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25 Jan 07 - 08:13 AM (#1947500) Subject: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: freda underhill Story so far.. I have been happily using Windows XP for a few years. A week or so ago my computer system prompted me to install updates, and I found myself downloading Windows Internet Explorer 7. I didn't use my computer for a few days, and came home this evening to use it and found that the new Windows Internet Explorer 7 was installed, but was frozen, in fact my whole computer was catatonic. (luckily I've also installed Firefox, but that too was initially paralysed). After turning it off & on, & I deleted Windows Internet Explorer 7 from my system and its now chugging away happily again using the old XP. I'm still not sure whether that update was the real thing, or whether I unknowingly downloaded a virus. So I googled "Windows Internet Explorer 7 virus" - and google bought up a link saying "News results for Windows Internet Explorer 7 virus". When I went to that link, the screen went black, the computer turned itself off and when I turned it back on again told me that the system had recovered from a serious error. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did I download a virus masquerading as an update? freda |
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25 Jan 07 - 08:33 AM (#1947514) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Scrump With software products as efficient and reliable as Microsoft's, who needs viruses? :-) |
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25 Jan 07 - 09:14 AM (#1947537) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Black Diamond Hi Freda Im not a techy so cant actually help you on the virus thing, but I downloaded that update at work, and although the computer worked as usual, it wouldnt go on the internet at all. However my IT support told me that this new Explorer is full of little quirks, and if I were to physically pull out the electric supply cable to the router, and then put it back in, it should then work OK - and lo and behold it did!! Apparently loads of people had problems and he was busy sorting them all out. I know this doesnt help your problem, but you are not alone Lin |
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25 Jan 07 - 09:27 AM (#1947549) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: bfdk I was offered the update a few days back but politely declined. I think the product is genuine (from Windows Update), but I just didn't feel like undertaking an update of my mail program without having a back-up of old mails, address book etc. Having heard your story I shall think even harder before accepting the update when next I'm prompted ;-) Best wishes, Bente |
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25 Jan 07 - 09:29 AM (#1947554) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: bfdk Oops, seems I'm writing in my sleep here.. Suddenly can't remember if it was IE or Outlook Express I was offered.. Sorry! |
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25 Jan 07 - 09:42 AM (#1947560) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Les from Hull Well I'm using IE7, no problems at all. I much prefer it to earlier versions - it's got tabs for multiple webpages, easy zoom levels and many things that its competitors had. And it cost nowt. I'm sure that more people will take care to make sure that their websites are compatible with this Microsoft product than any other. Look, I know that it's trendy and cool to knock Microsoft and its products, but I didn't get where I am today by being trendy and cool! |
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25 Jan 07 - 09:53 AM (#1947567) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: DMcG When I downloaded IE7, my VPN connection stopped working and reboots the PC if I try. As I don't use VPN from that PC very often I can't be 100% sure IE7 is responsible, but I can't think of many other things it could be. Admittedly, CISCO have a more up-to-date version of the VPN client available, but the old one worked happily up to now. |
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25 Jan 07 - 10:03 AM (#1947575) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Stilly River Sage You can uninstall IE7 and revert back to your IE6 settings. There have been discussions here at Mudcat about how to do it. I have IE7 on my work computer and find it rather odd looking. My computer downloaded the update automatically, but I knew it was coming soon and when it queried me to install I looked to see what was there and unchecked IE7. So I have the program in the computer but it isn't installed, and isn't likely to be any time soon. SRS |
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25 Jan 07 - 10:16 AM (#1947583) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: mack/misophist When dealing with windows update, or any other sensitive site, it's a good idea to ignore any link offered by a second party and enter the url yourself. Phishing and spoofing, you know. Even if the links always seem correct it's good policy not to trust them. |
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25 Jan 07 - 10:30 AM (#1947605) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cruiser No problems here with IE7. |
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25 Jan 07 - 11:44 AM (#1947691) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin IE7 stopped my MusicMatch Jukebox Player (a program I actually paid for) from working so I uninstalled it and went back to IE6. That was the only beef I had with 7, but that was enough. |
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25 Jan 07 - 12:01 PM (#1947716) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: nickp IE7 works for me on XP but I'm not sure if I prefer it to 6. I also have Firefox and can't make up my mind on that either. I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure. Nick |
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25 Jan 07 - 12:08 PM (#1947720) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: kendall I had the same problem, but with good advice on the forum I was able to solve the problem. I don't do updates anymore. |
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25 Jan 07 - 12:34 PM (#1947744) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Houston_Diamond IE6 is just as bad as any Microsoft based software; it'll take 3 times longer to do anything than other equally as good software. IE6 needs internet security software to protect your computer cos they let people who have enough coding savvy to create active x components to feck with your pc (such as installing trojans or viruses or even phishing pages!) IE7 attempted to take on board all the parts of Firefox browser but then (in what they call improvements) destroyed a large part of functionality. Try printing a high resolution page on IE6 and see how much of the page was missed in the print?!? IE6 doesn't word wrap on printing!!! IE7 developers took on board the Firefox printing capabilities which allows word wrap and page reduction to let a page and ½ to be reduced to one page or vice versa. IE7 reduces the chances of Phishing pages and (although heavily paranoid) controls active x installations. I would recommend NOT using IE6 ever and to choose Mozilla Firefox or Opera browsers if you don't want IE7 (Although Opera does everything far better and faster than IE or Firefox and it's free). Your PC freezing maybe due to a corrupt download of files relating to IE7 or an issue with your firewall. If you believe there is an issue of a virus I would suggest running a full system scan with the latest updates from your antivirus software or go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ where you can perform an online antivirus scan. Houston :-) |
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25 Jan 07 - 12:39 PM (#1947751) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: HiHo_Silver I have IE7 installed. So far, it has been completely reliable and quite nice to work with. However, was just as happy with IE6. |
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25 Jan 07 - 12:41 PM (#1947755) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Joe Offer I'm using IE7 with no problems. I like the tabbed browsing, even if it's an idea they stole from Firefox. The previous version of Firefox was getting quirky for me, so I decided to try IE7. I'll probably go back to Firefox when I get a new computer with sufficent hard drive space for two browsers. Space is really at a premium for me now, and I've removed everything I can from my C:/ drive. One XP update - I think it was Service Pack 2 - left a lot of backup stuff on my C:/ drive, and I can't delete it and can't figure out why I can't. -Joe- |
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25 Jan 07 - 01:55 PM (#1947824) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Zhenya Like SRS, I knew IE7 was coming, and put off the installation for quite awhile by unchecking the update box. However, I finally did install it about 10 days ago or so. So far it's been working fine, and not messing up other programs. (Note: I do have Musicmatch 10, and that's working fine, but apparently earlier versions of Musicmatch will not work with IE7, per discussion on other websites.) I generally like it, but I immediately customized it. If it looks strange to you, one thing you can do is go to the Tools Tab, and use the dropdown menu. There's an item for menu bar (I'm doing this from memory since I'm at work, not at home to actually check the exact wording of this item.) If you click that on, it will show your old menu from IE6 on the second line from the top. I've decided to leave that on for the time being, while I get used to the new program layout, and I may in fact leave it there permanently. (So much for IE7 giving you a more uncluttered desktop – now I have two of everything like Favorites, etc., on the screen.) The Help button, which I definitely use on a new program, was so far over to the right that it was initially off-screen. I customized the toolbar, got rid of several icons and rearranged, which has made IE7 much easier to use comfortably. I do like the tabbed browsing, but it's not second nature yet, so sometimes I forget to use it, and end up with extra windows anyway. |
