I have always been an advocate of Microsoft over the years because I think
they have been
responsible for the vast improvement of computers and ultimately the
internet because of
their efforts..

That has changed. I'm an old guy (76) who has enjoyed working with computers
and programs
and have developed a better-than-average knowledge, so I'm able to help
other seniors when
they have problems of one type or another.. I don't mean to suggest I'm an
expert but I do have
the ability to clean their systems of viruses, worms, TH and parasites along
with correcting
functional problems with their computers.

More and more I find continuing problems with Internet Explorer and Outlook
Express..

Recently a friend, using Win98SE, IE and OE 6 is having problems with IE
being unable
to download files and being extremely slow (he has a broadband connection
that shows
1.5Mbps throughput) and his OE is realllllly slow; not only opening but in
every function
of the program. It is really nerve wracking..

I attempted to research the problems going to the various newsgroups;
searching Google
for answers and going to Microsoft support functions. None of the supposed
solutions
worked. As much as I don't like to, I changed some of the Registry settings
that were
recommended and still no improvement.. for some reason IE has been
corrupted..

I then went to Opera, downloaded and installed it on my own system and
changed the
account settings to receive my e-mail through their client.. It worked great
other than
it will not play audio embedded in the message. It does have other features
that are
better than OE.. The Opera browser is much faster and cleaner and they have
a option
for voice for readback to those who have vision problems.. A good idea..

I then installed Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. Their new version is much
improved
and their Thunderbird beats OE hands down.

Yesterday I went to my friends home and installed Mozilla Firefox and
Thunderbird.
He is really happy with the results. His browser works great and he is able
to
download files and programs.. I downloaded a new version of the free AVAST
anti-virus program and it was fast.

It took just a few minutes to transfer his OE address book (automatically)
and all
his messages to Thunderbird. It even transferred the account information;
POP
settings and SMTP settings .. The only thing that had to be entered was the
password which made sense..

Again, I hate to be critical of Microsoft but enough is enough.. They are
supposed
to be coming out with a new version of IE and OE but people with older OS
can't
use them..

I have a 3.00Mhz Intell processor, 160GB HD, 1 GB RAM, 19" CRT monitor
and most of the bells and whistles in case you might think I'm still
operating with
Win98..

Some of you might not realize it, but open C:\Windows and see the tremendous
number of Security updates your system has installed.. So far I have 431MB
of
security updates on my system..

HELLO????? That should tell you something..!!!!

Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous
New Year.. Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa also..

God Bless!!

EMP troll alert!

JR wrote:
> I have always been an advocate of Microsoft over the years because I think
> they have been
> responsible for the vast improvement of computers and ultimately the
> internet because of
> their efforts...