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Microsoft
Kicks Off Countdown to Internet Explorer 5 Launch With a "Reserve Your Copy
Early" Offer
Customer Excitement Builds for Broad Availability of
Browser That Works Faster to Save Users Time REDMOND, Wash. - Feb. 22, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today
kicked off the countdown to the launch of Microsoft® Internet
Explorer 5 by offering customers the opportunity to preorder Internet Explorer 5
through the Reserve Your Copy Early program. Starting today, customers can
preorder Internet Explorer 5 to avoid the anticipated download demand and ensure
they will be among the first to receive the next version of Microsoft browser
software on CD-ROM. Internet Explorer 5, scheduled to be available on the Web
worldwide starting March 18, 1999, is the browser that saves users time by
simplifying and automating common Web tasks. "Customer interest in Internet Explorer 5 has been
unprecedented to date, with beta downloads outpacing Internet Explorer 4.0 beta
downloads by more than three to one," said Yusuf Mehdi, director of Windows®
marketing at Microsoft. "We're on the road to delivering a browser that
will make it significantly easier to use the Web, and we are excited to offer
customers the opportunity to preorder their copy now." Users can preorder the Internet Explorer 5 CD-ROM on the
Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
for $6.95 (U.S.), or by calling (800) 485-2048. The CDs are scheduled to be sent
directly from Microsoft to customers shortly after the launch of Internet
Explorer 5. Broadest Availability of Internet Explorer Yet Microsoft is also pleased to announce that on March 18, 1999,
Internet Explorer 5 will be immediately available on the Web to the broadest
range of customers to date. For the first time, Microsoft will simultaneously
deliver Internet Explorer for the Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows NT®
3.51, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 3.1, Sun Solaris and HP-UX operating systems. In
addition, Microsoft will be delivering Internet Explorer 5 in 10 languages at
launch, with 16 additional language versions to be made available in the weeks
following. Internet Explorer 5 will also be available for PC makers to
preinstall on their machines and will be included in the Windows 98 retail
package. Internet Explorer 5 Delivers What Customers Want Customers using the Internet Explorer 5 beta have already
noticed significant improvements in their browsing experience. "The overall
performance of the Internet Explorer 5 beta has been impressive, and I'm looking
forward to the delivery of the final version," said R. Leverette, an
Internet Explorer 5 beta tester. "Internet Explorer 5 is helping me make
more efficient use of my time on the Web by making tasks such as searching and
organizing information easier than ever." Hundreds of common tasks such as searching, navigating,
organizing and accessing information anywhere have been simplified and automated
in Internet Explorer 5 to dramatically improve the overall browsing experience.
In a recent Microsoft survey, over 93 percent of respondents stated that they
are satisfied with these new simplicity features and find them directly relevant
to their daily browsing needs. The final release of Internet Explorer 5 will be available for
free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
(connect-time charges may apply) beginning March 18, 1999. Additional
information about Microsoft Internet Explorer can also be found there. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide
range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of
their respective owners. Copyright (C)
1998-1999 The Active Network. All rights reserved.
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