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25 Jan 07 - 03:40 PM (#1947938) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas I've had no real proglems with IE7, although it does take a while to get used to some of its quirks. As noted, going to tools and checking "Menu Bar" will give you the File-Edit-View-Favorites-Tools-Help toolbar you're accustomed to. Everything that's there is "elsewhere," at one or more of the default icons. I found it initially a bit confusing that several things appear, seemingly at random, on several different icons. If you happen to find the button for something that you do often, in a place where it's "clumsy" to get to, you can often find the same button, or another one that looks different but opens the same function, in another more convenient(?) place. Also, don't miss the little >> arrow at the right, which opens an "extension" of the default toolbar (like the same symbol on Google toolbar, if you have that, or at the bottom on the Quick Start section of the start bar). "Help" is out on the extension, probably because Microsoft figured out that nobody ever looks at it anyway. With IE6, one had to separately load the popup blocker and phishing filter, and managing them was sort of "mystic seance experience" since they were "separated functions." They both are integrated into IE7, and shortcut buttons to the main functions are at the top of the "Tools" drop-down, which I do find handy. Most users will have little reason to use the new buttons, since the blockers automatically pop up a warning when a site tries to use an add-on, and you can deal with them from the warning popup. John |
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25 Jan 07 - 03:48 PM (#1947942) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas SIDE NOTE: To avoid future confusions, every student should stay after school and write 100 times on the chalkboard "EXPLORER is a meaningless term." WINDOWS EXPLORER, is what most WinOS drivers mean when they say just "Explorer." That's where you manage files on your computer. INTERNET EXPLORER is the default Browser for Widows. The shorthand name is IE, and since versions vary a lot, IE6 or IE7 should be used to tell people which you're using. If you have any contact with MSN - which doesn't mean you use them on purpose, you may also see offers to install MSN EXPLORER, which is "another browser" that can(?) replace INTERNET EXPLORER. I have no idea whether it's any good, but past MSN EXPLORER versions have been so "buggy" that I carefully refuse to look at it. (They may have improved it, but they haven't apologized for what they did when Win98 was new. My shit-list is very short, but they're still on it.) There are several other "Explorer" programs, but they're rarely seen by civilized users. John |
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25 Jan 07 - 04:03 PM (#1947954) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin They call them all Explorer because they know you're gonna get lost. |
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25 Jan 07 - 05:07 PM (#1947994) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: freda underhill Thank you everyone who has responded – this has been extremely helpful. I re-read my request and realised i left out about 1hr of helpless frustration, (turning the computer off & on, not being able to access favourites or open any internet files, seeing my computer's doom in front of me with any empty wallet..) It was also very good to find out others have been there.. I'm pleased to hear that IE7 has been completely reliable for some, but not ready to go through the process yet. Have learnt some very handy hints about entering urls myself, and new words - Phishing and spoofing, I've now copied Housecallfree anti virus checker - this advice came just at the right time as my other free virus checker (AVG) is trying to turn into a paid one. I was going to try XP's Service Pack 2 but have decided not to upload - if Joe can't work out how to get rid of it, I certainly won't be able to either! I think the most outstanding advice came from JiKansas re the default Browser for Widows (this could come in handy!) thanks everyone, i appreciate all your advice & assistance! freda |
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25 Jan 07 - 05:30 PM (#1948013) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: GUEST,Ed If you want a good (free) browser, may I suggest Opera. It has (IMO) a better tabbed implementation than Firefox and much more besides. It doesn't work for my online banking site (maybe a good thing!) but I've got it to work everywhere else. I recommend giving it a try. |
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25 Jan 07 - 05:34 PM (#1948016) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: freda underhill thanks Ed, others have mentioned it too - I'll check it out! freda |
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25 Jan 07 - 05:48 PM (#1948029) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas The only difficulty that I've had with IE7 is that on one specific website it seems that if I "open in new tab" the new page doesn't download until I actually click on that tab - but if I try to "open in new tab" more than one new page at the same time, opening "tab 3" before "tab 2" has been loaded, IE locks up and I have to start over from scratch. This happens repeatedly, but ONLY AT MSNBC, so far as I've seen. See above about MSN Explorer. MSN is NOT actually a "Microsoft company" and operates independently, although it's theoretically an "affiliate" in the corporate structure. MSN seems deliberately to violate the rules for Windows compatibility, and has been doing so for years. I blame MSN, not IE7. It's a little more difficult to get the same result with IE6, but I've gone back and verified that the same incompatibility exists, opening more than one new Window using IE6 on "her" Win2K machine, without completely loading each page before opening the next, usually locks everything up. John |
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25 Jan 07 - 07:34 PM (#1948137) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: GUEST I never said I was having problems with IE7, in fact it far supersedes it's predecessor since most of it came from Firefox. I do still state that you are inviting danger using IE5 or IE6 because of the active x capabilities and other issues that are exploitable by rogue internet users. Microsoft have always been a target to extremist coders who feel they are benefiting by pointing out the flaws with Microsofts' software. For these reasons and because it's sooo much faster plus secure I suggest using Opera browser found at http://www.opera.com/. The best free antivirus I know for home users is Avast AV (http://www.avast.com/), which keep up with virus definitions as quick as McAfee, Norton, Panda, etc... The problem you face Freda is we don't know your hardware setup, which could have problems with updates if the updates were designed for machines with faster busses and processing or larger RAM or graphics memory specifications. It's more likely that the software designer was aiming for MS Windows SP2 users so issues may arrise where files that are needed for IE7 will be missing!!! Good luck... but hey.. the most important thing is you can access Mudcat.org ;p lol Houston |
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25 Jan 07 - 08:56 PM (#1948190) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Currently it's my understanding that you MUST HAVE WinXP SP1 in order to get automatic downloads of CRITICAL patches to WinXP. If you get automatic downloads, IE7 will come with one of the recent ones. SP2 for WinXP is strongly recommended, since it combines all prior patches, eliminates some conflicts between earlier patches, and equips you to continue to receive later updates. Win2K is the only Windows OS, other than WinXP**, that can receive automatically distributed updates. To get automatic downloads for Win2K you must have Win2K SP4 installed. With Win2K it depends to some extent how your machine is configured, whether updates can install themselves automatically or whether you have to do the installation step manually. Whether you use another browser or not, Windows Explorer is an integral part of Windows and it MUST be present on your machine for Windows (any version) to operate correctly. For that reason, you should have IE6, with latest patches, or IE7 installed, even if you don't use it, and you need to install updates to your chosen IE - whether you use it for browsing or choose another browser. All recent versions of IE allow you to turn off J-Script and Active-X, which are the plug-ins frequently cited as "vulnerable" when browsing with IE. IE6 makes it a little simpler to manage turning them on selectively in the few cases where they're actually needed. IE7 further simplifies managing them. All the other browsers that you can substitute must have the ability to use these plugins, and require you to manage them, if you're going to benefit from what they can do for you. With IE6 you probably can still get the beta versions of popup blocker, bad download blocker, and possibly the anti-phishing plugin, but they're separate installations and sometimes puzzling to manage in that form. You also have to go look for them, if you think you want them. With IE7 these are all integrated, with appropriate management tools. From what I've seen thus far, they operate seamlessly and unobtrusively in IE7. ** Server 2003 can also qualify for auto downloads of updates, but I'd assume those using it will know the details. John |
