Microsoft Ireland has released its free new browser, Internet Explorer 4.0 (IE 4.0), onto the Irish market. The up-dated browser is part of a major move by Microsoft to obtain a larger share of the Irish and international market, at the expense of rivals such as Netscape Communications.
The main Internet service providers (ISPs) in Ireland will distribute the browser to their existing and new users.
The ISPs will provide local active desktop channels for IE 4.0 to operate and will have the opportunity to offer their own news, entertainment and information services directly to their users on the browser. Ireland On-Line is to provide a new service called Channel Ireland, which is a mix of domestic and business news.
Internet Ireland is to launch two Internet channels directly through the browser, they are Irish Money News and Irish Sport.
The radio station, 2FM, also plans to launch an entertainment channel on IE 4.0. Visitors to the site will be able to sample graphics, see the latest films through Newshow, and tune into news, information "and gossip from around the globe", according to Labyrinth, the channel's developer.
Creative Online Media has developed the Northern Ireland Globalgateway (GGTV), a channel on life in the North, with showpieces on the tourist board, Belleek Pottery and Belfast Airport, which has "a real-time feed".
"This has live flight information updated every 30 seconds which is delivered to the desktop using the new `push' technology," said Mr John Morrow, the company's business development manager. Microsoft Ireland's worldwide product group has been working on the conversion of IE 4.0 into 26 languages over the last nine months. Over 130 Microsoft staff were involved in the localisation work.
"IE 4.0 introduces a new avenue for delivering the content from the Internet direct to your desktop," said Microsoft's Internet customer unit manager, Mr Kieran McDonnell.
Among the ISPs who have agreed to distribute IE 4.0 as their default browser are EUnet, Indigo, Internet Ireland, Ireland OnLine and TINET. Leading PC manufacturers, including Compaq, Dell, Digital, Gateway 2000 and HewlettPackard, will package all new desktop and portable PCs with the browser.
The majority of analysts say Microsoft is likely to increase its position in the world browser market, currently at about 30 per cent, as a result of updating Internet Explorer.
The browser market is crucial because it is emerging as an alternative platform to the Windows operating system which forms the basis for Microsoft's industry dominance.
Test versions of the Internet Explorer 4.0, the first major update in more than a year, have been circulating widely on the Internet since April.
Internet Explorer 4.0 supports a wide range of Internet standards, including HTML 4.0, Dynamic HTML, Java, Active X.
All the service providers will be able to customise the browser to the specific needs of their users and to create a strong brand identity, according to Microsoft.
The slogan to be used in the marketing of Internet Explorer 4.0 is "the web the way you want it".
Mr Barry Rhodes, marketing manager of one ISP, Eunet Ireland, said the launch of the new programme was a step further towards steamlining an organisation's Internet solution.
Internet Explorer 4.0 is available over the Internet at: http:// www.microsoft.com/ireland
