I almost NEVER use Interner Explorer but there are a very few sites I visit that seem to perform better if I use it. Today I launched IE and received the message that a new version (5.5) was available. So, I went through the drill, downloaded and installed it. After the digital dust settled I find that the sneaky program has hijacked all the Netscape shortcuts I created, turning them into Internet Explored short cuts instead. Adding insult to injury, the process by which those shortcuts were created (right click on desktop, select “New”, then the Netscape command line icon, which has disappeared) no longer works. I suppose IE has also now established itself as my “default” browser. HOW DARE Mr. Moneybags do this to me?? How do I go about getting Netscape back as my default browser and rebuild my Netscape shortcuts? Moreover, how do we get the point across to MicroScoff that we are mad as Hell and we’re not gonna take this anymore?
Go get the new Mozilla (Netscape, before AOL screws it up). You’ll be pleasantly surprised, and it’ll probably ask if you want it to be your default when you install it.
As for getting the message through to Mr Bill, just don’t use IE. Ever. And for god’s sake, never ever ever trust any program from MS to respect that your computer is your own.
When installing, you have to watch for those sneaky “opt-out” choices. The default is that IE will usurp everything – including your entire Windows – if you let it.
There is a way to replace IE as your “default browser.” Can anybody walk us through that?
Try installing Netscape 6 and see if that helps.
Is Netscape 6 finally out and stable? I thought it was still in Beta or Alpha!
I’m interested ever since that major security hole in Netscape was discovered (the one that allows any appropriately written applet to serve out your hard drive to the web) Unfortunately there are only two graphical browsers for Linux at the moment - at least to my knowledge, Netscape and Opera.
Pity Opera is even more of an Alpha then Netscape…
To be fair, while the new version of Navagator may not do this, older versions definatly did the exact same thing. Don’t know which started it, but both would steal default status without asking you. So your wrath, while it may be justified in general, is misplaced in this case.
The software industry isn’t the frendliest of competitive markets. 'Swhat makes it so much fun to watch. You can admire market and technical manuvers, without being botherd by petty little things like sympathy and ethics, because with very very few exceptions, everyone deserves whatever terrible things happen to them. 
Did Opera ever come out with a convenient way of switching between several open, maximized browser windows? If so, I might give it another shot.
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“If you run a worm farm, don’t raise evil, flesh eating millipedes by mistake.”
I hate software that hijacks half your computer without asking. Having said that, I just undo whatever I don’t like. It’s not such a big deal. In Windows explorer click View / Options/ File types and assign whatever defaults you prefer.
Netscape 6 beta 2 is now out. You can download it from here:
http://dms-www1.netcenter.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/mcp?p=63JCh03JD951yEyY01200W5PGte
Just do not try to uninstall the new IE. It take all of your DLL’s with it. For those not familier with DLLs (Dynamic Link Library) they make your OS function. Hell, they make your PC function.
Result here: Three days down time. Couldnt access any drives at all, not even the CD.
Good software installer behavior:
a) Any previously existing files are placed in a folder on the Desktop in subfolders replicating their previous location on the hard drive or with a text file explaining where they had been removed from, instead of simply erasing or overwriting them
b) An installer log (text file) is created detailing every file installed, and where.
c) Any settings or preferences changed by the installer are documented in the installer log, including details of any old settings that were overwritten or replaced.
d) Allows for a custom install in which you can specify which files to install and where, and which files to pass on installing.
e) Can perform an installation of software to be run when booted from a different copy of the operating system (i.e., different hard drive, different computer on the network, etc) by letting the user pick the System Folder (Mac) or Windows or NT directory (PC) to designate as the home OS folder for purposes of this installation.
f) Has a built-in uninstaller that can read from the install log and restore all files and settings to their pre-install condition, not just yank out installed files.