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26 Jan 07 - 02:46 AM (#1948337) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Liz the Squeak Manitas upgraded ours this week. Now I can't send any emails. I can receive them still, but can't reply. It tells me I'm not connected and I've got an invalid address. I can't even get into my Yahoo account... it's completely jammed and won't accept any variation of addresses or passwords. So if anyone is sending me anything, I may be a while getting back to you! LTS |
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26 Jan 07 - 03:21 AM (#1948355) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas There are reports in the Microsoft Knowledge Base about a couple of AOL programs that aren't compatible, with some computers, but I haven't heard of any from Yahoo like that. Maybe they've blocked your sending 'cause of that SPAM you've been putting out ;-( Seriously, a change in your login might make them think you've been robotized, and some services will block sending until they decide you're safe. I don't know how one gets help from Yahoo, but with hotmail the only way is to send them an email if your email isn't working. John |
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26 Jan 07 - 05:01 AM (#1948418) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Liz the Squeak We didn't change our Email or logins... we just couldn't get them any more. The Outlook worked perfectly well on Monday but not on Thursday. LTS |
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26 Jan 07 - 05:28 AM (#1948437) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas It sounds like it's probably a login problem, although it's hard to see how the updates would cause that. If you're accustomed to using "remember me" settings when you hook up, sometimes losing or corrupting the preset can cause mysterious mis-identity problems, much like a crumbled cookie here. I really can't offer anything helpful. Just thought the spamming accusation might relax your mindset - and couldn't resist taking another dig at hotmail. John |
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26 Jan 07 - 10:13 AM (#1948645) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Manitas_at_home It was due to the BTYahoo set up program changing the mail settings, in particular removing the 'My server requires authorisation settings'! All fixed. |
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26 Jan 07 - 07:04 PM (#1949197) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: McGrath of Harlow Well, I saw someone write "It has (IMO) a better tabbed implementation than Firefox", whatever that means - but overall what, if any, significant advantages does it have over Firefox to set against the various hassles people seem to have had with it. |
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26 Jan 07 - 07:21 PM (#1949212) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: kendall Why do I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a mine field and don't know which way to turn? |
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26 Jan 07 - 11:10 PM (#1949332) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas First consideration: If you're running Windows, you must have Internet Explorer installed. Quite a few things actually use it, where it's not obvious. Second consideration: If you want to be safe, you have to keep your Internet Explorer up to date with security patches, whether you use it for web browsing or choose another browser. Third consideration: If you keep both your Windows OS and IE up to date, most people don't have a lot of problems with IE. As to the choice between IE6 or IE7, there's some advantage to the way some relatively new safety modules are incorporated in IE7, but most of those features can be added onto IE6 if you really want them there. There probably isn't a lot of difference in safety, for now, if your IE6 is current with available patches. IE7 is sufficiently different that some "retraining" may be needed to find all the buttons, and learning how some of the new features work. You may, or may not, like it after you've given it a trial. It can be uninstalled to go back to IE6 if you choose to (but do ALWAYS use the Control Panel - Add Remove Programs to uninstall, if you do). If you have problems with some kinds of "cranky hardware," sometimes including limited RAM, marginal processor, obsolete MB chipset, etc., or if you frequently visit sites where the sites are "less than fully compatible" with IE, you may find another browser accomodates the peculiarites of your setup and that makes the other browser more fun to use. You may also simply like another browser for the way it looks, feels, and strokes your tender Do what makes you feel good. John |
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27 Jan 07 - 06:54 PM (#1949993) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: freda underhill Flashbacks... Four days later and I'm going through this all over again. The Windows explorer 7 icon appeared on my screen (maybe my nephew downloaded it?) and everything froze. I've just been deleting every windows thing that has appeared since 20 January - and Service Pack 2 seems to have arrived somehow with various other little sidekicks - the computer is warning me that if i get rid of Service Pack 2 + sidekicks, i may lose/damage all my free antivirus programs + firefox. I think its going to force me to get stop using windows explorer completely - and so far Service Pack 2 seems very reluctant to depart .. aaagghh! I believe I'm developing PTSPD - Post Traumatic Service Pack Disorder! freda freda |
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27 Jan 07 - 11:20 PM (#1950110) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bill D freda...do you MEAN "Windows Explorer"? Or do you mean the **BROWSER** (Internet Explorer)? I see no need to even try to 'get rid of' the service pack 2. It has some useful security stuff..etc... Now, the easiest way to browse and access Mudcat and such is to get Opera for your **browser**....Firefox is excellent, but you have to make more decisions with it. Opera is harder to tinker with. " I've just been deleting every windows thing that has appeared since 20 January" What sort of things have appeared? and what do you mean 'deleting'? Just saying "no"?, or actually going in and deleting something? It is important to know some of the terminology in order to ask questions. |
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28 Jan 07 - 05:03 AM (#1950193) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: cptsnapper I find that Netscape's a pretty good option. Mind you Internet Explorer's limited for me because I use a Mac. |
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28 Jan 07 - 06:24 AM (#1950225) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: My guru always said Have you got Automatic Updates turned ON Freda? Maybe that's why it all keeps appearing. You could set it to 'Notify'. I've had no problems with IE7, (nor with SP2) which is amazing considering all the grief I had with this PC a couple of years ago - I had to learn how to re-partition my hard drive and reload Everything in a hurry - big learning curve. Now I have automatic 'notification' instead of 'update' from Microsoft and choose which and when to download. By the way, it's a good idea to keep a fairly recent backup of your email messages, address books, files & favourites etc - I do mine at least once a month. It can be done fairly easily through Windows Explorer & a CD or DVD burner if necessary - you just need to know the right paths. |
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28 Jan 07 - 07:08 AM (#1950237) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Fidjit Normal procedure. 1. Turn on the computer. 2 Put the kettle on, make a cup of tea. 3 Wander back to computer, tea in hand. Bugger what's this? I've just had the thing back at the shop. Ohh, New update. Ok. IE7 OK. Lets try that. Oi what happened? All black. Turn everything off Ah back to IE6, that's better. Yes I had trouble too. Welcome to the club. Why don't they let me get on with what I've got? Chas |
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28 Jan 07 - 07:22 AM (#1950247) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: GUEST,Liz the Squeak sans cookie - IE7's fault?? Kendall... in this minefield of yours, are you wearing your underpants? If you are, stand still, the sniffer dog will get you soon. If not, you're dreaming, you can move freely and I suggest less cheese before bed. LTS who can't get back in! |
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28 Jan 07 - 04:45 PM (#1950668) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin I can turn Windows Automatic Updates off or reset it to notify, but if it is set to any other option than "Automatic" my Norton System works nags the shit out of me to turn it back on. Best I can do is set the Download/Install time to Sunday at 3:00 AM. The lack of options in NSW to turn this nag off bugs my ass. And I went to the Windows Update site and selected the IE7 Update as "hidden" to avoid installing it again. Another thing that bugs me is Microsoft deciding the IE7 upgrade was a "Critical Update" thus putting it in the queue for automatic download and install by default. It should be an optional download, like the Windows Media Player upgrades are. |
