Browsing For Apples

Entrepreneur, Nov, 2000 by Cassandra Cavanah

Another good advantage My Sidebar offers is an index of search results that doesn't disappear when you access a link and are sent to the requested site in the main window. You are able to choose from any number of popular search services or just use the default Google search engine.

Netscape 6 has a very different look and feel that previous versions of the browser had. The toolbar at the top of the page offers big icons for the standard "forward," "back," "reload" and "stop" buttons. The lack of customization for the toolbars-you can't use text instead of the large icons-may leave some users suffering terribly from a lack of screen real estate and wishing for the wide-open spaces of Netscape 4.6.

The bottom line? Both programs are worth a look. And, as we pointed out earlier, they're free! Surfers with a predisposition to AOL will surely appreciate Netscape's easy-to-access Instant Messaging capabilities. All in all, though, Microsoft still leads the browser wars with its latest offering. IE 5.0 is a more flexible browser than Netscape 6 and provides all the ease-of-use and customization you've come to expect in the Microsoft line of products.

Cassandra Cavanab is a Los Angeles freelance writer who has reported on the computer industry for nine years.

WEB SITE: www.windowstracker.com

Are you using the most up-to-date software? Software-makers continually issue bugs, patches and revisions-Microsoft, for one, seems to issue updates weekly--and you could regularly troll the home pages of all the programs you run. Or just stop in at WindowsTracker for one-stop updating. Type in the name of a program and-whoosh-you'll be presented with any available updates. It's fast and convenient. Mac users don't despair: Get your easy updates at www.versiontracker.com.

--Robert McGarvey

WISE BUYS $

$ Souped-up instant messaging: AOL's Instant Messaging is fun when clowning around with your buddies online, but it's not the type of tool you want your employees using to discuss your latest business news. That's why SoftBase has introduced NetLert, an enterprise instant messaging solution that lets organizations communicate amongst themselves. With NetLert, users can chat across the globe or just across cubicles--without leaving their desks or making ong-distance phone calls. If you have a call center, NetLert will allow your customer service reps to communicate amongst themselves and find an answer, without putting the call on hold. You can test the software out for free at www.netlert.com, but the full version is $995 (street) for 25 users. Call (800) 669-7076 for more details.

$ Don't miss a thing: If the phone message system at your office is out of control, PHONEslips may be just the software you're looking for. With PHONEslips, you can manage phone messages, memos, e-mail, address books, schedules and to-do lists for everyone in the office. When messages are sent, users will receive instant notification on their machines and will be able to archive messages for future retrieval-a bonus if you've ever misplaced a message slip. If you're a Palm user, you can also download all your messages and other pertinent PHONEslips information to your Palm, giving you on-the-road access to all your messaging. For a 30-day trial,