Features

Please keep in mind that the feature set of Internet Explorer 4.0 is not final and could be modified from what is listed below. If you know of a feature that is not listed here, please send an e-mail to let me know.

128-bit Encryption
All domestic and export versions of IE 4.0 will have this powerful encryption to protect online financial transactions.

3-D Viewer
3-D viewer technology from Intervista Software. The 3-D technology is based on VRML.

Active Channels
Defined topic areas on the Active Desktop. You can group information sources into different channels and have them download automatically. Uses the CDF and XML formats submitted to the W3C. Notable premium channels include Pointcast, MSN, and MSNBC among many.

Active Desktop
The name given to the combination of the browser and the desktop. The browser is the the desktop and the desktop is the browser. Also features custom content brought down directly to the desktop.

Active Setup
Combines downloading and installation. If the download or install fails at any time during the procedure, users can pick up again at the stopping point.

AutoComplete
A new method for accessing favorite sites by typing in the address box. Recalls previously accessed URLs as they are typed.

Desktop Components
HTML frames that behave similar to the taskbar in that they can be docked to any edge of the screen, popped out as a floating window, or made always-on-top.

Dynamic HTML
Formerly known by the code named Trident and originally planned as part of IE 5.0. Extensions to HTML that allow you to create dynamic web pages with little coding and allows the HTML to be updated while users are viewing it. You can change fonts, colors, insert more text, remove text, and more, all by updating the page the user has already downloaded. You can move items such as images around a page based on absolute X,Y coordinates. All the features of Dynamic HTML can be done without downloading a new page and without any ActiveX controls.

File Uploading
Using forms, IE 4.0 will be able to upload files like Netscape Navigator.

FrontPad
HTML editing tool, modeled on FrontPage, that is aimed at simple HTML document creation. Used to create customized views of the desktop, folders, and other elements of the new Web View interface.

Internet Shortcuts Enhancements
With added HTML code on a web site, Internet Shortcuts will track the description of the site, the author of the site, when the site was last updated, and what is new on the site. The number of times you have visited the web site will also be tracked. This information will be in the Properties window of the shortcut.

Hover Select
When the mouse pointer passes over icons, they are automatically selected and underlined. The type turns blue and the pointer turns into a hand. No clicking is necessary to select an icon and instead of a double-click, a single click launches applications and opens documents and folders.

HTML 4.0
Support for the latest proposal from the W3C. Includes updates to forms, frames, and tables and many other enhancements.

HTML Help
New format for help files. Replacement for the proprietary .hlp files.

Java VM with AFC
Application Foundation Classes, libraries that offer prebuilt code for creating elements of the user interface for Java applications, will be included in IE 4.0 along with an updated Java virtual machine. The new VM will include support for optional capabilities based access, this allows the user to limit applets by not deciding between all or nothing when approving an applet for use on their system. Also includes J/Direct technology.

JScript 3.0
The JScript engine will be updated to make it compatible with the new ECMA Script standard. The VBScript engine will also be updated.

Offline Reading
Improved reading of web pages when not connected to the Internet. Utilized by Web Check. Also called Subscriptions.

Open Profiling Standard
Sets up procedures enabling a web site to tell users about its data collection practices before the user enters the web site. Also allows a user to tell a web site about their privacy preferences before entering.

Package Management
Enables distribution of Java applets, scripts, HTML components, and ActiveX controls through one integrated pipeline to the desktop.

Printing Improvements
Drag-and-drop printing as well as enhanced frames and tables printing. Also, background printing and selective printing, which allows users to print only portions of a document.

IE 4.0 will also utilize recursive pages, meaning that when a user prints an HTML page with a table of contents, the browser will automatically print the linked pages in the table of contents.

Microsoft has also been working to enhance web authorship, which would allow web authors to code pages for optimum printing.

Schedule Agent
A system applet that allows you to schedule when programs run. An advanced version of System Agent, an applet included with Microsoft Plus. Used with WebCheck.

Search Bar
Lets users see search engine results and web pages on the same screen.

Security Enhancements
Authenticode 2.0 with security for ActiveX controls and Java applets. Plus security zones to designate various security levels for different areas of the Internet/Intranet.

Smart Favorites
In the background IE 4.0 can check to see which of your Favorites links have been updated since you last visited. A red dot appears on the icon of those that have changed. Tool-tips tell you what is new (if the page author adds a special META tag) and when the page was last updated.

Start Menu Enhancements
The Start Menu now has main menu item for Favorites. Proper drag-and-drop editing is implemented, so you can drag items around between the menus or to and from Explorer windows.

Early IE 4.0 alphas had a Browse the Web option with three branches. Start Page opens your browser to the home page you have chosen. Search the Web calls up your browser and your preferred search engine. Smart Favorites features WebCheck and monitors web pages in your Favorites folder or on your desktop and automatically notifies you of changes to these pages.

Taskbar Enhancements
The new taskbar is a customizable, dockable container for Office 97-style coolbars. It can be configured with shortcuts, web links, scripts, web pages, and practically anything else you want.

Wallet
Built in method for conducting transactions online. Aimed to make shopping more seamless and transparent to the end user.

WebCheck
Part of Smart Favorites. You can have WebCheck do its monitoring either at specified times or whenever your system is idle via the System Agent. It updates Channels and any web pages you have specified. This will allow you to read the information from your desktop channels, and your favorite sites while you are not even connected to the Internet.

Web View
A fifth file-viewing option along with the current Large Icons, Small Icons, List, and Details. Enabling Web View turns your interface into the Active Desktop.

Dynamic HTML

Take a look at some dynamic HTML samples and resources.

Outlook Express

Check out the features of Outlook Express, the successor to Internet Mail and News.