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28 Jan 07 - 07:04 PM (#1950769) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Cluin - Norton should not "bug you" about turning on Windows updates. Norton will bug you about turning on NORTON updates. Windows will bug you about turning on NORTON updates. You can choose whether or not Windows will remind you about Windows updates. IE7 is considered a Critical update, largely because it incorporates several features that are "beta versions" if you add them to IE6, and a lot of people hadn't figured out they were available and helpful. There is an improved "cookie blocker," an "anti-phishing" plugin, and a "suspect site" identifier that can be quite helpful. The suspect site identifier in particular requires that a larger percentage of users have it and use it, but potentially will be a very good deal as site data is tracked better. Most users who have installed IE7 probably have agreed to the OPTION of allowing the site validator and anti-phishing utilities to provide data to Microsoft about sites visited, but that's entirely optional, and can be turned off by those who are paranoid. There are some additional things relating to security that are incorporated in IE7 that are not available for IE6, but at present there doesn't appear to be a significant difference in security if your IE6 is current. It's helpful, with IE6, if you've picked up a couple of the beta features, but not really mandatory. With IE7 you can easily turn off any of these as well. Control of some features that you can have with either IE6 or IE7 is much easier with IE7 - once you learn where the controls are, and future patching likely will be simpler and more complete with IE7. John |
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05 Feb 07 - 04:48 PM (#1958269) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Houston_Diamond Well... I am now running Vista so I guess it's IE7 from now on whether I like it or not but... It runs sooo much better on Vista than on XP SP2 (mind you that might be to do with my hardware setup!!!) I have only one issue with Firefox which hangs waiting for a page to open (not affected on IE7!?!) but it is only affected on a few sites. Perhaps Firefox developers will stop living in dreamland of their totally cross platform browser and sort the problem (b4 the 64bit becomes standard lol). Really... it's difficult to diagnose a problem with your IE browser or OS without knowing what kind of hardware you are running... if you are running the bare minimum spec then there is an increased likely hood of the processor appearing to hang while it shifts stuff from physical to virtual memory. As the software bloats more and more over a period of time and more background processes take place (due to virus and malware checking etc.) the demand on a system designed between 4 and 10 years ago will almost definately suffer. finally... to LTS me dear friend... I have had problems in the past with Yahoo and their POP server which I could only resolve by logging on to their webmail server to switch it back on!!! no idea why it happens but hey that's the dynamic world of computers eh!?!? Good luck Houston |
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05 Feb 07 - 10:00 PM (#1958563) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe hmmm, that's a creative use of the word 'dynamic' I had not thought of... |
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05 Feb 07 - 11:09 PM (#1958599) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin "Norton should not "bug you" about turning on Windows updates." Oh yes it does! Norton Protection Center that is part of System Works gives me a nice big yellow exclamation mark in my taskbar system tray and a nice big popup nagging me to turn on automatic updates to "Automatic" and there's no way to stop it. |
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06 Feb 07 - 12:44 AM (#1958641) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Cluin - A NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATE IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATE. A NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATE IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATE. A NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATE IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATE. A NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATE IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATE. (is there an echo in here?) Norton offers NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATES if you have a valid subscription. NORTON will nag you about turning on NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATES if you turn it off. Norton won't normally bug you about turning on WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATES. Windows (Win2K SP4 and WinXP SP2) offer WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATES, or you can get MICROSOFT AUTOMATIC UPDATES that include all Microsoft programs, if you qualify and sign up for them. Windows will NOTIFY YOU about WINDOWS AUTOMATIC UPDATES updates when they're downloaded so that you can install them, if they don't install automatically. Windows (XP) will NAG you about your AV if it's not CURRENT or if it's turned off. Windows doesn't really care WHAT AV you have, but will try to encourage you to have a program and keep it up to date. The "Windows Nag" about AV is a RED shield in the System Tray. Windows won't nag you about NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATES since it DOESN'T CARE HOW YOU UPDATE, as long as you do it. Windows will only tell you that your AV is out of date, in about a week, if you turn off NORTON AUTOMATIC UPDATES, but only because your AV is obsolete or not working as it should. If you're seeing a YELLOW !, it's Norton that's bugging you, not Windows. John |
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06 Feb 07 - 10:36 AM (#1959047) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin John, I know the difference between a Windows Update and a Norton Update. I run the Norton LiveUpdate check first thing every day when I turn on the computer. And I am saying again that Norton SYSTEM WORKS 2006 (a suite that included NAV and Norton Utilities, Norton Cleanup and a few other utes) nags me about turning on Windows Automatic Update. When the computer first boots up, the Norton Protection Center checks out the status of the computer, and checks whether my Windows Automatic Update is turned off (i.e. not set to the recommended AUTOMATIC setting). If it is set to anything other than Automatic, I get a naggy yellow exclamation mark in my system tray and a yellow-headered popup window informing me there is a problem (says"!Attention Required - 1 item is affecting your status) and provides a FIX NOW button to fix the problem. Clicking that button resets the Windows update to Automatic. Then, the popup is green with a nice green check mark and an announcement: "Norton Status: Good". No more yellow flashing (I forgot to say it flashes, just to be more naggy) exclamation point. Now Norton is happy. At that point, I go to Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Updates and see that it's set to Automatic (recommended). I reset it to the next level down--"Download updates for me but let me choose when to install them"-- and then the yellow naggy is back in my system tray and Norton Protection Center gets all pissy with me again until I reset Windows Update to Automatic again. So I know it's Norton that's bugging me, but it IS bugging me about Windows Automatic Updates, believe me. And I've searched all through every option and menu in Norton Protection Center (the main boss of the suite) to try and turn off that nag, but there's no way. I bought the Norton System Works suite because it included NAV and was cheaper than renewing my subscription for another year of updates/virus def files. But when the renewal dates comes around again, I'm uninstalling the whole shittin' match and switching to AVG. Norton used to be a good program, but I'm sick of the yearly bite and the finickyness of the software messing with everything else on the computer. A software update (which LiveUpdate sometimes downloads and installs) messes up my files associations every time too. It's caused me to have to shut off my spellchecker in my Outlook Express; instead of running the spellcheck, it prompts me to insert a Microsoft Works Suite disk to install Microsoft Picture-It (which is already installed) instead. I click cancel and the popup window prompts me 3 more times before it quits... spell checker is never run. I've found if Norton isn't installed BEFORE everything else on the computer, it doesn't play nice. So, consequently, a software update to it at any later time wreaks hell with things. Norton's just not worth it anymore. The main thing I wanted was the Norton Utilities, especially for the defrag ute. But that doesn't even work so well anymore either. |
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06 Feb 07 - 01:09 PM (#1959252) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin By the way, I have Norton's Automatice LiveUpdate turned off (I do it manually) and Norton doesn't nag me about that at all. |
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06 Feb 07 - 06:18 PM (#1959672) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bernard An interesting situation I haven't managed to get to the bottom of yet... My home PC and my work PC are identical models, except at work I use XP Pro (server based network) and at home I use XP Home (peer to peer network). IE7 works fine on my home PC (although I had to turn off Webroot's Spy Sweeper before it would install properly), and it appears to install properly on my PC at work - until I come to run it for the first time after rebooting. Then it hangs with no sign of any activity, and I eventually have to use the three finger salute to terminate it via Task Manager. After uninstalling it, IE6 works fine... so after three attempts I'm leaving it that way for now. All the other PCs on our network are running it without any problems (although I haven't yet updated the 2003 Server), so it isn't likely to be a server permissions issue or the SonicWall router (with managed McAfee) giving me grief - and I'm the System Administrator...! When I can find some time I'll try to suss out what's going on, but it's not high on my list of priorities!! I got fed up with Norton's habits some time ago... it used to be such reliable (and cheap) software, but not any more. These days I use AVG free at home, and pay for SpySweeper on some machines, and am trying the free AVG AntiSpy on one... |
