REDMOND, Wash., May 13, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that leading Internet content providers (ICPs) are joining top Internet portal Web sites to provide unique customizations to Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5 that enhance their users’ Web experience. The most recent content providers customizing and distributing Internet Explorer 5 span a breadth of consumer interest areas and include GoTo.com, Bloomberg, CNET, Forbes, SurfMonkey.com and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). These providers join the more than 1,000 ICPs who have already chosen to distribute Internet Explorer 5, including seven of the most frequently visited Internet sites: AltaVista, Excite, Infoseek Corp.’s GO Network, Lycos, the MSN
™
network of Internet services, Snap and Yahoo!.
“Internet Explorer 5 is proving to be the most popular browser software ever, and a key reason is the support from leading content providers,” said Rob Bennett, Windows® group product manager at Microsoft.
“The combination of the breakthrough performance and simplicity the browser offers along with the breadth of customization opportunities it provides Internet content providers make Internet Explorer 5 the integrated Web solution of choice.”
The Browser of Choice for a Customized Web Experience
Internet Explorer 5 enables Internet content providers to enhance their user’s Web experience by better linking the browser with their Internet offerings. Using tools such as the Internet Explorer Administration Kit 5, ICPs are able to build on the breakthrough performance and simplicity to easily tailor the browser to better meet the needs of their unique customers.
Using the Web Accessories customization feature in Internet Explorer 5, content providers can provide unique browsers with integrated features such as language translation utilities or customized explorer bars that provide users seamless access to top news, stock quotes, Web-based mail, and more. For example, Bloomberg will offer a customized browser that includes a Web Accessory which links directly to Bloomberg financial news, stock quotes and other financial information.
“For our customers, easy access to timely information is critical,”
said Jonathan Fram, general manager of Interactive Media at Bloomberg L.P.
“With the Bloomberg-customized version of Internet Explorer, we will be able to provide our audiences even faster and uninterrupted access to breaking news, stock quotes and top financial information.”
Another ICP planning to provide a customized version of Internet Explorer 5 is the World Wrestling Federation. The WWF New Media Network, which includes wwf.com, stonecold.com and WrestlemaniaXV.com, is one of the most popular destinations on the Web, receiving over
85 million page views a month. The WWF will provide a customized version of Internet Explorer 5 that is specially designed for fans of
“Stone Cold”
Steve Austin, the WWF Heavyweight Champion.
“The World Wrestling Federation fans have an insatiable appetite for new and creative product offerings,”
said Bob Mitchell, senior vice president of New Media.
“With customized versions of Internet Explorer 5, we will continue to give our fans a way to express their affiliation with the WWF and the Federation superstars.”
Customized Web Accessories for the Internet Explorer 5 browser will also help make surfing the Internet safer and more approachable for children. SurfMonkey.com, makers of the popular Web browser just for kids, will soon be providing a Web Accessory customized specifically for families called the SurfMonkey Explorer Bar. The SurfMonkey Explorer Bar will allow parents to block access to inappropriate sites and filter out bad language while enabling kids to surf to safe, fun and educational sites within a simple and engaging interface.
“One of the biggest challenges for parents today is providing a safe environment for their children to freely enjoy the benefits of the Web,”
said David Smith, CEO of SurfMonkey.com.
“The richness of Internet Explorer 5 enables us, with the SurfMonkey Explorer Bar, to utilize several Microsoft technologies resulting in a customized family product that offers unmatched parental safety controls, while providing a Web exploring experience for kids that is truly inviting and exciting.”
Record Demand for Internet Explorer 5
Internet content providers delivering customized versions of Internet Explorer 5 since the browser’s launch on March 18, 1999, are experiencing strong demand for the browser software. For example, completed downloads of the AltaVista-customized version of Internet Explorer 5 have exceeded 130,000.
“We’re in awe of the tremendous customer response to our custom version of Internet Explorer 5,”
said Celia Francis, Director of Marketing for AltaVista.
“We’ve seen more than 130,000 downloads thus far, and it’s only been available on AltaVista for 56 days. That’s more than 1.6 downloads every 60 seconds!”
Availability
Internet Explorer 5 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/ . Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 5 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.
