REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 8, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that customers are reporting a high level of satisfaction with the Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5 beta release and its introduction of IntelliSense® technology to the Web. Over 93 percent of testers responding to an online Microsoft survey stated they were satisfied with the new simplicity features in the Internet Explorer 5 beta and that those features were directly relevant to their daily browsing.
Released for public testing one month ago, demand for the Internet Explorer 5 beta release has been more than double that for the Internet Explorer 4 public beta release over the same period, with approximately 600,000 downloads from the Microsoft Web site ( http://www.microsoft.com/ ) and Windows® Update.
“Thanks to the Microsoft IntelliSense technology, Internet Explorer 5 is delivering a breakthrough in Web-browsing simplicity,”
said Yusuf Mehdi, director of Windows marketing at Microsoft.
“Customers are telling us that this focus on simplicity in the Internet Explorer 5 beta will make it the most compelling release yet.”
The Internet Explorer 5 beta release is designed to give IT managers and PC enthusiasts an opportunity to evaluate the technology, provide feedback and become familiar with the functionality early in the development process.
Customers Pleased With Incorporation of IntelliSense Technology
Based on data gathered from nearly 1,200 respondents, customers testing Internet Explorer 5 are excited about the beta’s version incorporation of IntelliSense technology for the Web. IntelliSense is a collection of Microsoft technologies built in to the browser to simplify complex tasks and automate routine ones, saving customers time on the things they do most often on the Web.
“The Internet Explorer 5 beta release has improved my Web experience in a number of areas, but in particular when searching for information and navigating back to previously viewed sites,”
said Keith Furman, president of KeithNet, an ISV in West Nyack, N.Y.
“It is so much easier now for me to quickly find the exact pages I want.”
“I’ve enjoyed taking advantage of the IntelliSense functionality in Office for years,”
said Douglas Rohm, a network administrator in the software development industry.
“I’m pleased that Microsoft has brought this technology to the browser to make complex tasks easier and common tasks faster. My time online now is more productive, allowing me to reap the full benefits of the Web.”
Beta testers have provided additional positive feedback in a variety of areas throughout the development of the Internet Explorer 5 beta release:
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Simplicity. Internet Explorer 5 simplifies complex browsing tasks so users can spend less time worrying about their browser and more time being productive on the Web. Ninety-seven percent of respondents stated they found Internet Explorer 5 easy to use.
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Automation. The built-in intelligence of Internet Explorer 5 automates common and difficult Web tasks by eliminating unnecessary clicks and keystrokes. Ninety-three percent of users who customized the installation of Internet Explorer 5 were pleased with the way their browser enabled them to automatically install additional components as necessary, such as the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine.
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Flexibility. Internet Explorer 5 offers key enhancements to enable customers to access information from anywhere on the Web as well as integrate their browser with
the portals, search engines and applications of their choice. Eighty-nine percent of respondents found that the beta release integrated well with existing software on their PC, such as their e-mail and office productivity programs.
Hundreds of browsing tasks such as searching, navigating, organizing and accessing information have been simplified and automated throughout Internet Explorer 5 to dramatically improve the overall browsing experience.
Pricing and Availability
The Internet Explorer 5 beta release is available for free (connect-time charges may apply) from the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm and from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ . The Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 5 beta is available for download free of charge at http://ieak.microsoft.com/default.asp (connect-time charges may apply).
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, IntelliSense and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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