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06 Feb 07 - 06:21 PM (#1959680) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin I am a longtime Norton user, since using Norton Utilities back in the DOS days on my old XP, but it's getting too bloated and propriatory like Windows itself. |
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06 Feb 07 - 06:21 PM (#1959681) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin Sorry, XP should be XT, above. |
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07 Feb 07 - 11:24 AM (#1960029) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: dermod in salisbury Just to add to the enlist in case anyone has had the same problem and found a solution, IE7 came as an automatic windows update. Since then, I cannot view Flash content on some websites. I am not alone in this. It is a serious nuisance because I was in the middle of following an online orchestration course which uses Flash to provide score examples with sounds. All vanished, seemingly for good. |
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07 Feb 07 - 12:24 PM (#1960101) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bernard Yes, Cluin - I was using Norton on my old XT, too! Norton Commander... I've got the windows version of it these days, and still prefer it for most file handling! Dermod, you will probably need to change security, privacy or content settings. If you have the IE7 icon on your desktop, you can RIGHT click on it and select 'properties' to find the internet settings - otherwise, open IE7 and click on 'Tools' - at the bottom of the list is 'Internet Options'. |
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07 Feb 07 - 05:28 PM (#1960416) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Stumbling through the Mickeyland Knowledge Base looking for other somethings last night, I did see a comment about a reduced capability for "web chat" and other "real-time" hookups that could be helped by a one-click change to turn off a "quality monitoring" mode in one of the protocols. Since it wasn't related to what I was looking for, I didn't make notes. It will be a while before I get enough coffee down to face getting back to look. Also noted and postponed; the "Custom Install" at Microsoft Updates was offering a new version (optional) multimedia download, that I postponed because the 40 MB download would have taken over an hour on my connection, and the same speed limit doesn't encourage my use of Flash when I can avoid it. John |
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07 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM (#1960573) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: fumblefingers My IE7 works as advertised and it hasn't caused any problems with MusicMatch. It all depends on your system and the various software programs you're running. However, there doesn't seem to be any users' manual that explains what works with what. |
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07 Feb 07 - 07:54 PM (#1960590) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas There seems to be some of the same confusion with "Norton" as with "Explorer." "Explorer," used alone, will normally be understood to mean "Windows Explorer." This is the program used to manage files on your computer. "Internet Explorer" (IE) is the default web browser that comes with Windows. It is REQUIRED in order for Windows explorer to work, and must be updated when security patches are issued, even if you use another browser, if you want to be safe. "MSN Explorer" is a "third party program" foisted on people to break their email and web browser programs in order to deliver more advertising. IT IS NOT MADE BY, AND FOR THE MOST PART IS NOT SUPPORTED BY, THE SAME PEOPLE WHO BUILD WINDOWS. "Norton" used alone, will normally be understood to mean Norton Anti-Virus. In some cases it's necessary to know whether a person is talking about a "Norton Internet" version rather than a plain-vanilla Anti-Virus, since "Internet" versions include firewalls, cookie blockers, anti-spam, etc that are NOT necessarily part of the basic Norton Anti-Virus. "Norton System Works" is an entirely different thing, still produced to help those unable to RTFM and learn that all the tools usually needed are already built into recent Windows versions. Norton AV, and Norton Internet, may be included in the package, but the behaviour of the whole Windows environment can be changed by installing the "Works" parts of the program. Norton Works is mostly harmless, but largely extraneous, although a very few people may find something that's actually useful in it. This will most likely be true for someone trying to "stretch" an inadequate computer for use with a newer OS version that taxes the machinery. Being clear about which program is involved would be helpful. John |
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07 Feb 07 - 09:10 PM (#1960648) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Liz Re: 26 Jan 07 - 02:46 AM Manitas upgraded ours this week. Now I can't send any emails. I can receive them still, but can't reply. It tells me I'm not connected and I've got an invalid address. One question would be: Has anyone on your machine used MSN EXPLORER, and has it been "upgraded" it to ver 6 or later? A second is: What program do you use to send and receive your email? Answers here are not required, but MSN EXPLORER commonly screws with your email setup, even if the setup is in a program that's not supposed to be related to it. The most common problem occurs with people using Outlook or Outlook Express and receiving mail using the POP3 mail protocol. These problems are supposed to happen only for people using MSN or Hotmail email accounts; but the record and reputation for MSN EXPLORER performance suggest otherwise. Note that reputations held by both Yahoo and AOL are comparable to MSN's. Installing MSN EXPLORER, ver 6 or later, and accessing your email account will result in your email being moved to a different server that does not permit POP3 email. Since MSN assumes that you will ONLY access email using MSN EXPLORER, it probably will not update the new server location in any other programs. You may, or may not be able to see old messages in Outlook or OE, but you usually WILL NOT see any new ones. Normally you will still be able to send email from either program, but will not receive any new email. Your address book will also be moved to the new server. Your old addy book, on your local machine or at the previous server, is supposed to remain accessible via Outlook or OE, but may or may not necessarily be accessible to other Office programs. You can of course add new addresses to your new "server based" address book, but will be unable to add them directly to your old book on your own machine. The only "technical information" that MSN offers is that "this allows you to access your email from any computer anywhere in the world using only your web browser." While that's nominally true, without rather significant changes, using html mail and a web browser: 1. You cannot save a local copy (on your own machine) of an email message. 2. You can only access your email if you're connected to the web – many times even for messages you've already "downloaded" and read. 3. You cannot easily have a local copy of your address book, on your own machine. The transfer of your email and address book files to the html-only server is IRREVOCABLE. You can "restore" you email service by logging in with all the "correct" credentials, but once the migration to the new server is made, you CANNOT use any email protocol other than html, so far as I've been able to tell. If your current account settings are incorrect, you can call MSN to get the new server location, but with a Hotmail account the only support available (for your email) is by email. So far as I've seen, you should still be able to use Outlook or Outlook Express, and/or other email programs, but you will probably have to change the email protocol to html only, which disables many of the controls and features otherwise available in the programs. You do not receive MSN e-mail messages in Outlook or in Outlook Express outlines the MSN EXPORER problem in the first couple of paragraphs. While this is all directly applicable only to MSN, MSN EXPLORER, Outlook, and Outlook Express, both Yahoo and AOL have a long history of similar "improvements" with similar incompatibilities with programs other than their own. MSN EXPLORER is not "just another browser," and it most certainly is NOT "just another version of INTERNET EXPLORER." John |
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07 Feb 07 - 10:20 PM (#1960681) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin There seems to be some of the same confusion with "Norton" as with "Explorer." That confusion was on your end, John. I stated quite clearly on January 28 that my beef lay with there being no option in Norton System Works to turn off a nag to set my Windows Auto Update to "Automatic". You just assumed I was talking about NAV and kept hammering at me that I was mistaken. Now that I've pointed out AGAIN that it was Norton System Works that I was talking about (and why I bought that program), you decide to insult my intelligence for choosing to install that suite instead of just saying "Oh, I see." I've got a lot of respect for you, John, and the great amount of technical help you offer people gratis around here, but I don't see why you feel you have to take a rather verbose cheap shot like that. |
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07 Feb 07 - 10:22 PM (#1960684) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Cluin And fumblefingers, MusicMatch 10 will work fine with IE7. It's just older versions (like my version 8) that IE7 disables. But I actually paid for that program and I like the way it works so I dumped the IE upgrade and went back to 6. |
