the best known email client outside a browser and is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Just recently Eudora began offering its full program free, however the free version contains advertisement and data is collected regarding your demographics. A non-advertisement version can be purchased for about $50.00. Eudora Light remains ad free and without charge. The Eudora site offers a tutorial including message filtering, address book entries, set up accounts and signature files.
An additional list of E-Mail Clients available can be found at DaveCentral. Also see Free Email Providers Guide to search the approximately 1200 free email services in 85 countries and learn more about FEPG's free fax, free voicemail, free long distance calls, and other free services
