A GENERAL COMPARISON
MICROSOFT IE 4.0 and the earlier 3.02
Internet Explorer 4.0 (IE 4.0) was released 30 September 1997. (A link to information about IE 5 is near the bottom. It came later and improved on IE 4.)Immediately below is a comparison of the major differences between IE 4.0 and 3.02 which may be helpful. To learn more, visit the list of links at the bottom of this page. Microsoft has presentations for five major components offered with IE 4.0 -- and two other sites are linked that offer helpful IE 4.0 tips and tutorials.
Features |
4.0 |
3.02 |
| ActiveX-type plug-ins and multimedia applications such as RealAudio, RealVideo, and Shockwave.* | Yes | Yes |
| Active Channels ** |
Yes | No |
| Text Alignment - Tables wrapped by text | Yes | Yes |
| HTML Standard 4.0 Specification | Yes | No |
| True Web Integration | Yes | No |
| Scrolling Text (Marquees) | Yes | Yes |
| Video Formats Supported | MPEG, AVI, MOV, QuickTime, and CDF (Channel Definition Format) | MPEG, AVI, MOV, QuickTime |
| Audio Formats Supported | WAV, MIDI, AIFF, AU, MPEG audio | WAV, MIDI, AIFF, AU, MPEG audio |
| Enhanced Collaboration via Internet Telephony (including video conferencing, and multipoint conferencing) | Yes | No |
| Networked Multimedia software | Yes | No |
| Availability on Multi-Platforms | No | Yes |
| Security Zones*** | Yes | No |
| Offline Caching | Several types of caching features are supported: offline mail, download of favorite content and favorite sites to be read later, and tracking of your favorite channels and sites. **** | Offline Caching of mail to a minor degree. |
| Supports Active Desktop | Several types of media can be placed on the desktop (i.e., miniature web pages, stock tickers, weather reports, and news headlines for later reading, hearing, or viewing). | Supports a static desktop only. |
| Multiple Delivery Options | Content can be delivered in four different ways: (1) Full-screen mode, (2) as a Screen-saver, (3) on your computer's desktop (i.e., in a stock ticker or "mini-page" format), or, (4) through email via Channel Mail. | No |
| Parental Access Controls | Standard Internet parental control software such as: Cyber Patrol, NetNanny, SurfWatch, PICS (Parental Internet Control System) Content Rating System, Content Advisor, and Security Zones | Standard Internet parental control software such as: Cyber Patrol, NetNanny, SurfWatch, and PICS (Parental Internet Control System) Content Rating System. |
| Modem Support | Transparent to the Browser. | Transparent to the Browser. |
| Banking Services | Supports secure online banking services with SSL and a special version of IE 4.0 also supports 128-bit encryption for secure international banking transactions. | Supports secure online banking services with SSL. May include 128-bit encryption later. |
| Accountability/code signing for software downloaded from the Internet. | Yes. Uses Authenticode Version 2.0 software/code signing and checking. | Yes. Uses Authenticode software/code signing and checking. Authenticode Version 2.0 may be downloaded as a plug-in. |
| News/Sound Bytes | Supports Associated Press News, photos and sound bytes. | Supports Associated Press News, photos and sound bytes. |
| "Drag and Drop" Quicklinks | Just drag the link of the website onto the IE 4.0 Link toolbar. | Supports "Drag and Drop" Quicklinks via the "File/Create Shortcut" pulldown menu. |
| Printing Technology | Supports background printing of documents and intelligent printing options that allow you to simultaneously print all frames on the page (exactly what you see on the screen). | Supports printing of only the "active" frame. Only one frame can be printed at a time. |
| Full MIME capability. Third party software is supported. | Full MIME capability. Third party software is supported. | |
| Customizable User Interface | Allows you to completely customize the look and feel of the browser. | No |
| AutoComplete | The system completes the typing of your favorite URLs. | No |
| Performs Multiple Duties | IE 4.0 allows you to browse the Internet, an intranet, and even your own computer. No need for a separate Explorer or File Manager. | IE 3.02 is for Internet and Intranet use only. Explorer or File Manager must be used for browsing your hard drive. |
| Multiple Email Accounts | You can manage multiple email accounts from a single e-mail program. | No |
| Windows 3.1 | No. If you're using Windows 3.1, now is the perfect time to upgrade ! | Yes |
Features |
4.0 |
3.02 |
* ActiveX (Microsoft Technology) is composed of several different technologies which are used to add functionality to the Internet Explorer browser. ActiveX technology enables your browser to display multimedia (audio, video) content. For more info on ActiveX, go to the Microsoft site.
** Active Channels are a new concept which enables web sites and content to be delivered directly to your desktop. You decide which channels you want, what to download and when, and how the content should be delivered. Also called Webcasting.
*** Security Zones allow the web to be divided into numerous zones, based upon the security settings of the content. This will allow Prodigy to further customize the number and type of zones to meet your needs.
**** Users are notified when their "Favorite" sites have been updated. These updates can be automatically delivered to the desktop.
All referenced names and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Microsoft Related Links
Internet Explorer 5 is now featured on this
Internet Explorer 4 detailed information
NetMeeting
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Outlook Express
Where do I learn more?
PC Computing offers extensive
Microsoft IE 4.0 Tips
CMP TechWeb offers great
tutorials
product information site with helpful information
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/
is here if you are using that browser version
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ie40/features/?/ie/ie40/features/actchannel.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/features/
with or without MSN Messenger Service
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ie40/features/netshow.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/oe/
PC & YOU