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08 Feb 07 - 12:03 AM (#1960736) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Janie Gotta confess I haven't read most of this thread. I installed IE7 prompted by an update reminder. Within a few days I uninstalled it and did a system restore to a previous point. All kinds of quirky problems, big and small, with IE7. Much happier with the olde version. Janie |
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08 Feb 07 - 12:36 AM (#1960741) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Cluin - I should perhaps have made it clearer that I missed your first ref to Norton Works, and after one or two exchanges it got lost in the shuffle. Intervening comments by some others may have been a contributing factor, or - more likely - just my own stupidity. Apologies tendered sincerely. John |
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08 Feb 07 - 01:56 AM (#1960761) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Wordsmith freda underhill, I was curious about your comment that AVG is turning into a paid subscription. I have AVG and haven't received any notices that it's going to cost me in future. I just updated on Monday night without a peep. I also run Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot for free. I had a run-in with WinXP IE7, but I turned off the update features. I still get little window update offers while I'm in the middle of a blog or surfing the web. I find it both intrusive and annoying. I can't wait till I have to buy a new PC or laptop to then pay through the nose for Vista Premium, but that's another thread altogether. Good luck. |
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08 Feb 07 - 03:51 AM (#1960826) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: dermod in salisbury I did at least find a solution to Norton nags some months ago. The trick was to uninstall everything Norton connected on my pc and switch to McAfee. Ah the bliss of no persistent interruptions months before annual subscripion becomes due. No solution to Flash problems in IE7 yet, on the other hand, even after reducing security settings. So it is Janie's route for me, back to IE6. |
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08 Feb 07 - 04:34 AM (#1960852) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bernard There's no need to do a sytem restore to get back to IE6 - just use 'Add or Remove Programmes' from Control Panel... |
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16 Feb 07 - 09:06 PM (#1970285) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Houston_Diamond Well... what ever keeps the boat afloat... if your happy with a browser and the way it performs then there is no real reason to change it!!! I have hated IE6 but then I hated IE5 and the increments between. IE6 I particularly hated due to extreme security flaws and the inability to print on paper all the text on a webpage. In the next few weeks I am hoping to set up a Linux OS based PC to add to my small home network so I can have even more learning curve fun. Oh... those who use MySpace and sites like it. IE7, Firefox 2 and Opera 9 users are very well protected against phishing sites. Other version browsers (not sure about Safari - not a mac user) should get internet security from Norton, Panda, McAfee or similar with browser phishing plugin capabilities. Stop the little sods from getting their mitts on your password(s)!!! I clicked on a friends link in one of their comments the other day... unfortunately they had been using IE6 and had inadvertently done the same to their friends (who also was using IE6) they had been caught in the phishing net so to speak. My Browser IE7 on Vista SCREAMED Phishing webpage which if it hadn't I would not have realised that there was one character wrong in the url!!! the page looked exactly like the real thing otherwise. My friends had to change their passwords!!! on another note; Vista had 2 updates yesterday... XP pro SP2 had 10, cant wait for Linux :)!!! |
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17 Feb 07 - 01:38 AM (#1970389) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas On the subject of changing passwords: IF YOU HAVE A ROUTER in your system, it directs your internet connection to a specific DNS Server site to translate the "common names" you use (website URLs) into the numerical addresses that the internet actually uses. Researchers at Symantec and Indiana University have found, and have published, a method whereby a malicious website that you visit can change the "DNS Server" you expect to go to, substituting their own fake server, which can then send you to a fake site that looks exactly like your own bank or other place where you might enter personal data. Merely visiting the site is sufficient. They DO NOT HAVE TO TRICK YOU INTO CLICKING ON ANYTHING once you've connected. There have been no reports, as yet, of anyone using this method; but now that it's been reported it may be expected that someone will try to use it. Normal Antivirus, Antispyware, and Antiphishing programs do not appear to be able to detect or to block this particular method. There is, however, a very simple fix. The method requires that they know the password to get into your router to make the change. All routers come with a default password, and if you haven't changed yours, they know what it is. If you CHANGE YOUR ROUTER PASSWORD to a secure one of your own, this pharming method should be completely disabled. (Just be sure that you record your new password in a secure place. Type it into a graphics program and save it as a .jpg if you must leave it on your machine?) If you don't know the default password for your own router, you can go to Router Passwords to get it, just as easily as the criminals could. The "discoverer's" explanation of this vulnerability is at: Zulfikar Ramzan's explanation (at Symantec). A brief "news flash" is at Change Your Router Password NOW! Note that if you have a WIRELESS network or access, you probably have a separate password for access to network functions, which also has a default that you need to change. The password affected here is the one to access the innards of the router, and probably is a different one. CHANGE ALL DEFAULT PASSWORDS that come with your equipment. John |
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17 Feb 07 - 06:50 AM (#1970488) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe With regard to browsers: I still like MSIE (V6 is last one to work on 98SE) The ONE thing I like, and want to keep, but do not seem to be able to find is the ability to drop the shortcut directly on the desktop, form where I move to where I want. I haven't used "Favourites" for so long, because I can never FIND anything in there... Tried latest version of Opera 9.10 - same hassle - is there any plugin for ANY browser (I would LIKE tabs, etc) that does this? Robin |
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17 Feb 07 - 05:38 PM (#1971027) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Foolestroupe - I don't see a way (in IE7, but I think it's the same in IE6) to drop a shortcut directly onto the desktop, but if you put it into Favorites you can drag it from there to the desktop. Have you found an easier way? If your Favorites get unmanageable, Click File | Export and export them all to a file location. The export will be an htm page and when you open the export you'll see a "web page" with all your favorites in outline order where they may be a little easier to cull out the garbage. You can import that page back into favorites, so it's essentially a backup, letting you delete all the old ones in the browser and start over. If you want, you can do like I did - with the exported listing open put a link in "Favorites" in IE to the exported file, so you can open it any time you need to look for an oldie. A handy feature of the exported listing is that since it displays as a web page you can use the "Edit|Find on Page" (or Ctl-F) to look for the one that got buried in the bucket of worms in your browser. John |
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17 Feb 07 - 07:53 PM (#1971128) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe Right click on browser window - click on 'create shortcut' it then says "a shortcut to the current page will be placed on your desktop - OK - Cancel" ever since MSIE - ver 2 I think - always done that... :-) |
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17 Feb 07 - 07:59 PM (#1971135) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe Of course some a***** who disable right clicks on their pages run the risk of me saying "Well, stuff'em then. I won't go back there..." and their pathetic attempt to prevent the saving of any content from that site by those who really KNOW technically what they are doing is not prevented at all.... just made a little more lengthy... :-) |
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17 Feb 07 - 08:06 PM (#1971138) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas I thought I tried the right-click and didn't see that option, but it is there. I think I'm unlikely to use it much, as I've got close to 60 program icons on the desktop. If I put one or two more up there they'll start to cover up the pretty lady with the viol and the happy smile that I have for a desktop picture to keep me in a good mood. John |
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17 Feb 07 - 08:07 PM (#1971139) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "A handy feature of the exported listing is that since it displays as a web page you can use the "Edit|Find on Page" (or Ctl-F) to look for the one that got buried in the bucket of worms in your browser." A handy feature of teh Right click to desktop is thatI can store the urls WITH related files, HTML, exe, swf, etc in a dir whch can then zipped if required... :-) |
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17 Feb 07 - 08:19 PM (#1971155) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe So - still looking for that plugin for ANY browser.... |
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17 Feb 07 - 11:39 PM (#1971263) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bill D *reading carefully* Foolestroupe...do I understand that if you are at an interesting site, you wish to 'drop' a shortcut back to that site directly to the desktop? If that is what you mean, it is certainly an unusual practice. That is what bookmarks (or as IE calls them, 'favorites') are for, and every browser assumes you'd keep these IN 'favorites' or 'bookmarks', as you'd likely have way more than you could keep track of. It sounds like you are trying to do things that are not usually done. If I am missing something, I'd like to know what. The things on the desktop are 'usually' shortcuts to programs...or sometimes, images or sound files. Opera and Firefox have VERY nice toolbars...several different types...to keep 'links' to commonly visited sites, and these can even be nested in categories of your own devising. Like John, I have many program icons on my desktop, but I am gradually reducing even them with pop-up, pop-out programs that hide my icons until I do a mouse trick which shows them. If it is that you don't LIKE the standard way of keeping 'favorites', there are several other ways to keep information like that. I can keep a HUGE list of URLs in a 'clipboard extender'...or in a special stand-alone bookmark program. "A handy feature of the right click to desktop is thatI can store the urls WITH related files, HTML, exe, swf, etc in a dir whch can then zipped if required." This puzzles me...that is a strange combination of things to want to store in a directory?? Do you means a folder? exes and URLs are not usually needed quite that way...and HTML is not exactly something one 'stores'. I think there may be a terminology confusion here. Could you give some example of something you already have that way? I find that Opera 9.10 has excellent bookmark organization, with ways to add notations & documentation to each one....did you try those features? I really doubt that 'plugins' are what you want, although Opera 9 has a feature called "Widgets" that will do many tricks...they are sort of mini-plugins for special tricks. Here are some associated with bookmarks I suspect that there is a relatively easy way to get the results you want, if we could just sort out exactly what it is. |
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18 Feb 07 - 05:05 AM (#1971374) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas Bill D - I think you nailed Foolestroupe: If it is that you don't LIKE the standard way ... He's "asserting his independence." Windows, and Office programs, are generally well adapted to the use of lots of links in places where "normal" people might not think to use them. It's quite common to see the instruction to "save on the desktop" in "how to download" advice, where the "desktop" is used essentially as a temp space. As he's indicated, a shortcut thats' dropped onto the desktop can be dragged into a folder where it will appear as a shortcut file. Double clicking the shortcut filename in WinExplorer will open the target, whether it's a program on your own computer or a web page on the internet. As a temp space for retrieving an object address, the desktop is, essentially, just another folder (or directory, as Robin may prefer). For web pages that I might want to go back to, I don't find any real problems with just putting the link in favorite/bookmarks in the browser. If I save information from a site, I do want to record how to get back to the site where I stole the info. If the site offers a "printable view," I usually use the print view, but copy and paste to Word. I usually put a document name on the top line in "filename format" since Word will automatically use the first line as it's suggested filename when you save, and I put the link copied from the browser address bar immediately after the title. Some things that one downloads, especially pdf files, almost never contain a source-site identification, and aren't editable for you to put the site ident in the saved article. A few things are technically editable, but not easily enough to be worth the effort. My solution for those is a Word document (weblog.doc) with a shortcut on my desktop, where I just past the links from the addy bar with the filename(s) of anything I save immediately adjacent, or sometimes with just a "descriptive comment" if I don't save anything. The document has lots of trash in it, but it's searchable in Word, and if I've saved the filename, in WinExplorer a slow two clicks opens the filename for edit, Ctl-C copies the filename, Ctl-F in Word opens the "Find" box, Ctl-V, pastes the filename in "what to find," and Enter takes me directly to the right link. Foolestroupe apparently(?) is making a separate folder for each item/object saved, and putting a link, as a shortcut file, in the same folder with the object. The desktop location is just a temp space for holding the link until it can be moved to a location that associates it with the saved object - I think. John |
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18 Feb 07 - 05:24 AM (#1971379) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas and HTML is not exactly something one 'stores' One of my exceptions to always adding, or recording, the URL is for articles from the Microsoft Knowledge Base. In IE, I can "save as" and choose the "Web Archive, single file (*.mht)" format, and have the "document" saved locally for quick access or slow reading later. In the case of the KB articles, it's fairly easy to find articles by the document number, so I edit the default title to put the KB# at the front end of the filename, as I save them. Most web pages can be saved the same way, although it can be blocked if they really want to do it. Save As "html" is horribly messy, and I've (almost) completely given up on that. Another option is to email a web page to yourself, and you can paste the URL in the subject line for record purposes, although sometimes the URL will get truncated if it's a really long one. Of course, with html browser email you can't save the email, but ... (Most KB article titles are too long to archive on CD, so they have to be altered if you really want to keep one for historical purposes. Even your WinXP setup disks will get you notice of CD-illegal filenames if you try to burn an archive copy.) John |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:04 AM (#1971468) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas A clumsy workaround for Foolestroupe's desktop shortcuts: If you copy the URL from the address bar - which you should be able to do from any browser(?) Right click on the desktop, select "New" and then "Shortcut." A Wizard opens that asks for the target, and you can paste the URL in the box and hit next. The wizard will put a shortcut on the desktop, to that URL. Note that you must have the URL in the clipboard before you open the Wizard, since it won't let you go elsewhere once it opens. The clumsy part is that it uses the generic name "New Link" for the shortcut. I didn't check to see if it overwrites the first shortcut if you make another without changing the shortcut name. You'd certainly want to rename the file, before or after dragging it to a folder somewhere. Since everything except capturing the URL to the clipboard is "pure Windows" it should work with any browser. Not exactly a one-click, but at least it's a possible. John |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:14 AM (#1971471) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "Of course, with html browser email you can't save the email, but ..." Try saving it as an HTML file... :-) I have used Eudora (with a slight try of Pegasus) for ages... :-) "making a separate folder for each item/object saved," Not EVERY one - my 'Tech' directory has a lot of sub dirs - I despise the MMA (Micky$soft Marketing Affection) of another name! - having been raised on mainframes/minis, etc... - but within each one of them may be lots of related stuff, some have urls (called an Internet Shortcut!) to get there quickly. That's way you used to save 'packages' of related ideas on other machines before Bill conned the market.... "a shortcut thats' dropped onto the desktop can be dragged into a folder where it will appear as a shortcut file." Well..... :-) the Desktop is 'sorta' a folder too :-) Each url requires ONE file allocation block, I know, in the 'Favourites' Directory (which you could move in 9x to any partition or directory!) as stored by MS (as does each directory in which they are sorted anyway!) - so does each one NO MATTER WHERE ON DISK IT IS STORED - at one stage I made a separate partition - 'Max Size Allowed' of allocation unit 512 bytes (_I_ know how big that was!!!) :-) and that was more than big enough for ALL my hundreds of stored favourites... so my way doesn't use any more disk space anyway!... :-P If you Zip up everything in a folder - then you can save space if you need... "If it is that you don't LIKE the standard way ... He's "asserting his independence."" It's DEFINITELY an MS STANDARD WAY! - that's WHY they put the damn right click thing there in the first place!!!! Btw, I have no piccies for a screen background - years of slogging away with VERY low end machines (what?!!! you think the tech support guy DIDN'T get the oldest slowest least resourced machine in the office?????!!!!!) meant that I learnt to dispose of pretty desktops, large screen savers, 'sounds' (Win 3.1 just stopped utile the sound was finished!), unnecessary background processes, etc, to grab as many resources as I could manage to keep the little boxes working! And I had to test out the SW that would crash on the big machines - which is how I discovered the 'unknown' max file size limit in Excel! :-) That first link to the opera stuff is broken, btw. 404. I wasted ages digging thru that second link a week ago thanks.... everybody seems to want to play with HTML lists of urls, not bunches of individual 'Internet Shortcut Files'....
[link fixed-he left out one bracket] |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:18 AM (#1971477) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: English Jon I love my mac. |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:23 AM (#1971481) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "A clumsy workaround for Foolestroupe's desktop shortcuts:" played that game - it's a thorough PITA... which is WHY I asked.... :-) "I didn't check to see if it overwrites the first shortcut if you make another without changing the shortcut name" Can answer that one straight off - it appends a " (2)" (number increases automagically!) to the end of the shortcut! It even does that if you do the right click trick more than once on the same page! :-) That's why it LOOKS like it was "MickeyCrap Designed"!!!! :-) |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:25 AM (#1971483) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "I love my mac." So do I at the moment - Yeah, it has been raining a bit for a change here... :-) |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:41 AM (#1971496) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas And Foolestroupe used to have to walk to school, barefoot in the snow, over broken glass and cockleburs, dragging the stubborn mule his li'l sister got to ride, up hill both ways, against the wind and the sleet; and had to hurry to get home and milk the goats before it got too dark to do his homework with a piece of charcoal on the back of a shovel in front of the flickering fire ... Ah yes, those were the good old days and I remember it all just like he does. I tell my kids about it frequently too. I think the method is understood, and it makes excellent sense if it's what works for you. John |
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18 Feb 07 - 08:56 AM (#1971507) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "I tell my kids about it frequently too." ... as I believed my grandparents telling me that too.. .... and your kids don't believe you ... what? are kids gettig smarter thse days? |
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18 Feb 07 - 10:51 AM (#1971578) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bill D Well, I'm impressed! Foolestroupe really DOES have a lot of computer background. So much so that he is able to adapt Win 3.1 techniques to XP and accomplish in 7-8 roundabout steps what I usually do in 2-3. But hey...as John says, if it works for you, it works. *grin* (uphill...both ways!) Interesting....I tested that " copy the URL from the address bar - ... Right click on the desktop, select "New" and then "Shortcut." trick, and put a link to this thread directly on my desktop. I'm SURE I never did anything like that before. I also doubt I'll ever need to do it again, but it's part of learning what CAN be done, and maybe the information will come in handy some day. (BTW, for saving an entire web site..as opposed to single pages, as one can do right from the browser menu....http://www.httrack.com/ is one of the most amazing programs ever. (You knew I'd have a program, ...right?) It will create an exact copy of a site...or single page...for offline browsing. It can even be set to save ONLY one type of file...like .jpg or .mp3. I originally used it for copying Bruce Olson's site when it was not clear who would keep it safe.) |
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18 Feb 07 - 02:24 PM (#1971776) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: JohnInKansas For saving a web page, I've found that the .mht archive format is a lot cleaner than .htm, but I'm afraid I haven't looked to see what it does with attachments if you tried to use it for emails. Most of my favorite sites for which I'd like to save the whole site are multi GigaByte, and my connection is good for about 2.8 kbit/sec (an average). I doubt if the program would help me much there, since I can't seem to stay connected for more than a couple of hours at a time. But I think we discussed that in another thread ... . John |
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18 Feb 07 - 06:19 PM (#1971975) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe "accomplish in 7-8 roundabout steps what I usually do in 2-3." Which is WHY I'm loking for a 'right-click plugin in'.... :-P Bill - after tryinga few such apps - I currently use "Free Download Manager" ver 2.1 "Free Download Manager (FDM) is a full-featured download accelerator and manager. It is absolutely free! Using this software product you can easily download a list of files and whole web sites from any remote server via HTTP, HTTPS and FTP. With FDM the downloading process will be as easy as never before! FDM is a light-weight, powerful and easy-to-use application. Also this software product is well-known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. FDM can function as a site manager, accelerator, site explorer and scheduler. FDM can resume broken downloads. So you needn't start the downloading process from the very beginning after casual interruption. You can resume unfinished download from the moment when it was interrupted. Also this program warns you if resuming isn't supported by the servers. It allows you to make a decision about the downloading. So with FDM you save your time and money. FDM is an indispensable tool for download acceleration. It splits files into several sections and then downloads them simultaneously allowing you to increase your download speed up to 600%. This software application can be used in automatic mode. You can schedule the following operations: set or hang up the Internet connection, exit from the program and shutdown the computer. All the operations mentioned above can be set at the specified time. FDM allows adjusting traffic usage. So it provides you with an opportunity to browse web pages much faster if you use a low connection speed. NEW! Free Download Manager is not only the perfect downloader, but also social software designed to make surfing and downloading a safer and more rewarding experience. FDM users can now request the opinion of other community members on the file they are going to download right from the download window, and also leave their own opinion about the downloaded file. In this way FDM users will always be warned against useless or malicious files. Read more about this opportunity on our Community Features page. System requirements: In order to use FDM, you must have one of the following operating systems and browsers installed on your computer: Microsoft Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP Internet Explorer 5.0 and above. " |
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18 Feb 07 - 06:46 PM (#1971995) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Bill D well...I have heard mixed reviews about freedownloadmanager. Some like it a lot...some have issues with the details...but it seems to do what it needs to. There are several on this page that are highly recommended by those who specialize in evaluating freeware. I have used two of them and done fine. DLExpert is my favorite of the group. But if you are doing ok, I wouldn't bother looking, unless like me, you just like to try stuff. Right now, I am using the last free version of Net Transport, which is amazing, but has gone payware. |
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20 Feb 07 - 07:15 PM (#1974314) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: Houston_Diamond Quote: From: Foolestroupe - PM Date: 17 Feb 07 - 06:50 AM With regard to browsers: I still like MSIE (V6 is last one to work on 98SE) The ONE thing I like, and want to keep, but do not seem to be able to find is the ability to drop the shortcut directly on the desktop, form where I move to where I want. I haven't used "Favourites" for so long, because I can never FIND anything in there... Tried latest version of Opera 9.10 - same hassle - is there any plugin for ANY browser (I would LIKE tabs, etc) that does this? Robin Under file menu on IE7 (I think it's on IE6 too) you have "Send" as an option where you can send to desktop (creating a shortcut). Another method is to copy your URL hit the windows key(if you have one) and D key together to display the desktop (think that still works in Windows 98) or minimise all your windows to show your desktop, right click and choose new where the option to create a shortcut will appear and then you can paste (ctrl+v) your URL in the shortcut name. after clicking next it should be on your desktop!!! :) |
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20 Feb 07 - 08:34 PM (#1974406) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: The Fooles Troupe Houston, thanks, I know all those MSIE tricks (the second one has already been suggested above) too - my problem is not with MSIE, but wanting to move to another browser, preferably in Linux and to keep that 'one click drop on desktop' simplicity... |
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21 Feb 07 - 04:26 AM (#1974615) Subject: RE: Tech: Grumble.. Windows Internet Explorer 7 From: dermod in salisbury By the way, Houston Diamond, if your printer does not pick up all the text on screen, the problem lies with your settings. Try this link http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/1354
-Joe Offer- |